Oak Tree Project 3rd Annual Retreat

Oak Tree Project just wrapped up it’s 5th year of existence with our 3rd annual retreat. This year rather than all staying together in one location (hard to find a place that will fit all of us), we instead split up into five groups and stayed at five different apartments (two of them airbnbs). We had a group cooking challenge and then discussion and games afterward. In the morning we gathered altogether to present what we made, write reflections from the year, and pray for the graduating students. It was a blessed time! Before I share pictures from the retreat, here are some of the things the students shared in their reflections…

• Many of the kids were sharing that they felt safe with their mentor and with Oak Tree Project to be vulnerable and open up and still be accepted and loved.
• Some of the kids shared that they feel the closest to their mentors than anyone else. For some of them the first person they want to contact is their mentor, before friends or even siblings.
• Some of the mentors shared that they were blessed and ministered to by their students this past year, that it wasn’t just a one way relationship.
• One of our students who just graduated shared that she almost quit school because it was so difficult but thanks to the program and her mentor she was able to learn how to pray, endure, and finish well.
• Another student shared if she hadn’t been on our project she would have likely gone far away from God and gotten with the wrong people. Through Oak Tree Project she has been able to learn about and experience God’s love.
• One student shared that when she visits her children’s home where she grew up she feels like an orphan. But when she attends Oak Tree Project gatherings she feels like family
• A number of the students expressed how they’ve grown with God through Oak Tree Project or shared their interest in learning more about the Gospel, about how to forgive, and other important spiritual topics. This shows that a hunger is growing in a lot of our students. Praise the Lord!

Onto pictures from the retreat!

The retreat started with each group of students and mentors gathering at different grocery stores and needing to purchase dinner, dessert/snacks, and breakfast with about $15 per person (the ministry provided) to make whatever they want. The team with the most teamwork making the tastiest and most unique dish would win a prize (free movie tickets). Here is one of our students with her mentor choosing what to purchase.

Here is another group shopping

The groups then headed to their apartments/airbnbs to cook. These girls happened to be staying at my apartment with Sky and their mentors (I was at another apartment).

Here are two of my boys testing the Rice Cake Soup (Dduk Gook) that they had made. It was delicious!

Shabu Shabu was a popular choice among a few of the groups. Here is how one of the dishes turned out (it’s cooked in broth).

Yoo Sun posing with what they made

This group of boys also made shabu shabu, but in a different way

Each of our staff were planted at the different homes and served as the judges. This group made sure their judge (Sky) felt as comfortable as possible.

This is what my group ended up eating. Delicious!

We went at it. =)

This team won first place… here was their dinner…

And their breakfast…

The winning group

2nd place

After the meal some of the groups played games and other groups had long talks into the night.

These girls played Settlers and then afterward spoke for hours together late into the night and slept only for an hour. They shared their life stories with each other and really got close.

My wife ended up staying up until 4am with two of our students answering their questions about God, faith, relationships, and other things. The activity, the bonding, the sharing, and the playing were all very special. Praise God!

On another note, two students who I have known since they were 10 years old just graduated from college after studying for four years with Oak Tree Project. Here is a picture of one of them from 2006.

She graduated last week with a degree in social welfare. Her grades were excellent and she completed her internships well. I’m so proud of her and I’m excited for her future! She believes in God and is growing with Him. Her mentor did a fantastic job with her and was also present at her graduation. God is so good!