To God Be the Glory!

Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3) -- Day 3, 30 Days of Prayer

Today was the last day. It is so very bitterweet. We are spent physically and emotionally; however it is hard to say good bye to these ladies that we have laughed, cried, prayed and shared our lives with. It is such a joy to see our guests leave so happy.

One attendee summarized it well for all of them when she said, "Now I feel normal. Before I came here I felt crazy!"


Every evening after the sun sets; there is the most WONDERFUL scent from the night blooming jasmine. Pray with me that our time with these precious women and their faithful service is a sweet smelling offering to our great God.

I speak for our entire team that we are grateful for your love, support, encouragement and prayers as we have the awesome privledge to serve in Thailand.

We bless you, God of Israel, our Father from of old and forever. To You, O God, belong the greatness and the might, the glory, the victory, the majesty, the splendor; Yes! Everything in heaven, everything on earth, the kingdom all Yours! You've raised Yourself high over all. Riches and glory come from You, You are ruler over all. (I Chronicles. 29:10b-12) --Day 8

To God be the glory.

Soul Refreshment

Father, we lift up those women working in highly resistant areas to Your good news. Grant them the strength, and faith to pray this prayer and that it become a reality in their daily lives. Guard them from comparing themselves and their ministries to others. May they be faithful and persevere where You have called them. Help them rejoice over the baby steps and see them as definite victories. We ask that their time at the retreat be an abundant oasis of encouragement and affirmation of their value as a child of God. Lord, we pray that they will experience rest and much laughter at the retreat. May the fellowship, teaching, worship, be like a fresh cup of water to them. --Day 18, 30 Days of Prayer

Today, once again, there was much laughter and joy...

... and many, many tears.

We are so very grateful for the ability to have our spirits lifted because the stories that are shared are incredibly dark and heavy. One of our attendees worked with a national woman who ministered to a rebel tribe in the Philippines. This work was so extremely dangerous that the local church would not even pray for her due to the intense fear of reprisal from this tribe. After many months there was fruit-- 30 new believers. The woman asked them why they became believers and they answered, "Because the first time you came to us and ate with us we put poison in your food. When you did not die, we believed in your God."

That is not the kind of story I would imagine happening in the 21st century...

Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, Your justice like the great deep. (Psalm 36:5-6)

Lord God, we ask that You open our hearts to understand Your limitless love for us and Your continual, guaranteed faithfulness. May we be in awe of Your righteousness, allowing You to develop more of it within us. We praise You for Your justice. Even as we grieve over the many unjust situations around us and throughout the world, we are grateful that one day, You will indeed judge, as You are just and holy. --Day 28

Until tomorrow...

Tastes Great!

May they each experience joy and rest; may they soak in the various retreat activities that will refresh them. May their spirits be touched by Yours; renew, heal and encourage them in their intimate needs. We pray for significant times of prayer, refocusing on who You are. May they respond to You as You draw them close. May each woman be reminded of her intrinsic value being a child of God. Remind her that her value is not based on what she does, what her ministry looks like, or how busy she is, but only out of Your grace and love toward her. May each woman rest and feel very loved and valued by each other and every staff member. May the Word of truth being taught penetrate her soul. --Day 24, 30 Days of Prayer

We have nicknamed the night activities during the retreat "Girlfriends and Giggles" time. Tonight was the Taste of Home white elephant gift exchange. Many of you are familiar with how this game is played BUT did you know that the concept of the white elephant is from the Thai culture?

This group of attendees thoroughly enjoyed themselves; they "stole" gifts probably the most of any retreat and had such a great time doing it. They were even "stealing" unopened bags! That was a first.

A "taste" of the impact on these women's hearts:

• “The Taste of Home gift game was fabulous – wow! What a great selection of fun choices. Thank you for the shopping and packing and hauling.”

• “I liked the sharing, laughter, small groups, prayer, workshops, pampering, etc. Coming here was like coming “home”…not just because I was waited on, but because these are my people…this is my culture: North American women serving overseas. I’m not fully American any more. I’m not fully Thai. This is who I am. These women are “home.”

• “What’s not to like? I came “weary” and “thirsty” and you have joined with God to refresh and restore me and to fill me up.”

It would be very hard to determine a winner but one very happy lady received a DVD, "Luther" and a box of microwave popcorn. She has been looking for that DVD for 2 years and popcorn is her favorite comfort food. What a great God to send His precious daughter such a delightful gift. We couldn't have planned that had we tried.

“The worship time was sweet. The Bible study was convicting and funny. The pampering from our head to our toes was absolutely amazing!”

Until tomorrow...

Second Retreat Begins with HOPE

The second retreat has started! It's especially fun for the staff to know what our guests have in store for them after experiencing the first retreat.

Lord God, we praise You for being a God of Hope. Thank you for Your intense awareness and heart for the poor and oppressed.

