When God whispers and idea….listen!
I’m happy to say I did that last time and the result was
amazing! We ended up blessing more than 30 women coming from a variety of
nationalities. I say, “we,” because it certainly took a team. I had 7
translators, a few language checkers, a media guy, (He probably had no idea
what he agreed to either! But I’m sure glad he did.) 1 tech gal, a decorations
team, 1 gal to purchase chocolate – very important job in the end! - 1 lady bringing supplies, 1 musician, 1
volunteer beautician, several center managers and janitors for room preparation
and meal preparation, and a host of prayers!
But, I have gotten ahead of myself.
The idea: Back in March, I shared in a personal retreat day with other missionary women using an online
retreat presented by Velvet Ashes. Anybody could register for this retreat but
it is specially designed with missionary women in mind. Sometime in that day
the idea occurred to me that this could work for the larger group of women in
the mission community here in Cameroon. At the time I had NO IDEA what an
undertaking I was about to begin.
Since we live and work in a bilingual community the first
thing I had to do was find translators. God provided, of course, but then he
just kept bringing people to me, some of them before I even knew I needed them.
I’ll just tell you about our star beautician because there are photos
of us showing the result of her work. Fun! 
Included in the retreat package is a video of a DIY beauty
enhancement. Well, I certainly wasn’t going to lead that! (not having time or
experience) But God knew that Helene was the right gal for the job! He put her
in my path 3 X in the day when I was deciding what to do about this part of the
retreat. So, I asked her. Helene is already pretty but some of that beauty is
brought out because she covers her face with lemon juice grey clay, and some other interesting
things on a regular basis! She explained to us what this variety
of God-given items (honey, tomatoes, milk, avocado…) could do for our
complexion and then we gave it a try. Yes, I put grey clay on my face! It was a
great way to end the day.
I must tell you about one more person God brought to me. Since
she’d already done this retreat, Abby, our worship leader, came to me to offer
her skills leading music. This was fantastic so we didn’t have to use an impersonal
CD. It was a blessing to her as well because she enjoys leading worship for
just women. She says that there is just something special about it. It is just
one more example of how God moved to bring this retreat together.
Yes, most of the photos are from our facial experience. After all, that was the most entertaining part to photograph!
And I sure couldn’t have done it without my tech gal, Jodi.
Anybody who knows me knows that I am NOT the tech person! Thank you, Jodi, for
your willingness to give time and energy.
I hope you and I will remember to listen when God whispers.
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| A time of relaxing in the afternoon |
