Hey gals...We are so excited to watch your names coming in through the registration site.
You are even now being prayed over and we cannot wait to see your faces.
Invite all your missionary friends, it's going to be a fantastic weekend, resting in God together!
Friday, September 24, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Dearest Sister and Servant,
May I speak to the places in you today that you seldom leave exposed? Not because you're hiding them, more because what you are called upon today to do does not leave any time for wrestling with the ache you live with most days. May I tread lightly and speak into those places not only as your sister in Christ but as a fellow missionary that I think at least partly shares your experience.
If you're anything like me you're pretty convinced that you have the best job in the whole world. I tell people often that I have the privilege of waking up every single morning and asking God who He would like for me to serve for that day. Not only do I have the privilege of doing that, but it's my "job." It's what I raise support to do. It's far beyond that, and you and I both understand that, it's my calling and that is what sustains me on the difficult days when a 9 to 5 at home sounds much more appealing than the heart ache that sometimes comes from daily witnessing desperation and poverty.
There are immense blessings that come with the life of a missionary. We know that. I trust God more because of this life. I love God differently. I know Him now as MY protector, refuge, lover, sustainer, comforter and friend in ways I could not have without this part of the journey. I am crazy about this place and these people and I am nuts about a God who would allow me to serve them.
As much as we know that we're called and that this is a privilege, I'm almost certain we share some other feelings. If I am honest, I get so tired of watching children suffer. There are some days when I really do feel like I am beating my head against a wall in a culture that I will never fully acclimate to (let's face it some days I want to be able to run 5 errands in 2 hours and have it include going to the bank). I sometimes get bitter that I can't paint my face and body and blend in to a country I love with all of my heart, but will always be seen as a white girl with money (while my bank account tells a very different story). I hate that I don't have the resources to meet the many legitimate needs I am asked to help with each day. I cry into a pillow many nights wishing I could change so much for so many. I get homesick. I miss praise and worship in my own language beside my sisters that I have walked a thousand miles with.
I used to feel so guilty about those feelings. I think God gently and lovingly revealed to me that those feelings were ok and that those were the very things that constituted the "sacrifice" in this. So many people have said to me wow that must be difficult sacrificing the "stuff." I have responded on numerous occasions that the "stuff" was the easiest to give up. It's the people and the relationships that you miss that make this difficult.
Let me share with you a little background, so that the rest of this will make sense. I am honored and privileged to still serve (from a distance) on a team in the States with a group of women that I cherish more than I will ever be able to explain. God has grown us and shaped us and challenged us and stretched us in ways we never expected and what I am about to share with you is for sure an evidence of that.
Each year in the little town of Parkersburg, WV we are part of planning and implementing a conference for about 900 women in our area to come together for a day of worship and fellowship. It is called the Women of Purpose Conference and it began 9 years ago. Over time the logistics and site have changed, but one thing has been the constant undertone of the purpose of all of this and it is to unify women from so many backgrounds and experiences to glorify God. So the first weekend of October every year women pour through the doors and we have a "breath of fresh air" day being together. It's a pep rally of sorts as we leave the day to go back to our respective locations encouraged and strengthened by the body of Christ coming together.
A couple years ago I asked the Purpose Team to start praying about bringing an experience like this to Honduras. I explained with tears pouring down my cheeks how dry it can sometimes feel as you minister and pour out with fewer opportunities like these to "fill up." Their response humbled me and still makes me weepy. That very day they said, "we're in, let's do it."
Through political crisis and plans changing and my mom having cancer this year and going through chemotherapy with her and many other hurdles, God is faithful and the dream is about to come true.
So consider this your official invitation and please come join us...
YOU ARE INVITED TO...
The FIRST EVER Women of Purpose SISTERHOOD REVIVE RETREAT
Thursday October 28 beginning at 1 pm - Saturday October 30 ending at 9:30 am
Location: Villa Gracia, Km 9 El Hatillo, Tegucigalpa
Sisters, this is a chance for you to come and fill up, rest, renew, refuel, and spend some time with God and your sisters who are serving here going through much of the same experience that you are. It will be a great opportunity for networking and building friendships with other women who are serving around the country as well. Imagine a weekend of pampering (manicures, pedicures, and massages included), voluntary play time with other sisters (craft spot and cafe environment just to name a couple), built in time for rest (hammocks and an amazing view included), praise and worship, prayer time, fellowship, and alone time with God. It's gonna be an amazing couple of days. All of it is TOTALLY FREE for you. It's our way of attempting to serve the servant.
We are so looking forward to it. More details to follow. As for now please sign up on the registration form on this website so we'll hold a space for you. We have a limited number of spaces reserved at Villa Gracia, so please register soon so that we'll know how many to plan for.
