In the Vatican Museums, there are over 70,000 sculptures, paintings, tapestries, and mosaics. Some of these works were commissioned; others were uncovered. Some are delicately ornate; others are broken, especially statues from antiquity that are headless, armless, or legless. Some are made from giant blocks of marble; others are thousands of miniature tiles fitted together in an overwhelming array of colors. Some are designed to be approachable; others are set up on pedestals to make them seem larger than life.

Each piece of artwork tells a story - or a thousand stories.

The same is true about the lives of attendees at this Roman Thrive retreat. Each life represents a series of stories of God’s sovereignty, loving pursuit, redemption, and sanctification.

In some ways, it seems as if there is very little difference in the lives of women at home and global workers overseas. Both juggle family life, church life, personal ministries, and careers. Both have to work at developing and nurturing relationships with family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors. Just like each daughter of the King who sits in a church pew each week, these global women have daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly highs and lows. They all feel disappointment and grieve losses. They all experience joys and cultivate hope. 

Perhaps for the global worker, some of these lows are magnified and highs are diminished by the reality that they don’t always have a nearby friend to bear the burden and celebrate the small victories. Perhaps in other ways, the loss is diminished and the rejoicing magnified when supporters from around the globe share in prayer and send care packages for special occasions.

Likely, some of her challenges are different: a global worker almost always must become conversant in another language; she frequently needs to plan out some aspects of her family life years in advance; and she always has to consider time zones when setting up birthday calls to grandparents back in the States or Canada. But she experiences the same challenges of pride, anxiety, desire to control, fear, loneliness, and disappointment.

Likely, some of her successes are different: launching a new Bible study, starting an online prayer group for nationals too far apart to connect in person, learning to sew or make jewelry, starting a business for locals, or jumping through hoops to enroll her children in school. But she experiences the same successes of abiding in the Word; growing in her faith; and deepening her joy, hope, love, and peace.

As Thrive volunteers, one of our joys is ignoring - or knocking down - the pedestals that these global workers have been put on by other believers. Too often, families, friends, and churches exalt global workers for their commitment, dedication, and zeal, assuming that their “extreme spirituality” will carry them through any difficulties. At Thrive retreats, we get to help them be their authentic selves so they can process the highs and lows without judgment. We let them confess their sins, confess their frustrations, cry out to God, and cry onto our shoulders. We get to hear and retell their stories, like tour guides through the Vatican Museum. We have the privilege of helping them feel approachable and normal and connected rather than behind a red velvet rope, glass display box, or up on a pedestal.

Whether she serves in the church nursery, raises children at home, works in an office, starts her own business, teaches Bible study, supports others’ ministries, intercedes for the lost, or gives of her time and energy to love on her neighbor, a Christian woman at home and a Christian woman abroad must surrender her life to the purposes of the Father and the glorification of Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit. It takes all of us as one Body to steward these stories, to encourage one another, and to level the playing field for each and every daughter of the King, regardless of her country of service.

“Let love be genuine… hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor… Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.” Romans 12:9-13