by Lory Bedikian

When I was in junior high school, in Cupertino, California, our teacher had us write submissions of poems for an annual "I Have a Dream" contest, inspired by the words of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. I recall learning about Rev. King and hearing/reading his words, thinking that this man truly had a gift, a calling from God. I've always been inspired by his words and preaching. Just as today, I'm truly inspired by the work of In His Shoes.

For the past seven years I have wanted desperately to attend the annual MLK Retreat offered by In His Shoes and finally this year was able to participate. How grateful I am that I attended. The retreat's setting — Rancho La Scherpa in Goleta, California — provided a setting harmonious with the teachings of Rev. King. While we listened to his speeches or sermons, the trees lined the sky, the rocks sat along the dirt roads and the miraculous topography of God's making was all around us. 

What was most wonderful about the structure of this retreat was the balance of activities and themes. The retreat's general theme "The Left Hand of God" became the umbrella for smaller subjects and topics that all related back to the larger purpose of the weekend. The combination of activities and topics couldn't have been more significant, from the hikes up hills to the discussions on Rev. King and Cesar Chavez. We watched movies, wrote poems, discussed and prayed. 

Activities such as these need interaction and discussion. Father Vazken provided the amazing structure and instruction, while the participants all treated the weekend with care and consideration. Talks were alive, prayers were strong, and efforts were ablaze. I'm so truly impressed with the In His Shoes mission, and with the group of people that I met and reunited with this past weekend. There was no better way to start the new year.

I want to say I came back a changed person, but that would be giving myself too much credit. So, I'd rather say, because of the beauty I experienced in only two short days, I've come back a person ready to make changes, to myself and the world around me, the best ways that I can. I'm ready to understand that whether sitting at the left hand of God, the right, it doesn't matter.....the point is to do the good work that was intended for each of us.