Nurture.
Women's Ministries retreat builds teamwork and friendships
“Back to Basics” retreat in the Philippines requires meal preparation in the manner of their 19th century ancestors and reminds women of essentials.
Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD)
[Philippines] Fetching water in tall bamboo stalks, catching free-range, live chickens, and working together in meal preparation are only a few ways 50 women experienced the joy of living in the 19th century as they worked throughout a Women’s Ministries (WM) retreat. Other old-fashioned techniques included milling rice in a mortar and pestle and cooking it in a puso made of coconut leaves.
The activities of this one-of-a-kind retreat taught women to be patient, resourceful, and perseverant—much like their great-grandmothers. They developed close relationships and camaraderie with other women, and experienced the joy of renewing their commitment to God’s mission. They were happy to be reminded of the essentials in cooking and in their commitment to God.
The retreat was held May 27 and 28, 2016 in the East Visayan Conference at the Memua Farm in central Philippines.
Published in Mosaic, 2017 Q2
