They’re here, and the retreat site is abuzz with anticipation and hope. And for good reason. Our guests have literally come from far and near – as far as a 32-hour plane trip and as near as a 7-minute taxi ride across part of Rome. They are serving in countries as close as Spain and as far away as Indonesia – and in in-between places like Israel, North Africa, Slovakia, and Argentina. They are so very ready to be with other women who understand global ministry challenges without explanation. Even though the ministry focuses are different: translation work, student ministry, church planting, organizational IT work, sports ministry, education, anti-trafficking, the commonalities of cross-cultural work are deep.
So, there is hugging – lots of hugging. Sometimes they hug because they have come alone, lost luggage, been rerouted, and questioned by authorities. Then that chance for a warm embrace at the registration table is like a “welcome home!” to them. And some of the hugs come because of reunions with ministry companions from previous assignments or with coworkers who have been ejected from their present country of service.
We can’t help but ask them, “What are you hoping to get while you are here? What are you asking God for?” Their answers stir even more anticipation.
“I just want some quiet. To think. To process in solitude. To ask God what He thinks about the hard things that I’m encountering.”
“Yeah. That. But I also want some girl time to catch up with friends and have some lighthearted, breathe-easy conversations.”
“I’m asking God to bring me some refreshment so that I can hear His voice again clearly. I need Him to fix my dry, arid heart.”
“I’m so tired that I don’t even know how to express what I want, what I need.”
These first connections with seasoned workers who have served for 20 years, as well as the conversations with workers in the middle of their first term of service, bring our purpose into clear focus. Create and enjoy environments that will refresh the soul. So, the first evening ends with a personal sanctuary time, which each woman spends in silence with Jesus – and then is prayed over. As we enter that sacred space, our worship leader reminds us: God doesn’t want your strong moments. He wants your real ones.
And that is what we are all anticipating.