Lord, we pray for Your blessing over HOPE of the Harvest (a new part of WOC that speaks directly to that issue of poverty using the micro-loan model) as it is introduced to the retreat attendees. We want, Lord, to ignite a desire in Your chosen workers to become involved in HOPE... Lord, we ask that the purposes of HOPE are clear to those who You would call to serve – a way to enter into the lives of the poor and share the true riches that can only be found in Jesus Christ.

We pray for Cheryl, a retreat attendee who is involved in HOPE with her national women, as she prepares to share her experience at the retreat. Give her clarity and inspiration for the words to express Your heart. --Day 22, 30 Days of Prayer

We have a very special guest with us from Cameroon, West Africa. Cheryl is a cross-cultual worker who sponsored 4 national women that received (and repaid!) a HOPE of the Harvest micro-loan. Cheryl made a presentation at both retreats to introduce our attendees of this resource from WOC to further support their work in their country of service.

Cheryl also brought with her handmade purses, from one of the women' s micro-business. What a blessing to see the blessing of God in such a practical way.

Bless each and every one of Your beautiful harvest workers today. Thank you that they are at the retreat right now. We ask that You infuse each of them with a renewed sense of hope and confirmation that You have unique, loving plans for each of them. Help them to connect, unwind, rest in this small window of time, in a way that only You can orchestrate. Lord, Your door of hope is available to all who would enter; we pray all the attendees will walk through it and experience Your compassionate love. In Jesus’ name, Amen. --Day 22

Until tomorrow...

HOPE Team members with Cheryl, (l to r): Lorrie, Cindy, & Debbie

Day of Rest...for Retreat Staff

We pray for a time of quick rest, reflection, and needed decompressing time for the staff as they take the next 24 hours off before they welcome the ladies for the last retreat. Lord, soften the homesickness, and continue to give grace and strength to our families back in the States. --Day 23, 30 Days of Prayer

Today is a day of of much needed rest for the staff.

As you enjoy the photos Jeanne has taken of Thailand, I [Sharon] wanted to leave you with a few of my random impressions:

I have noticed when I buy shrimp at my local grocery store in the U.S. they are usually marked, "Product of Thailand." It would follow then that shrimp are plentiful here and included in every meal, it's similar to how we use hamburger in our dishes. Not a bad substitute at all in my book!

I personally am trying to eat my weight in papaya while I'm here,

just joking, maybe only half my weight.

On a more serious note it is very sobering to see

"Tsunami Evacation Routes" posted in all the hallways.

Please pray that we would serve our guests at this last retreat with as much energy and enthusiasum as we have had the previous two weeks. We want to finish well.

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12) -- Day 10

A Send-off Prayer

God, You are the one who puts all things together, making all things whole, Who made a lasting mark through the sacrifice of Jesus, the sacrifice of blood that sealed the eternal covenant, Who led Jesus, our Great Shepherd, up and alive from the dead. We ask now that You put us together, provide us with everything we need to please You, make us into what gives You most pleasure, by means of the sacrifice of Jesus, the Messiah. We give You all the glory Jesus, forever and always! (Hebrews 13:20-21 The Message) --Day5, 30 Days of Prayer

It is so hard to say goodbye. I wish you could be here with us and see what happens in person. Only through the working of our mighty God has the depth of sharing happened in such a short amount of time. We are hearing over and over how much our guests have been personally ministered to in a very deep way. We also hear that they wish the retreat was just a bit longer!

Today the teaching focused on how our life's purpose is for God's glory, no matter what the job we have been given. Sandi spoke of the wife of Noah and her uncertain future. What a woman of faith! (And yet we don't even know her name.) Mrs. Noah gave up EVERYTHING she knew and boarded the ark. Her world was never the same after the flood. The parting thoughts were two questions: What have our attendees given up to serve where they are? And what have they been given?

We hugged goodbye amidst many expressions of gratitude and lots of tears. What an amazing blessing to have had this moment in time to share with these precious daughters of the King.

May everyone be filled with thanksgiving and an overwhelming acknowledgement that Your presence has been working deeply among us. Please lead each one safely home, and bring the next set of attendees safely to Phuket. Holding these ladies' stories is a blessing and will forever be a part of our heart's burden. --Day 23

The Good Shepherd

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. (Psalm 23:1-3) -- Day 4, 30 Days of Prayer

Soon after I had asked Jesus to be the Lord of my life I was terrified that He would send me to Africa!! I have learned much since then about God always equipping us for what He has called us to do.

So, today I was especially moved as one of our guests shared that she didn’t meet the Lord until she was forty and her husband a year later. Within three years they were at seminary and have been serving in China for five years now. She said, “When we first read the Bible, it said 'go'.” And so they took 'go' literally and they went! Oh, that I had that kind of obedience.

