One of the chief challenges—and one of the joys—of a Thrive retreat is figuring out how to pour a maximum amount into these global women in only a few days. So we focus intensely on the five love languages—words of affirmation, physical touch, gift-giving, acts of service, and quality time. 

Michele, serving in South Africa, sees her chief love languages change, depending on what’s lacking. “Usually I wouldn’t say gifts, but seeing that [Taste of Home] gift bag waiting for me, I was in tears. In fact, I’ve been crying non-stop since I got here. Before the retreat, I felt depleted in every way—so here I’ve wanted it all.”

She admits to a struggle most global workers seem to identify with. “I’ve always struggled to receive. Because I’m surrounded by such need, I feel a false responsibility to meet everyone’s needs. I’ve battled guilt to take care of myself in any way.”

She believes her accepting the invitation to come to the retreat has been a project of God’s love over her. “Just the application process—I felt so seen. The questions were so thoughtful.”

Since her arrival, she says that the Lord has been “dealing with her.” He’s been showing her she is loved…just because. 

“Everything feels so extra, so over the top. The words [God] has given people for me, and every love language spoken. It’s so humbling. I can’t shake that this feels so extravagant. But God’s love is extravagant. This whole time is about that. I feel God saying, I’m going to be as extravagant with you as possible.”

“In all the ways I’d felt deprived,” she adds, “those needs are being met. I feel so undone.”

This morning Sarah, our keynote speaker, quoted author Brennan Manning, saying that he imagined God as having one question for us when we see Him for the first time: “Did you believe that I loved you?”

Thrive wants global women to be able to wholeheartedly answer, Yes!