May you be blessed as you are a blessing dear one,
Jen Wright -
on behalf of The Women of Purpose Team
May I speak to the places in you today that you seldom leave exposed? Not because you're hiding them, more because what you are called upon today to do does not leave any time for wrestling with the ache you live with most days. May I tread lightly and speak into those places not only as your sister in Christ but as a fellow missionary that I think at least partly shares your experience.
If you're anything like me you're pretty convinced that you have the best job in the whole world. I tell people often that I have the privilege of waking up every single morning and asking God who He would like for me to serve for that day. Not only do I have the privilege of doing that, but it's my "job." It's what I raise support to do. It's far beyond that, and you and I both understand that, it's my calling and that is what sustains me on the difficult days when a 9 to 5 at home sounds much more appealing than the heart ache that sometimes comes from daily witnessing desperation and poverty.
There are immense blessings that come with the life of a missionary. We know that. I trust God more because of this life. I love God differently. I know Him now as MY protector, refuge, lover, sustainer, comforter and friend in ways I could not have without this part of the journey. I am crazy about this place and these people and I am nuts about a God who would allow me to serve them.
As much as we know that we're called and that this is a privilege, I'm almost certain we share some other feelings. If I am honest, I get so tired of watching children suffer. There are some days when I really do feel like I am beating my head against a wall in a culture that I will never fully acclimate to (let's face it some days I want to be able to run 5 errands in 2 hours and have it include going to the bank). I sometimes get bitter that I can't paint my face and body and blend in to a country I love with all of my heart, but will always be seen as a white girl with money (while my bank account tells a very different story). I hate that I don't have the resources to meet the many legitimate needs I am asked to help with each day. I cry into a pillow many nights wishing I could change so much for so many. I get homesick. I miss praise and worship in my own language beside my sisters that I have walked a thousand miles with.
I used to feel so guilty about those feelings. I think God gently and lovingly revealed to me that those feelings were ok and that those were the very things that constituted the "sacrifice" in this. So many people have said to me wow that must be difficult sacrificing the "stuff." I have responded on numerous occasions that the "stuff" was the easiest to give up. It's the people and the relationships that you miss that make this difficult.
Let me share with you a little background, so that the rest of this will make sense. I am honored and privileged to still serve (from a distance) on a team in the States with a group of women that I cherish more than I will ever be able to explain. God has grown us and shaped us and challenged us and stretched us in ways we never expected and what I am about to share with you is for sure an evidence of that.
Each year in the little town of Parkersburg, WV we are part of planning and implementing a conference for about 900 women in our area to come together for a day of worship and fellowship. It is called the Women of Purpose Conference and it began 9 years ago. Over time the logistics and site have changed, but one thing has been the constant undertone of the purpose of all of this and it is to unify women from so many backgrounds and experiences to glorify God. So the first weekend of October every year women pour through the doors and we have a "breath of fresh air" day being together. It's a pep rally of sorts as we leave the day to go back to our respective locations encouraged and strengthened by the body of Christ coming together.
A couple years ago I asked the Purpose Team to start praying about bringing an experience like this to Honduras. I explained with tears pouring down my cheeks how dry it can sometimes feel as you minister and pour out with fewer opportunities like these to "fill up." Their response humbled me and still makes me weepy. That very day they said, "we're in, let's do it."
Through political crisis and plans changing and my mom having cancer this year and going through chemotherapy with her and many other hurdles, God is faithful and the dream is about to come true.
So consider this your official invitation and please come join us...
YOU ARE INVITED TO...
The FIRST EVER Women of Purpose SISTERHOOD REVIVE RETREAT
Thursday October 28 beginning at 1 pm - Saturday October 30 ending at 9:30 am
Location: Villa Gracia, Km 9 El Hatillo, Tegucigalpa
Sisters, this is a chance for you to come and fill up, rest, renew, refuel, and spend some time with God and your sisters who are serving here going through much of the same experience that you are. It will be a great opportunity for networking and building friendships with other women who are serving around the country as well. Imagine a weekend of pampering (manicures, pedicures, and massages included), voluntary play time with other sisters (craft spot and cafe environment just to name a couple), built in time for rest (hammocks and an amazing view included), praise and worship, prayer time, fellowship, and alone time with God. It's gonna be an amazing couple of days. All of it is TOTALLY FREE for you. It's our way of attempting to serve the servant.
We are so looking forward to it. More details to follow. As for now please sign up on the registration form on this website so we'll hold a space for you. We have a limited number of spaces reserved at Villa Gracia, so please register soon so that we'll know how many to plan for.
May you be blessed as you are a blessing dear one,
Jen Wright -
on behalf of The Women of Purpose Team
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