Greetings prayer warriors!

Hope you had a “super” weekend : ). I enjoyed visiting Four Corners Assemblies of God in White Lake, WI on Sunday. It was great to reconnect with so many Key Clubbers! I’m encouraged by your faithfulness and continued support! Thank you!

I’d like to share a praise point with you from last week. My dad arrived in Balad, Iraq on Tuesday with no problems! He’s getting settled into life there quickly and seems to be doing well. He was able to spend time with my brother in Qatar, so we’re all very thankful for that!

This week, I’d like to introduce you to another student. Josh started coming to Quest as a junior higher. He and his twin brother, quickly became regulars to the group. I asked Josh to share about his experience with Quest. “Quest helped me grow closer to Jesus. Being around so many people who shared the same love for Christ that I did was cool. When I had problems, I had people to talk to.” His favorite aspect of youth group? “The trips [retreats] were really fun and a major highlight for me.” In fact, it was on a retreat that Josh really solidified his relationship with Jesus!

Of course retreats are jammed packed with fun and wild games, no homework or bed making, and great camp food; but that’s not the only reasons teens love the getaways. Retreats are a great place for students to build deep bonds with peers, staff and Jesus. They are a place where students can get away from all the noise of life and focus their hearts on God. Some of the best and deepest conversations that I’ve ever had with students, happened over late night camp chats. Retreats are a safe place where students can pour their hearts out, and wrestle with tough things ... like friend problems, parent and sibling issues, deployments, moving, saying good bye to friends, and the biggest question of all, where do I stand with Jesus? Although some of these conversations are emotionally hard to engage in, as many students are carrying very heavy burdens, it’s such a privilege and honor to listen and point them to Jesus.

This week, the Malachi team in Germany is preparing for Escape, their biggest junior high retreat of the year. Several hundred middle schoolers are already counting down the hours to this weekend because they are stoked for Escape! Will you join me in praying for this retreat? I asked one of the Malachi gals over there to share a few prayer requests for Escape.

1. Logistics - getting a couple hundred teens and staff to one place is challenging! Also, please pray for decent weather and safety as the travel to the retreat site.
2. For the staff - good health and lots of energy! Also, pray for wisdom and boldness as they engage with students about spiritual things.
3. For the students - open hearts! Pray that God would be softening their hearts in preparation for the weekend and pray that students would respond to the Word. Pray that this would be a profound weekend for students, just as it was for Josh!

Thanks for your prayers team!
For the Gospel,
Beth

^ Group picture @ a junior high retreat in Okinawa! "Where's Waldo" - can you find me??