On Saturday, July 21, 2012, at 11:00 am, the families of Emmanuel Church headed to Dhour Shoueir to have their family retreat in Ayn Assiss.
After registration, dinner was served. Ms. A. Baboghlanian led the opening worship service. Mrs. Vera Svajian (the guest speaker) shared the message about enthusiasm. The first subject that she presented was entitled "Enthusiasm in your spiritual life" - enthusiasm through introspection, discipline and working to stay awake with prayer and conversation with God, enthusiasm through the renewal of your spiritual life with quiet time with God and studying the Bible with a small group, and keeping yourself accountable.
After the message, we divided to four groups and studied the theme.
The social time was led by Mr. Sh. Goetcherian (General Knowledge Contest on the Bible), Mr. P. Mamigonian (harmonica) and Mr. & Mrs. A. & D. Ovigians (games).
On Sunday, July 22, after the breakfast, the group attended the Arab Presbyterian Church in Mrouj. Ms. A. Baboghlanian led the worship and Mrs. V. Svajian gave the sermon. Attending the worship service also were a youth group from the Lutheran Church, from Denmark.
After lunch, Mrs. V. Svajian brought the 2nd message about "enthusiasm in the work of the Lord", stressing that the church is the body of Christ, we are called to be servants, to bring everything before God, there are no big or small servants, to recognize the needs of the church and attune to His calling.
After the message, we had a break for refreshments. After the break, we had a Bible study in four groups.
After the thankful words from the pastor, Rev. H. Svajian, and the Lord’s Prayer, the participants returned to the Emmanuel Church campus at 5:30 pm. We thank Mrs. V. Svajian, the Church’s secretary and every person on the program. The number of participants of the camp was 48, together with 15 children.
Praise God.
