Here are a few pictures below. To see over 1,000 more pictures click here.

With the exception of the first message, the other three have students sharing stories about sharing the Gospel on the beach. Daryl speaks after that portion if you want to fast forward to his message. Be blessed by his story in the third message. So powerful!

I am from driftwood pillaged from Cedar Beach
I am from pink security blankets and plastic chess boards
I am from an ordinary quarter acre lot and smoke from the wood burning fireplace or the vanilla tobacco from my father’s pipe
I am from green, leafy packasandra in the front yard to replace a tree downed by Hurricane Gloria whose growth knows no bounds and takes up all the space intended and more

I am from gold aluminum Hanukkah gelt and drawing comics on my bedroom floor to pass the lonely hours
I am from the strong matriarchs of Grandma Ruth and Great Aunt Pearl and from loud, animated voices with Long Island accents

I am from a people who forgive but never, ever forget — it’s actually our proud, trademarked motto
I am from four hour seders during spring breaks in Florida and from fried matzah brei and Colosseo pizza – best in NY
I am from a driven single mother who earned her Master’s degree while working full time, desperate to gain financial independence and from my great grandparent’s namesake I would stumble upon at a Holocaust Memorial in the Czech Republic

That dream – a visit from Jesus before I was Bat Mitzvahed before I had any idea who He was
I am from the moments of being painfully aware I was adopted being called “vanilla and chocolate ice cream” when with my blonde, white sister, now repeated in adulthood as the mother of an adorable towhead
I am from an outside mismatching an inside, of hundreds of plays, musicals and performances that saved my life by giving me a place to belong and create and dream, and of adoption — once a source of tremendous pain, uncertainty and confusion —  that now takes on a stunning new rubric in the family of God.

We’ve been blessed to be led in worship by an amazing worship band called Run51. Here is a brief taste:

Anthony Gill, who was on the opposing team

Isaiah Wilkins, son of Dominique Wilkins!

and a bonus pic of the winning kickball team from our recent tournament

Here is what one new student wrote as her Facebook status after Fall Retreat:

“On the way home from Westview this afternoon as I was trying to nap, smiles kept creeping up my face as my mind reflected on the last two days. Some of the reasons for the smiles: the Chicken Coop (aka Cabin 3), Shelby Abbott, ice breakers, WORSHIP, costumes, vulnerability, women’s time, bonfires and s’mores and guitars and singing, and feeling the Lord’s presence in my heart like I haven’t for the longest time. So much love for CRU, who are the realest, most encouraging and uplifting people I have ever known. I am so blessed to be in community with you.”

What an incredible endorsement for spending the weekend with Jesus!