Follow up from Tawstock 2006

“The Lord is always with his people”... What wonderful words of reassurance and hope for us! Thank you to David for reminding us of God’s faithfulness to us all at Tawstock this year through the words of this simple but meaningful song.

And, how can you sum up our holiday this year? Perhaps I can give you a few quotes “ Tawstock 2006 was the best holiday I have ever had... If anyone had told me that sleeping on a mattress on a floor could totally change my Christian life I would not have believed it”.... “ For the very first time I think I have experienced what Christian Love is all about.” And, as I sit here the words unity, community, love and family all spring readily into my mind.

Morning Prayers

Our Morning Prayer sessions were held almost in silence with an air of listening rather than talking this year. To meet together to share a new day with each other in God’s presence was a wonderful experience.

Morning Worship

David, assisted by his newly formed music group led us in our all age morning worship with the theme of David and Saul. Thank you to all our young people who shared what they learnt and made in their groups with us. We sang and danced and had the opportunity to play every instrument imaginable! Hallelujah and praise to the “Rock that Doesn’t Roll”

Evening Fellowship

This year we were ‘watered’ by Charles and led deeper into worship by Claire. Many of us sensed God speak to and challenge us at a deeper level in our own particular journey of faith. The all age communion service we held for the first time this year was to me a real blessing a truly humbling experience of the love that God has for us in sending His Son.

Young Peoples Groups

A huge thank you to Michelle, Dan, Lynda and David for leading our young people through discussion and sharing of their musical talents. For you to have been accepted and welcomed in such a short time was a reflection of your talents AND willingness to be used by God. I am sure these relationships were nurtured not only from late night swims and ‘off site’ visits but also dedication and one to one conversations.

Younger People Groups

Jannette, Katie and Andrea where did you get the inspiration and ideas for all the children’s water themes? We all wished we could have ‘gone fishing’ with the nets and made fishes from clay.... it looked so much fun! The care and support frameworks surrounding our little ones was obvious for all to see.

Activities

Gosh, where do you begin? The Tarka Trail, the grand beach outing and sandcastle building competition, 10 pin bowling, Scrapheap Challenge, golf, parent’s night out, Paul’s famous quiz, the ladies walk and cream tea and all those tournaments... phew what a list! Each day brought an opportunity to try something new and exciting. And, this year some of us met Captain Coconut who showed us how to blow bubbles like we had never seen before. And, in my case even to ‘sample’ bubble pie. YUK!

Food

Angela you are truly amazing! A menu fit for consumption by a royal family never mind the Tawstock family! A huge thank you to everyone who helped in the kitchen, even the washing up teams managed not to break anything this year! What an achievement! Congratulations to everyone! We will make sure we put you all down on next year’s rota!

It is impossible to mention everyone by name, you know who you are and the special roll you played this year: Nothing goes unnoticed in God’s eye whether you changed a toilet roll, shared a few words of encouragement with a friend or sat by the pool supervising the children He saw it.

Each individual person from the youngest to the oldest has a unique and valuable contribution to make at Tawstock; the joy of welcoming new families is always exciting and this year we felt particularly blessed by the families that joined us for the first time.

To everyone: YOU are what makes this holiday special, without YOUR assistance, care and love it would just be any other holiday.... But, it isn’t!
It is a Christian Family Holiday and the love we experience in Jesus’ name is the love that we share with each other on a daily basis at Tawstock. Thinking back on your this year’s holiday please take those wonderful memories with you each day into the world and bring a little of the Tawstock light and love to everyone you meet. The Lord is always with His people! Amen.

Love and thanks from me to you all.

God bless you

Sandy