On the afternoon of the 11 September 2019, a group of students jumped on a bus to go away on a trip that would separate them from their peers and their families but in exchange bring them closer to Jesus, unaware of the fact that the next time they got off that bus they would enter the RPCS community as a family of enabled, motivated and changed leaders. This year’s prefect retreat was truly one for the books. Scheduled a little differently than previous years, the teachers were unsure whether it would work as well but the prefect body will gladly tell you that it worked out well. We were still challenged with questions of self-reflection and were able to learn more about ourselves as individuals before learning about ourselves as leaders. This year, the prefects were given the opportunity to enter into a time of individual worship and prayer with as well as communal prayer for each other. Among the prefects there was a sort of bubble around us, in which there were no awkward moments and we knew we were in a safe space to share our life experiences, the things that made us who we are today; the good, the bad and the ugly. Prefects were able to bond over the small things like common interests and fun games as well as relate with each other over the bigger things like hardships and brokenness. One of the things that Mrs. Dawson said on this trip went something like this, “most of the time the prefects are the ones expected to always have everything together when the truth is that’s just not how it works”. That reminder of the fact we are only human, and that life can get very hard at times, I think enabled a lot of the prefects to let go of some stuff that was holding us down. It allowed us to let Christ come deeper into our hearts and fix the cracks and brokenness that only his love can mend. This year’s prefect retreat was one full of laughs, tears and unforgettable moments. It enabled us with tools we need to be inspired by our ultimate leader in Christ and become great leaders to others. To be given the opportunity to go away and be separated from the busyness of life and loud noise that at many times blocks out our ability to hear God speaking to us when we need it most, is a true blessing. It allows us to be in a simple place of quiet and stillness, where our minds and hearts were free to dwell in the love and warmth of Jesus. I believe this time away was essential for the prefects to learn, grow and leave equipped and motivated to serve the RPCS community as leaders, influenced by the ministry of Jesus and ready to be just as influential to others.
Operation Christmas Child
