Laughter and Bonding with a Second Family

By Lydia Kim

With his lips tucked in his mouth, John Cho (12) proceeded to face the group and screech the word, “pterodactyl.” Everyone in the group teared up in their attempts to stifle their laughter and hide their teeth to escape the punishment of the Pterodactyl Game.

On November 23, all three dorms in the Dalat community packed up to leave for their annual Dorm Retreat. Unlike other years, the bus did not take the route to the Chefoo Centre in Cameron Highlands but instead headed to the Swiss-Garden Beach Resort in Damai Laut. After three hours of an anticipatory bus ride, the dorm students found themselves welcomed by a familiar yet foreign ocean breeze and a dance flash mob prepared by the staff at the resort.

Following the appetizing dinner with various seafood dishes, the students sat in the main hall for the sessions. This year, the sessions were led by guest speakers Mr. and Mrs. Castro, who shared their testimonies and connected them to the story of the Prodigal Son found in Luke 15. As Daniel Kang (12) stated about the Castro’s testimonies, “It could be quite difficult to share something so vulnerable in your life, but they were very open about their past, which helped us relate to the Castro’s more personally.”

The dorm students also experienced various group activities both nights they were there, including games, such as Empire, and bonfires. Another highlight of the retreat was the talent show where students displayed an assortment of talents from dancing to the popular song “Level Up” to rapping about students from each of the dorms. The silly and lighthearted atmosphere of the talent show brought the dorm students closer together and contributed to everyone enjoying a relaxing time.

Bethany Davis (12) stated that one of her favorite memories about the dorm retreat was “sitting in big groups and playing Korean games outside while not having to worry about anything else.”

As the end of the retreat drew near, students savored every minute of their time by playing games with friends, swimming, playing beach soccer, and getting closer to or getting to know new people. On the last day, students were still able to enjoy a laid-back schedule with a closing Q&A session with Mr. and Mrs. Castro and the last lunch meal before preparing for their departure.

Even as the Pterodactyl Game was halted by an encroaching horse, the dorm students could not stop themselves from bursting into laughter. When the dorm students reflect back on this moment, they will remember a time of endless laughter and bonding with friends that helped deepen their relationship both with Christ and with their dorm family.