Retreats, unfortunately have always been linked with negative connotations in my mind. I generally dread the idea of attending one and it was no different this time round. Waking up at 3 am on a Saturday to attend a flight to Melbourne, where i would sit around for three days going through the same thing, that is, chants of "Praise the Lord" and "Lets sing a song" attached to annoying "action songs", I can assure you it was certainly not how i planned on spending my first real weekend off. However, in hindsight, i would do it all again at the drop of a hat. Instead of writing about every single aspect of the Love Beyond Borders conference, i've decided to mention the three main aspects which made this conference have such a huge impact on my life.
Firstly, the music ministry was one of the best i've seen in a long time (hats off to them!). You know that they were excellent, when they had me standing alone in the front row happily singing aloud, with hand actions raised high in the air, I don't believe any band has made me feel so carefree and the feeling is indescribable. I was surprised when it was revealed that there were only two members from the Rex Band performing at the conference, which made me realise, if this is what they can do with just two of their members, imagine what could be done with the whole band?
One of the best aspects of the conference was definitely the key-note speakers. The two that stick out in my mind were Bishop Christopher Prouse and Mark Nemo. By the end of each of their sessions, they left me wanting to hear more. Never have i seen so many people openly speak about their ups and downs, struggles and joys in a life with and without Christ. Their life experiences reminded of how similar we all are, a human connection in which we are comforted by each others moments of pains and happiness. The words echoed into my life, and the more i listened, the more i could feel God's presence in my life, wanting me to open up and let him take control.
Lastly, and stereotypically not least, i have to say that the greatest moment of the conference was when i saw the power of the youth being united through Christ. I felt a sense of belonging, and more importantly, a sense of hope. Seeing the youth passionately embracing God, allows me to believe that Jesus' love and power is so universal and timeless.
My prayers go out to everyone who couldn't make it to the conference, I pray that you all allow the power and love of Jesus to enter your lives. One of the most important lessons i learnt was that i was putting too much focus and time on things which were leading me onto a dead end. Money, clothes, materialistic goods didn't make me happy, it was a non-lasting and superficial happiness instead at the conference i, for the first time discovered what it felt like to be truly happy, and that's through the peace i found in Jesus, my family and friends. I hope that this 'testimony' has at least given you a slight idea of how the conference impacted me, even though i can truly say that no amount of words can ever fully describe it. I pray that God blesses all of you and your families, and remember Jesus wouldn't have gone through all that pain and suffering if he didn't think we were truly worth it.
Love,
Maryanne Midhu Mukkattu |  |