Come Before Winter: Part 5

And this may be my last entry about Come Before Winter. I was totally blessed and feel like God used all of the women who came from the states to serve our sisters in Christ in Asia. I thank all the people who were praying for us each step of the way. There were some hard times that we shared while there. But God used those hard times to grow us closer to one another. The study of Philippians was deep and aptly taught by Karen Alexander and Jeanene Reese with equipping help from Kelliann and Cynthia. The prayer team (Suzy, Cara, Mariana, Joyce, Georgia and myself) was used to the full extent and each one of us went to bed totally exhausted but woke up refreshed each new day. Trina Derr was an incredible praise leader who stretched these women to open their hearts and minds to the Spirit. Cynthia and Megumi were amazing administrators and kept us on track day by day and hour by hour. And what an incredible missionary ambassador we had in Tonia, from Italy! We were so blessed with her presence.

After the blessing time, the participants had been very ingenious and had gone out and bought us wonderful gifts. We were so touched that they took the time and effort to do this. Here is a shot of our gifts - beautiful sarongs, skirts, bracelets, earrings and all from Indonesia! Somehow, Cynthia did not get in either one of these pictures:-(































Here is my roommate in Indonesia - Kelliann Hale!















Our baggage ready to take to the ferry from Indonesia back to Singapore for the beginning of our trip home

Come Before Winter: Part 4

As you can see, this is part 4 of my Come Before Winter experience, which took place in Singapore and Indonesia earlier this month of June 2006. If this is your first time on this blog, go down to Part 1 and work your way back up.

On Thursday night it's time for our PARTY! It's always a fun time and a reliever of the stress some of the women feel. Georgia Freitas was our party planner and worked tirelessly putting this together! It was a beach party and served out on the patio with leis and party hats. We even had a hula contest. Here is Crimsen doing her part! She serves in Sendai, Japan.















The CBW team all believe that Friday morning is one of the best gifts we bring to the women when we bless each one individually. Lots of tears are shed and love is received. God is very evident during these times. They shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace!

Gigie being blessed by Cara Flanders.














Jeanene blessing Minnie from Philippines, who is serving in Africa.















Kelliann praying for Gade from Thailand















Jenny, who with her husband, serves in China is being blessed by Megumi

Come Before Winter: Part 3

Remember to look down below today's posting for Parts 1 & 2

This year I was the registrar for the Singapore/Indonesia renewal. This all happened before the trip. During the renewal, I was the videographer plus part of the prayer team. Videoing was great fun as I was able to see all the women 'up close and personal'. I'm definitely not an expert by any means but have done my share of this in the past. Because of always being behind the camcorder, I did not get as many still shots as I wanted. So please forgive!!

I had an awesome prayer cluster made up of Shai Gonzales from the Philippines and Margaret Goh from Singapore. What wonderful women they are, serving God faithfully in their own countries.






As part of the prayer team, I was able to pray one-on-one with six women at scheduled times. Here I am with Michelle Soh, an amazing woman of God serving Him in Singapore!



Thursday is always a stressful day for the women as they are asked to share with everyone the things the Lord has told them through His Word in Philippians. But they all did such an incredible job. I was blessed and amazed at how God can work when we really study His Word. The picture here shows Karen McCurley during her sharing time with her 'supporters' at her side, Debbie Hogan and Lay Koon Choy. They all are members of the church in Singapore.

Come Before Winter: Part 2

See below for part 1 of my report on the Come Before Winter trip to Singapore/Indonesia.



The opening night of CBW is a time of worship and praise and prayer along with the reading of Philippians by the prayer team. Trina Derr led worship and did such an incredible job. All the CBW team is introduced during this time. Prayer clusters, consisting of three participants and one team member met, as we would each night. Afterwards we adjourned to the Coffee Shop for a sumptious buffet with lots and lots of papaya and pineapple. I was almost in heaven, however, there were no mangoes there:-) Eating together was a wonderful time of fellowship, also.















Tuesday and Wednesday were equipping days. Jeanene Reese and Karen Alexander taught the women how to exegete a passage in Philippians.


But before that, there is praise time plus an hour of silence, solitude and prayer where each women finds a place to be alone with the Lord. Here you see Gade and Unnie from Thailand.

Here are some pictures of some of our sisters from Asia. Danita Jackson serving in China on right, with Joyce Blake, both former missionaries to Moscow, Russia. Next is Jin Eng and Lorna Goh from Singapore. Then Suzy studying with Crimsen from Japan and Ann from Thailand




That's all for tonight. Check back tomorrow for part 3!

Come Before Winter: Singapore & Indonesia Part 1

Come Before Winter is a renewal for women in ministry in foreign lands. I just returned from my fourth renewal which began in Singapore and then to Bintan Island, Indonesia. Women from Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, China, Japan and Malaysia attended. The CBW team was made up of 12 women from the states and one missionary ambassador who attended the last renewal in Germany. This was a special treat for me as I was reunited with dear friends from the Philippines, where Ron and I served for 12 years.


We landed in Singapore, a metropolitan city-state of 3.5 million on Friday, June 9 at 1am after 22 hours in the air. This view is looking out from our hotel balcony.

This year I was the registrar for the renewal so had been communicating with these ladies for some time before I finally met them. What a treat to see their faces! Below see special friends Minnie and Gigie from the Philippines. Our niece Jenny Carter was able to come along with Lisa Taylor, who are both teaching English in China.



The renewal actually took place on Bintan Island, Indonesia, an hour by ferry off the coast of Singapore. The CBW team arrived there on Saturday afternoon, June 10 to finish our preparations. Each Sunday before the renewal begins the team has a morning of worship and communion. We were preparing to be in the book of Philippians for the week so we immersed ourselves in God's Word the rest of the day with silence, sollitude and prayer.

Monday afternoon the women begin arriving at the resort, welcomed by music and dancing provided by the hotel. We had never experienced such a joyous welcome before!


Check back tomorrow for part 2! And more pictures!