Prayer and Love Save

From September 27 to 29, 2019, about 50 women of all ages met for the fall women's retreat under the motto "Prayer and Love Save" in Freudenstadt. Gerd-Laila Walter, our speaker, touched the hearts of the participants from the very first second. Lovingly and at the same time with humor, she guided us through the weekend. Time and time again she brightened the sometimes very emotional topics with personal stories from her life, constantly encouraging us to cling to God's promises given to us in the Bible and also through Ellen G. White. During her lectures she gave the participants the opportunity to participate with questions or personal testimonies. I was particularly touched by the openness of a participant who was there for the first time. She talked about the difficult relationship with her own mother, which brought tears to many eyes. It always touches me how open even strangers can be in a protected environment and how we can grow together and strengthen and encourage each other. On Sabbath evening, the women could choose between various workshops, including a movement workshop, a creative lab and a fun game with surprising and interesting questions. These possibilities attracted participation as well as personal conversations. The exchanges and laughter at the snack buffet could be heard until well into the night. On the day of departure, a non-Adventist woman attending for the first time told me how Gerd-Laila had hit the subject that was currently on her mind smack in the middle. She asked me to reserve her a place for the next year’s women's weekend. No need to mention that at that moment my heart jumped in joy.
Reported by Jasmin Stanoschefsky, Women’s Ministries, Baden-Württemberg Conference, Germany Photos: WM BW