I Skipped My Mongolian Language Class For This.

But it's all worth it.

And I would never trade this experience for anything else.

Even chocolates.

Even by Cadbury's dark chocolate.

Blessed that I became a part of a four-day long women's retreat held by Pure Joy International, a ministry for women of God overseas. It was jam-packed indeed, of great women from different parts of the world gathered together for countless surprises, practical tips, craft-making, manicure sesh, food, worship, sharing of insights and most importantly quenched and encouraged by the Word. God's fingerprints imbedded to 40+ participants that time, and His Word didn't return void, but has accomplished so, so much according to each hearts' deepest desires.

Vickie Arruda, Founder/President of Pure Joy International as one of the speakers for this retreat

Melinda Emerson sharing some useful household tips

Me and My beautiful sisters with Iva May as one of the speakers
Know about Iva May and her ministry at http://www.chronologicalbibleteaching.com

From L-R (Jep, Melody Warford from Pure Joy International, Nelly and Anita from JCS)

The theme, He Sees, is based from Psalm 31:13-15 which says,

The Lord looks down from heaven;

he sees all the children of man;

from where he sits enthroned he looks out

on all the inhabitants of the earth,

he who fashions the hearts of them all

and observes all their deeds.

He sees. Even before we were born, He sees. I was deeply encouraged by the fact that even if the well has almost dried up, or like being in a rat-race of a never-eanding maze, He sees. He loves us, and He is not giving up on us. He is right there, when we thought  that He was gone. We never let Him down, because it was He who was holding us up from the very beginning.

A mini surprise from the team with a personalized tag. They know I love camping!

We were brought to a place a little bit outskirt from the city, where we could enjoy and lavish on His beautiful creation. I must echo what He say in the beginning, that all He created was good. And it includes heart-warming greetings from the people I met. 

This what we called our Sanctuary where we used to spend our quiet time with the Lord. It was just a ten-minute walk from the place we stayed.

On the second day I brought my sketch pad with me to capture the scene through my amateur hands. Ain't bad, aye? 

The place where we stayed and get pampered - Hotel Mongolia

Priorities have been re-calibrated, transformation, restoration and celebration manifested on the faces of each individuals that time. Until now my heart is still leaping and overwhelmed by the people who prayed and sponsored for this event to happen and that become a great success. My prayers go with the team who put their hearts out to make this event a huge success, and churches from the US who partnered with them and us in prayers. Praises to Him who sees and redeems life from the pit and crowns us with love and compassion. Glory to Him who satisfies our desires with good things so that we are renewed like the eagle's.