The first two days in Cape Town have focused on team building and volunteer training, but this time of preparation goes far beyond logistics and instruction. It is a rich and intentional time for the volunteers to participate in individual and collective worship and prayer, shaping our hearts and minds to serve.

The personal sanctuary, a time of contemplative prayer, is just one example of how Thrive prepares and equips volunteers to be conduits of God’s love and care for the global women who will soon arrive. A few volunteers shared reflections on their experience in the sanctuary:

• “It was a precious time of communion with the Lord.”




• “The experience reminded me that we are not here to complete a ‘project,’ but to love and be loved.”




• “It was a time to focus on what is true about God and to realign my will with His plan.”




• “I felt so supported, loved, and open to hearing God’s voice.”

The Thrive leadership understands that we cannot serve effectively unless we are first refreshed and replenished. Even the physical preparations, such as organizing gifts, training for pedicures, preparing for small group facilitation, and readying rooms for prayer and counseling, are covered in prayer. The environment shaped over the past few days invites volunteers to rest in God’s presence and come before the Lord not only with hands open wide, but with fingers relaxed and pliable, ready to be used in whatever way He leads.