From across the U.S. we came—hailing from Pennsylvania to Washington, Minnesota to Texas, with a handful of heartland states in between. It took, on average, thirty travel hours for each woman to arrive in Melbourne, Australia, the site of this year’s February Thrive retreat. We are twenty-three volunteers strong, ranging from one veteran serving for the fifteenth time, to three newbies making their debut appearances. Grandmas and singles and middle-aged moms, each contributes something different to this gathering—from photography to counseling to prayer to pedicures. 

While varying demographics and giftings reflect our diversity, it’s our passion for Thrive’s mission that unifies us and compels us to travel halfway across the world to fulfill Thrive’s stated purpose of serving God’s Kingdom by replenishing women ministering overseas. 

Some volunteers find it a little tricky to communicate to those outside the Thrive tribe the deeper soul-work accomplished at these retreats. Given a retreat’s beautiful and often exotic locale, it seems some perceive these retreats as little more than a glorified vacation.

And while, granted, we expect to enjoy what Melbourne offers, volunteers also share an understanding that this retreat will serve a far greater purpose. 

“Thrive does some things very uniquely,” Kerri, a veteran volunteer, says. “Because Thrive knows the women we serve so well, we often provide things the women themselves don’t always recognize they need.”

Such as beauty, healing touch, and thoughtful gifts. Because within the right context, proper self-care leads to meaningful soul care. 

The pedicures we’ll offer, for example, won’t just be about polishing toenails. “It’ll be about getting their feet washed, and us hearing their stories,” Kerri says. “We aim to meet their needs at a deeper level, so they can open up, so the Lord can heal their souls.”

This, then, is why we have traveled from all corners of the United States to meet up in a historic hotel in the heart of Melbourne. Under the Father’s gracious hand, we aim to re-fill these women. So that, as Sarah, another volunteer, says, “they can go back to their work and thrive.”