What are teenage girls made of? Glitter, pink, make-up, and high heels. Is that what makes a girl? Are we only valuable as females when we conform to the prototype of a woman? And what defines my value? Thirty-six girls set out on a journey to the Black Forest to find answers to these questions from October 6 to 8, 2023.
As the house Schwarzwaldsonne slowly filled up with participants on Friday night, it was already clear that we were in for a very special weekend. Suitcases were carried, the rooms were occupied, and then it was time, with a snack in hand, to meet friends, and those who would become friends
This weekend showed that such weekends are wonderful for strengthening old friendships and making new ones. When the first evening program started, there was something really special in the air. With the words of greeting by Marion Knirr, the Women’s Ministries Director of the Baden-Württemberg Conference, the first Girls4Christ Weekend in this conference was opened and a long-cherished dream finally came true! For us as leaders, this weekend was a special gift from heaven. What may take a long time finally becomes good!
The first evening was emblematic of the following days. There was singing, laughing, reflection discussions, and listening. The organized contact games. The lectures, tailored to the age group, provided food for thought and dealt with topics such as self-esteem and identity.
Even on the first evening, however, it was not only theory but the girls were invited to reflect on what they had heard and apply it to themselves. Therefore each evening ended in a small group, where personal thoughts and concerns could be shared.
On Sabbath, we were able to enjoy the Black Forest sun, which came out early in the morning. The light drew us to the beautiful nature in the surroundings. However, we did not just go for a walk but also divided into two groups to play experiential educational games. These exercises were designed to strengthen the girls' self-efficacy and to develop team skills.
The day’s highlight came after the evening lecture when we divided into different groups. Everyone could do what they felt like doing. Some gathered in the creativity room, where they created masterpieces using knitting or handicrafts on paper and textiles. Music lovers gathered around the piano to sing and play their instruments to praise God. Yet others enjoyed having fun with various games and a delicious beverage prepared for us by our lovely and extremely talented kitchen team. Every meal and snack were real delicacies that gave us a lot of pleasure every time!
After our last input on Sunday morning, it was time to say goodbye to our beloved girls. Each girl was handed a personal envelope with words of encouragement. Throughout the weekend, the group had the opportunity to write small notes and messages and place them in prepared envelopes with the names of all the girls. A weekend can be ever so good, but our everyday life catches up with us and our negative feelings may come up again. The notes were intended to remind the girls that we find our value in Jesus, who gave everything for us. "Your Worth is Found in Christ" was the motto of our first Girls4Christ Weekend and it should also be the motto of our lives.
We are very grateful to our heavenly Father for blessing this weekend with His presence. From start to finish, preparation to execution, we saw how He blessed everything. It is a privilege to serve a God who sees us, loves us, and has answers to essential questions. We are very precious to Jesus and he will never tire of showing us that.
According to a report by Annette Weidenbach