I love Puzzles. I am drawn to them because every piece is similar and different at the same time. I must sit and contemplate multiple times with the piece that I am so sure fits in a particular place is the right one. Each piece plays a critical part in the whole picture. 

The Rio Texas Conference hosted three Mid-Winters in the first two months of 2024. The first one was the Capital District on January 12 – 14.  The theme was “God Seeks after your heart and Know your worth.” On February 16 – 18, Las Misiones and Coastal Bend/El Valle hosted their camp. Las Misiones had theirs at Twin Oaks, Buda, TX. Their theme was “Jesuspalooza,” celebrating Jesus and his redemptive love for all of us. He frees us, and now we can help others to be free by sharing Jesus’ love. Coastal Bend/El Valle gathered at Camp Zephyr, Sandia TX. Their theme was “Under Pressure,” with the weight of fulfilling the expectations from family, school, friends, and sports (and our own expectations)—being lifted up by Jesus, who offers his love and his hope to live an abundant life in him. 

I give thanks to God and celebrate the leadership of Rev. Ryan Jensen in Capital District, Isabella Lopez in Las Misiones, and Pastor Philip Higginbotham/ Pastor Todd Johns in Coastal Bend/El Valle District, who gather and coordinate the gifts of many youth pastors and Pastors to have a wonderful camp in their respective Districts. I celebrate that in all three camps, new churches experienced hospitality and love from leaders and students. I was filled with joy when I sat with churches participating for the first time after the pandemic. New churches from our conference reconnected with the district and now are planning to be part of future summer camps. I celebrate the multiple gifts that came to the table when youth from various-sized congregations came to pray, play, and make new friends—as if the puzzle is revealing the work of God in our midst.  

We need all the pieces to admire the beauty we usher when all gather to praise God and offer our gifts. I am filled with joy and expectation to see what else God will reveal in our conference as the Youth connect and learn from one another. For more pictures, you can visit The Rio Texas Conference Facebook to see each camp’s pictures.