Missions Blog

Day 3 — Preparing the Way

Our day started early with group devotion and prayer time, preparing our hearts for what would be a very full and meaningful day. Afterward, we joined the other missionaries and staff for breakfast, fueled up, and got straight to work.

The women’s conference was beginning that evening, and there was plenty to do to prepare for more than 300 women who would be arriving. We tore down all the tables in the pavilion and cleared the space before sweeping and mopping the floors. Then came the fun part — transforming the space into a beautiful place for the women to gather.

We cleaned and set up all the tables and chairs, added tablecloths and centerpieces, and created photo stations throughout the pavilion. Little by little, the empty space became a welcoming place for the women who would soon fill it.

Once everything was ready, we had a little free time — and after working in the hot, humid weather, the camp pool was exactly what we needed! It was such a refreshing time to relax, laugh, and enjoy some time together as a team.

Then it was time for lunch, and once again, we were blessed with an incredible meal prepared for us. We certainly have not gone hungry on this trip!

After lunch, we gathered the blessing bags and conference shirts and finished setting up the registration tables. Then it was time to get ourselves ready. We put on our team shirts, headed back to welcome the women as they arrived.

And then, at 7 p.m., it began.

The reason we are here!

The evening started with dinner and some fun icebreaker games, giving everyone a chance to laugh and connect. Then two women from our team had the incredible honor of sharing their faith testimonies with the group. It was a beautiful reminder that God can use our stories — even the hard parts — to point others toward Him.

Bianca Fowler, the director, then blessed us through worship, followed by a powerful message from Laura, a Word of Life missionary who has served for more than 35 years. Our team was able to listen through headsets with translation so we could follow along.

The message centered around God as our Great Shepherd — the One who cares for His lost sheep. He is the healer of our broken hearts. His name, Jehovah Rapha, means “the Lord who heals.”

We were reminded that only God can truly fill the emptiness we carry. We live in a broken, sinful world that was never God’s original design. Sin brought brokenness, suffering, and struggle into our lives, and we will experience those things until we are with Him again.

But God has not left us alone in the middle of that brokenness. He is here. He offers peace when life feels chaotic, comfort when our hearts are hurting, and strength when we feel like we don’t have anything left to give. He is the Shepherd who sees us, cares for us, seeks us, and heals us.

The conference wrapped up around 11 p.m., but the night wasn’t over yet. Bianca and the worship team began rehearsal, continuing into the early morning hours. A few members of our team who serve in worship back home are hoping to join them during this special time of ministry.

And as we finally headed to bed — you guessed it — exhausted again!

But underneath the exhaustion was excitement and anticipation. We know there is still so much ahead, and we can’t wait to see what God is going to do through another full day with these women.

Another day, another opportunity to serve. And another reminder that God is already at work.