The Stones in My Life
“The Stones in My Life” is the theme for the next missionaries’ retreat for women in Germany, organized by Aufatmen.
Last weekend, we had the preparation weekend for the next retreat in May 2027.
Three days of commuting between Bielefeld and Helpup. A nice chance to clear my head and stare out the window or read a magazine 🙂
Unless the train doesn’t show up and you end up waiting almost two hours at a tiny little station…
We started with an individual brainstorming session based on the main theme, “Sabbath.” And you can immediately see the differences between the people involved in the preparation.
Given my experience working with missionaries, my own experience, and my training as a Creative Therapist, I immediately turn a vague plan into something that can actually be used in practice. What does that look like? I think the photo says enough. Back and forth and back again.
Everyone had a particular focus point based on the starting theme. We first worked on it individually. Then we shared everything with each other and puzzled out how all the pieces fit together and how it could then be turned into a practical program with daily themes and daily focuses.
It is hard work to bring all those different threads together and translate ideas into a practical program. And then to do it all in German as well… But we made it!
During the weekend, we will be talking about spending time with God. What might be keeping you from coming to God? Too busy? Too much to do? Or have things happened that make you afraid to come to God right now? What are your priorities? And how did God intend that to be? What stones are lying between you and God? And how can you get them out of the way? How have you seen God working in your life? Have you made memories of those moments, like the people of Israel did by piling up stones? All kinds of different aspects that will come up during the weekend.
And in February, I get to give the volunteer team some training on what you should and, especially, should not say to or ask a missionary during a weekend like this. We still have some time to let that simmer.
Great opportunities to contribute and build up (ha, there the theme comes up again!).
