Retreating women

One of the worship leaders at our women's retreat this weekend was a man, who said that the song, "Let My Words Be Few" was the perfect theme song for a women's retreat! This is why men shouldn't be allowed in such places!

We had a fabulous if exhausting time this past weekend. The retreat took place in town, at what used to be the Baptist hostel (dorm) for Hillcrest students. There were about 75 ladies from many different missionary and church backgrounds, not to mention countries (France, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Hungary, England, Ireland, the U.S., Canada, Korea, Malaysia, Nigeria, South Africa, etc.). Our ages ranged from about 22 to over 70. So you can imagine we had quite a diverse time! We started Friday afternoon at about 4, and even now there are still people there, taking advantage of the card-making supplies. One of the highlights was the special treats we got from Canada: ingredients in our group meals including chocolate chips, herb crackers, and Caesar salad dressing; beauty products (which I'm afraid I'll never use); card-making supplies; tea; gum; and a wonderful lady named Sue!

Friday night we had some mixer games after a garden supper, for which we had live entertainment--a string trio! What a treat! It was a night of laughter and fun. My team almost won Scattergories by coming up with unique words that started with "S" for forty different categories. (We had 32 in the end and lost to a team with 35. Rats!)

Saturday morning we had a lovely breakfast outside under canopies in the garden, had a time of worship, and then spent an hour or so listening to our pastoral care coordinator bring us truths from God's Word about Jesus' love for us. It was so refreshing! After the speaker finished, Sue, who'd come from Canada just for the retreat, showed us how to make some Christmas decorations, including frosted fruit ("You mean you put glue on grapes and apples instead of eating them? Are you kidding?") and candle centerpieces. I'm not big on crafts, and we're pretty low-budget when it comes to decorations, but it was interesting to see what other women think of for decoration!

After lunch, we had "workshops" in different groups. Downstairs, there was card-making, with extensive (and expensive!) supplies brought all the way from Canada for the occasion. Upstairs there was a coffee bar with flavoured coffee, several kinds of tea, snacks, and coffee add-ons (whipped cream, cinnamon, etc.). There were couches and magazines provided for perusing. Outside on the upstairs patio, there was a do-it-yourself spa, where ladies could give themselves manicures and pedicures and could get their makeup done. Mom and I both won free massages from an Indian professional, so we enjoyed those to the full! I had a rough time doing anything at all with Timothy, who was hot, tired, and pretty cranky (for him, which by average standards is probably still very agreeable). But I managed to make two cards (for my sisters) and enjoy a cup of decaf French vanilla coffee and a foot soak. I'm not really a spa kind of person anyway. I've had a pedicure once in my entire life (thanks, Aunt Pamela!) and have never had a manicure. I can count on one hand the number of times I've worn make-up off the stage. So I had no idea what to do!! Fortunately, the other ladies were helpful and supportive. :)

That evening we had a nice supper and then listened to a few powerful testimonies. These weren't your run-of-the-mill "I was a drug addict/alcoholic who'd been divorced three times and then met Jesus" testimonies. These were real, down-to-earth stories of Christian women who had suffered and been redeemed. God is so good! We came home exhausted but moved.

(We heard this morning that some ladies had stayed until 3AM working on cards!! Dude! The funny part is that the power was off, so they had to share the cost of running the generator that whole time.)

This morning we had a simple, yummy breakfast and then were led in worship and again listened to God's Word about Jesus' love for us. We had a time of sharing in small groups, which was very therapeutic, and prayed. Then we ate a delicious brunch and came home. Altogether, it was a delightful weekend. Timothy kept me on my toes, and I'm now exhausted (as an introvert) from all the socialising. And the retreat reminded me that I have no close girl friends, so I often felt very alone.

But God is faithful. And His love never quits. Right, Cari?