Over the weekend of February 1-3, more than 200 youth and sponsors gathered at Prude Ranch near Ft. Davis, Texas, for the annual and largest ever Tres Rios Youth Connection (TRYC).

We were joined this year by keynote speaker Caressa Murray and her husband Jonathan all the way from Austin. Caressa and the Youth Task Force worked hard in the months prior in developing the theme "41" and exploring the passage Lamentations 3: 22-33.

The record-breaking group attending TRYC learned and discussed the struggle of Elijah. Through his 40 days and 40 nights of suffering, God gave him hope and strength to make it to day 41.

The same goes for each of our lives, since "God is there 4 each and every 1 of us." (This was our slogan for the weekend that we repeated at every gathering, engraving it into each of our minds!)

Outside of keynote, youth participated in small groups, mixers, games, a dance and concluded the weekend with worship and senior send-off on Sunday morning

before heading home. This year brought many changes for TRYC as we not only had the largest group of participants, but the largest Youth Task Force with a new leader, Wade Hatter.

This event would not be possible without the hospitality of Prude Ranch and all of our many adult sponsors. We look forward to next years Youth Connection, with Caressa returning as keynote speaker.

Note: Laura McWilliams is a high school senior and member of Grace Presbyterian Church, Midland, Texas.

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