After disembarking the ship, the volunteers reconvened at the hotel to begin debriefing our retreat experience. We spent the day learning to process everything we had seen and heard and how to tell our story.

We heard several examples of God-ordained moments. A certified support-raising trainer and coach (with global experience) and a woman struggling with insufficient funds to fix the car and even her family's basic living expenses "just happened" to be paired in a small group. The global worker received encouragement and resources to help begin her journey moving forward. Her leader offered to continue the relationship by answering questions and giving further advice. Only God could have orchestrated this meeting!

Many of the global women are wives and mothers, just like many of the volunteers. However, these women face different challenges, such as transitioning from one country back to the US for furlough, providing a good education for their children, caring for elderly parents from another continent, learning another language, and adjusting to different foods and customs. This is an additional strain in an already stressful life.

Loneliness has been a pervasive theme of this retreat. Thrive provides a safe place through small groups, roommates, mealtimes, and the various self-care options for the women to unburden themselves and begin to let go of what may be holding them back. We saw changes in perspective and countenance as they were challenged to persevere in the great adventure of sharing the Gospel with the world.

As they go their separate ways, will you pray that they hold on to the truths that were implanted in them during this retreat?