This is the testimony i gave after the Devon Retreat:

Hello everyone,

Having seen a few more people starting to write, i thought i would also have my say.(a high standard to reach) reading the amount of words you all have written.

I have been excited about the Devon retreat for quite a while and now that time has flown by, it is over.i wish we could have stayed a little longer.
ok..

Waking up early in the morning, excited to go to the retreat. Here comes Manna and Thames. Starting the journey..

I really enjoyed this Devon Retreat, Growing Together with this wonderful family( i would like to call).It has made me felt really comfortable talking to anyone in the housegroup now and it has certainly made relationships closer.It has helped me gain confidence.

I had loads of fun jumping on the trampoline together with Manna, Evon, Linda.(although it only says one person at a time).
I also enjoyed sharing the same room with evon and my sisters, and having Manna coming round, disturbing us and sharing our beds.(girl talk)
I also enjoyed playing speed with Linda. All the different games that we played were really good espicially on the last night, where we played Heart Attack, i thought that was the funniest.
Swimming with Manna and Linda was fun as well. Wished more people could join us.

I particulary enjoyed rehearsing for the Talent Night.Thanking Aunty Jenny, Canun, Thames and Gladys. It was really great as we all played a part in it and contributed fairly. Canun and his funny ideas and ( his laughter before he can tell his idea.." Oh YEAH i got a really good one!").

Thanks for.....

Thank you Mum(Ruth) and Gladys for cooking the meals. It was yummy.

Thank you Antoni for orgainsing this retreat, it has certainly refreshed our housegroup relationship into having a relationship of one that is close and like a family.

Thank you Ginny, Dad and others for telling jokes and making everyone laugh during meals.

Thank you Aunty Jenny for teaching us the Barn Dance. I am sure everyone envies her enthusiasm in everything she does from dancing to washing and cleaning up.

Thank you Widi, Boris and Thames for doing the BBQ althoough it was not that COOKED.

The diccusions and talks really helped me into understanding more of what fellowship is really meant for and about mission. The worship songs have touched my heart and has lifted my spirits and brought me closer to God. This Retreat has definately taught me that everyone should have fellowship together with one another and most importantly have a continuosly close relationship with God. The writing of each others spiritual gifts was good in a way that it has helped me realised the gifts i have ,that i did not know before. I did not aspect to have quite a few gifts knowing that i am the youngest in the housegroup. One of which is childlike faith. I will try to encouge others with my child like faith.It also has made me stop to think of others' spiritual gifts and realising that God has actually given each of us special gifts to help each other grow together in unity with diversities.

I have more brothers and sisters , fathers and mothers now, and i thank God for how he has provided me with all this people since coming into england with no friends to having soo many friends.

I think we should do this again next year.

love in Christ,
Vania