BACKPACKING TO THE HEART OF GOD | KAIROS GLOBAL | JANUARY 2022

Author: Geo Roncy

There was a small group of people that wanted to see God’s creation all while staying in tune with their faith. This idea was called THRIVE and it was a way to enjoy nature and experience the Lord in his creation. This was not your usual gathering because it could not be contained in a church or a hall. Rather, the venue was the world that God created. 

Knowing that this gathering was not in the usual meeting places excited many of us and there was an intentionality that arose from this knowledge: that we were all taking the extra step to know and encounter the Lord in and through what he has made for us. This backpacking trip was fun and memorable. We saw many beautiful sights, made our own food, and enjoyed each other’s presence. 

Every day Mass was celebrated and a separate time for prayer was kept aside. It was especially through Mass and prayer that many of us felt the presence of the Lord so close to us. The privilege of celebrating Mass outdoors made us realise that the Lord was present at all times, everywhere. We arose to each new day knowing that the Lord had placed in us a purpose, to be joyful missionaries in this world. Each of us took this purpose back home to our realities and have since tried our best to implement this grace. 

Without the experience of this backpacking trip, I would have never been so inspired to live for the Lord!

Geo Roncy is a finance student at the University of Houston, USA.