Going for a ‘retreat’ is actually not my cup of tea. I just happened to take the form because my friend Justin said so (whom I am thankful to after the whole experience). I hadn’t even seen the form until a day before the retreat when something kept telling me that it’s something worth experiencing in life and so I immediately got in touch with Fr. Danny and got myself registered.
The day arrived.
The first day at Vinalaya was however a “SOS” or “GET ME OUTTA HERE” kind of day. But the amazing sessions given to us and the energetic praise and worship did keep us thinking it’s just the first day and I’ve come here by my own choice. However I still didn’t know the purpose as to why I had come… but I held on to that little hope I still had…. you know....as they say..God works in His ways.
The second day…whoo ! what a day !
A day of Penance and Confession and Inner healing .An unforgettable moment of experiencing God’s presence among us all .Of letting all our scars of the past be healed and beginning anew, Of letting go all the sorrows , Of learning to forgive. The experience was however different…
The third day…
A day of experiencing and being filled with the Holy Spirit. A day we all thanked God for everything in our lives and prayed asking the Holy Spirit to teach us to pray more often . A day of thanksgiving and the Holy Spirit room in our hearts.
And this was the day I finally realized the reason as to why I had come. There was something I had to mend. A relationship to mend . Something which took me 2 years gave me all my answers in 3 days…
So I take this small opportunity to tell all my friends that even if you have that slight feeling that probably it could just be nice then please go (even if it meant because all your friends are going and you’re just going to have fun).. that’s a reason good enough for god to understand and you will believe like I did for if given another opportunity I’d close my eyes and go.. yes again and again and again..
- Enid Mendonca