June 12, 2007

"We expected rustic conditions at the Bulgarian monastery where we had booked our 'Thriving Women - Moments of Grace' retreat.  But we were surprised to find a lot of dirt, toilets that had to be flushed with a bucket, rooms without hot water, rooms with no water at all, and plenty of other surprises, such as the scorpions that came out of their hiding places to greet us before we crawled into bed!  But neither the Lord Jesus nor our courageous women missionaries were going to let unusual circumstances rob them of what God had prepared for them.

The women missionaries in Southeastern Europe are awesome!  The creativity of these ladies to overcome adversity is nothing short of amazing.  Amidst killing scorpions, heating bathing water in coffee makers and hot pots, and bathing in dish basins, we met Jesus.  Because we were celebrating our retreat in a Monastery, we chose to incorporate some written prayers and elements of early Christian traditions in our worship gatherings.  As we worshiped using only the accompaniment of the harp and a flute, the presence of the Lord was sweet to women who had come hungry to meet Him.  After the powerful communion service, planned activities were set aside for the precious moving of the Holy Spirit.

Many of our women missionaries live and minister in isolated and challenging situations  The burden they carry is heavy.  It's critical for women missionaries to gather together and experience the renewing of God's love for them and the wonderful fellowship of other called women.  Freed from family and ministry responsibilities, they could simply receive from God and each other.  They left refreshed and better prepared to go back and thrive in the difficult places in which God has called them to serve."

Dana Mathison
Area Director for Southeastern Europe AGWM