Annual Healthy Youth Workers Conference, 9. – 10. September 2019
“ How to refill oil into lamps? ”
The dry land is thirsting after life-giving water, the nature needs refreshment to be able to give life. Likewise, our workers need a similar kind of “irrigation” and recharging. They need to refill oil into their lamps, without which they cannot do anything of what they do with full deployment and in the long term.
This year at the 15th year of the International Needs Czech Republic gathered 31 enthusiastic participants willing to share the hardships and pleasures of their ministry and personal lives. They spent two beautiful days and we invite you to have a look – see for yourself.
Traditionally, we have started with an introductory theme game in nature. Our task was to refill a fluid into the pipe from which we needed to get important information, but the precious water was escaping through countless holes.
The debate on life and service then continued in program performances and very open discussions. Is not leaking our precious oil through many activities by which we are clogging our lives? If the tubes of our lives have an excessive number of holes, refilling oil will not help. Which holes will we close up? On the other hand, which holes will we retain, so that through these holes we can spread blessing into our surroundings?
With these and many other questions, we sincerely tried to cope. We wondered where the oil is leaking, where we can also find it and recharge what motivates us to do what we do.
During the program, there sounded the pearls that should not be forgotten, for example:
Let’s learn to perceive the stories of children in background of their behaviour, which is for us such incomprehensible and inappropriate.
The children feel the reason why you have come to them; they feel your motivation for what you do.
What can help me against burnout? You must see the value of every single child.
Also a good person makes mistakes. I really don´t have to endure everything and cope up with everything.
Already in previous years we have proved the suitability of a model of a looser program. In today’s world clogged with information you can get an abundance of coherent information. All the more so in our meeting we place emphasis on the resting, the possibility to calm down, relax, switch off, walk in nature, chat with friends and mentors, share and pray together if feeling need and taste.
Just as the country got the moisture in heavy rains, so hopefully our lecturers could draw and get inspiration regarding regular and adequate refill oil into the lamps of their professional and personal lives.
They evaluated this year’s stay by themselves:
“Thank you very much for this irreplaceable encouragement and recharge, including beautiful body care.”
“I appreciate being a part of it. I’m touched, that someone cares for me, cheers for me, praying for me. Thank you.”
Finally, one more incentive idea, by which we concluded our common program: the precondition for success is the real love for something and be not frightened of setting high goals. With this wish also in this school year we send our Healthy Youth workers into their demanding but beautiful service.
The International Needs Czech Republic has been organizing this event for lecturers of Healthy Youth workers program since 2003. It is open to guests who are interested in this type of work and are active Christians.
Short video from Annual Healthy Youth Workers Conference (only Czech Language):
