Today was focused on play, and that’s exactly what we did; Play. It can be more powerful than you think, and it’s been said that “you can learn more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation” (Plato). In fact, that quote started the volunteers day today.
The weather was perfect for a beach day, and we all took full advantage of that. We played some beach games out in the sand, and boogie boarded or body surfed out in the water, and even taught some people how to correctly dive under the waves (which can change EVERYTHING). We were all having so much fun that when it started raining for a little while, we barely noticed and even laughed a little harder.

Later on, the Emerald Isle Baptist Church Mission’s Committee prepared a Mexican feast for us, and a feast it was. After filling our stomachs, we got back to playing and laughing, some of us nearly peeing ourselves and crying from laughing so uncontrollably hard. We played a couple different games, and everyone left with big smiles on their faces, and a new appreciation for the power of play. It really brought everyone together, and made everyone forget that we only met yesterday. It already feels like we’re family.

“We are never more fully alive, more completely ourselves, or more deeply engrossed in anything, than when we are at play” (Charles Shaefer).
Special thanks to Stevenson Vestal for helping financially support this Emerald Isle retreat!