This years spring conference was amazing as usual.   It is so great to spend time with the JV family here and to see people I have not seen in quite a while.   Of course the week was filled with catching up with one another, the good and bad things that have been going on the last year.  It was a time for encouragement and for tears as some we love are leaving to go back to the States.  I write JV family and that is because it truly feels like family!

The theme for this conference was Relentless.   The whole week we were discussing God’s relentless pursuit of us. The talks were in two parts, in the morning it was more practical, how to preach a good sermon, by focusing on Grace.   In the evening it was about God’s relentless pursuit of us.  I was very encouraged by this!  During the week the JV Kids were working on stories together.  Each student wrote a story about their life and experience as a Third Culture Kid.  The stories will be compiled into one book and will be on amazon, I believe.   It was really amazing to listen to their stories.  They have such vibrant lives full of trials, successes, and things learned that most people never learn even in their adult lives.

The Spring Conference also provides an opportunity to spend time with the JV kids.  We did three things together during the week.  I was able to take Jayce and Gavin out to spend time together.  We went for sodas and drove around exploring.  It was fun to spend time with these guys as always, and to encourage them and hear what is going on in their lives.  We also went to do a bowling night with all of the older kids.  The bowling alley was very low quality, but the kids had a lot of fun.  It is so amazing to be with this group and see the joy they have.  Finally one of the traditions we do when we are together is play Star wars Mafia.  The kids love this and have been passing it down for a couple of years now to the younger kids.