Shelly Ministers at Women of the Harvest Event

My dear friend, co-author of Holy Habits, and prayer partner, Mimi Wilson joined me to speak for the furlough conference at the Billy Graham Training Center in Ashville, NC. We had to raise the money to cover all our expenses and conference costs. The Lord provided for me (without an appeal) through two generous donations! We saw Him work. There were 79 missionary women, many of whom came deeply burdened. Nearly half signed up for counseling before we met!

Twenty-six of us were “staff.” All had raised support and taken time off work to serve. Our goal was to minister to women emotionally, spiritually and physically. The staff included 6 counselors, a musician/worship leader, a massage therapist, a color analyst, four hair stylists, a makeover artist, a team of 6 pedicurists. (Mimi and I never considered ourselves pedicurists before!) Local churches gave beautiful clothes (many new) and staff ran a boutique so ladies could “shop” free after color analysis. Staff organized, ironed, sewed and helped ladies find outfits to match. Missionaries went away with piles of donated books and daily they received gifts, lovingly purchased and beautifully wrapped by local churches.

As we spoke many wept. God used the messages to touch lives. The counselors shared that our ministry facilitated their work. A highlight for both Mimi and me was spending each afternoon massaging feet and legs, painting nails, and listening to ladies' stories. We wept, laughed and prayed with many who needed a fresh touch from God. Several shared that before the conference, they could not consider returning to the field, but after it they were ready to go! The staff at the Billy Graham Center marveled at the transformation, not only in appearance but also in spirit, of the missionaries between their arrival and departure. Mimi will speak at the WOTH retreat in the Middle East in the fall and I am scheduled for South America in 2007. Please pray that God will provide for these trips. If you, your church, or someone you know would like to be on staff, provide for someone to attend, or take on a project of gifts or clothing, let me know and we'll get you connected!

Shelly