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International women leaders participate
By Ruth Ruiz, Major –
Commissioner Nancy Roberts, world secretary for women’s ministries, served as special guest at a recent spiritual retreat for women officers in the Mexico Territory. More than 100 delegates traveled from across Mexico to Puerto Vallarta, on the Pacific coast, to spend time considering the theme “You are Loved.”
At the welcome meeting, Territorial President of Women’s Ministries Colonel Sonia Bouzigues told delegates that they would share in a time to feed their souls, to have time alone with God and to receive what God had prepared for each person. She encouraged delegates to spend this time with God to have their souls nourished.
Other guests included Commissioner Rosalie Peddle, zonal secretary for women’s ministries, Americas and Caribbean; Commissioner Deise Eliasen, territorial president of women’s ministries, South America West; and Colonel Heidi Bailey, territorial secretary for women’s ministries, USA Southern.
Roberts taught about the experience of various women in the Bible in two sessions, sharing thoughts on their journeys with God and offering opportunity for participation from the delegates.
Peddle spoke about things that seem impossible but that are possible for God, and Bailey spoke about being “An Army of Love,” encouraging delegates to love without fear.
The retreat also included training workshops, on themes including: The Female Officer and Her Leadership, Balance in Ministry, The Officer and Stress and The Female Officer and Self-esteem. Eliasen led one of the workshops, emphasizing that the delegates should never forget that they are loved by God, and that God’s love never changes.
The retreat concluded with a consecration meeting at which Roberts—recalling the way that Jesus had healed a crippled woman whom he saw in the middle of a crowd—reaffirmed that even when people feel they are ignored or rejected God sees them, knows them and loves them. She said, “God sees each one of us and our needs.”
Report translated by Captain Margarita Martinez
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