Today , Sandi continued in Exodus 9:16, “…that I might show you My power”. And that power is available to us through prayer. She shared a different acronym to enhance our prayer life:

P – Praise
R – Repent
A – Ask
Y – Yield

Our prayer is that each time Your Word is sung, prayed or taught at the retreats, that it truly penetrate each of our souls, joints, marrow, judging our every thought and attitude, bringing glory and pleasure to You. In Jesus' name, Amen. --Day 7

I think we’re all eager to try to new ways to commune with our Father. Until tomorrow…

Designed for JOY

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made: Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. --Psalm 139: 14

Lord, You have created each one of us with unique qualitities abilities, personalities and appearances. No two of us are the same, and we are beautiful in Your sight. --Day 17, 30 Days of Prayer

Today was the first full day of the retreat.

An attendee shared about how a national woman who she works with in a very isolated area was forced to nurse a piglet because the pig's life was valued more than a woman's life. Another guest ministers in the slums of a city known for its sex trade. It is unfathomable for us to imagine the situations these women face in their work and their desperate need for the Lord's encouragement.

The rooms for haircuts, color analysis and pedicures are all in a row right next to the pool. It was fun to see our guests come in their beach attire for their pampering time. What a blessing to watch them enjoy themselves.

Allow every woman who enters their room to feel special, pampered and beautiful, highlighting the unique qualities with which You've created in each of the attendees.

-Day 17, 30 Days of Prayer

Let this room be filled not only with good lighting and enough space to accommodate everyone who enters, but also with joy and laughter. Let each woman leave with a better sense of who they are in You and an appreciation for who You've created them to be. --Day 17

Our guests comment at every retreat how much being able to worship in their heart language means to them.

The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17) --Day 9

After a sweet time of singing praise to the King of Kings, Sandi Bradford, our retreat speaker, talked to her "girlfriends." Her main point for today was that we were designed for JOY.. God's, mine and everyone we touch! The intersection between my role in God's larger purpose, and God's personal purpose in me is nothing short of exhilarating and humbling!

Until tomorrow...

The First Retreat Begins!

This is the first day of the first retreat! Lord, the WOTH staff's desire is to provide a safe, caring place for the women to be themselves. May the retreat staff be ready to listen, laugh, cry, hug or just be there for them. We pray that from the minute the ladies arrive, they will sense Your presence and deep love. We ask that they feel uniquely blessed as they receive their special Welcome Gift -- Day 20, 30 Days of Prayer

Our dear guests have arrived! There is a flurry of activity as new friends meet, pampering appointments scheduled, rooms found and a multitude of directions, instructions and announcements are made. Did that feel overwhelming? I think that is what our attendees may feel like when they first arrive because we are so excited for all we have prepared for them. There are so many options for them to choose from and yet we want them to rest and be still before the Lord.

Retreat Staff ready to serve.

Many of the comments the Retreat Attendees share have a common theme:

I don't deserve to be here
I need a break from all the responsibilities I have.
I desperately need this time to hear from God.
My being here is a story of God's mercy and timing.
I feel so alone and isolated. I need encouragement. I need to know that I am not alone!

Lorrie, WOTH Executive Director, with a Retreat Attendee

Tomorrow, Sandi, our speaker, will begin teaching from Exodus 9:16. Read it and let's see together how God answers the desires of these dear women.

Greetings from Thailand

Lord, we ask for traveling mercies once again today, as the WOTH team makes their way to Phuket. Today we lift up Toni, Rhea and Sharon, members of our volunteer staff. May they each be wide open to new experiences and resilient emotionally, spiritually and physically. Being in a foreign country, even for a short time, can be surprisingly draining. Use them fully, as You desire during their time in Thailand. We pray for all our luggage to arrive with us (they contain all the ladies' goodies and gifts!). --Day 19, 30 Days of Prayer

Greetings from Thailand!

My name is Sharon Woodroof. I am the Marketing and Development Assistant for Women of the Harvest. It will be my honor to author the blog for the Phuket Retreats, along with help from our photographer, Jeanne Damoff and editor in Denver, Cindy Blomquist.

When I was a child I always associated elephants with Africa; as I got older (and wiser I'm sure) I knew that there were both African and Asian elephants. However, now that I'm in Thailand with elephant symbols everywhere, I am sure I will always connect elephants to Thailand.

The entire team and all the luggage arrived. We spent the last week in Chiang Mai in nothern Thailand serving missionary women at the Christian Medical and Dental Association conference. We gave over 80 pedicures and haircuts, provided 40 color consultations and spent many hours laughing and praying with these dear women. The volunteer team has bonded well and is ready to serve in Phuket.

A very special reunion took place at that conference. One of our current volunteer staff had sponsored an attendee in Antalya, Turkey at the Fall Retreat last October. That attendee was at the CMDA conference. Not only did they meet but they were able to worship together with arms around one another and tears streaming down their faces. Only our wonderful Father could have arranged that meeting half-way around the world.

With that memory still fresh in our hearts we look forward with great expectation to what our great God has in store for our guests and for us. We so appreciate your prayers in partnering with us. Until tomorrow when we greet our first guests....