I had signed up. It was official. I was going to my first women's retreat at our Richmond church the Tapestry and truth be told I was NERVOUS!!
The women were and are hospitable and kind, yet I was wondering what I had gotten myself into. You see, out of the 40-something women attending this "Girlfriends in Christ" weekend, I was one of the four non-Asians, and my time at Vineyard retreats seemed far away. But I was determined to do it like Jeremiah 29 says... plant gardens, build houses, and settle down - so I was going to dig the soil to plant seeds of friendship; so going was the first step.
The centre was lovely right off the Crescent beach with eagles flying above in the early mornings. I have never seen so much tea being consumed in a 48 hour period in my life!! The ladies were kind and generous and open to relationship. The speaker from the States was lively and genuine and Jesus was glorified. I had to remind myself that things may look different and be done in ways that I am not accustom to - but we serve the same Lord. It was good for me to be there. To do things because I want to be obedient to the one who has called me to be just that. And yes I was the tallest one there and the heaviest walker by far, but we all have our junk and baggage that Jesus wants. Jesus speaks all languages and brokenness is found in ALL. As Andrew and the kids pulled up that Sunday afternoon to bring me home, I left seeing the 40 women- as fellow women and daughters seeking a deeper relationship with Jesus and each other.
However next retreat I am bringing my own coffee!
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