From October 24th to 27th, WCMC held a four-day, three-night retreat at the scenic El Rancho in Waikanae. This was our first church camp since the worker’s retreat at the 2019 annual meeting, and everyone had been looking forward to it with great anticipation. Nearly 80 brothers and sisters participated, including 10 youths and 12 children from the children’s ministry. The campsite was filled with laughter and warm interactions.
We were especially grateful to have Rev. Dr. Samuel Goh as our speaker. Taking “What’s the Relationship?” as his theme, he used the wisdom of Ecclesiastes to thoughtfully guide us in reflecting on our relationships with God, the world, the church, and other people. His messages were relatable, easy to understand, and sparked much reflection and resonance. Themes such as “A Mere Vapor,” “A Plate-Spinning Life,” “The Extraordinary in the Ordinary,” “Cherishing the Present,” and “A Joyful Heart is Good Medicine” provided the brothers and sisters with new spiritual insights and helped build deeper connections through fellowship with one another.
Even more remarkable was witnessing God’s evident blessing and care. The Thursday before the retreat was marked by stormy winds and heavy rain, as if reminding us to come before God with humble hearts. Then, from Friday through Monday, the weather suddenly cleared, with sunshine accompanying us throughout every meeting, outdoor activity, and game. Just as the retreat concluded and everyone began their journeys home, the rain began to fall again—as if God Himself was drawing the perfect closing mark on this journey.
