the chapel of Camp Mihaska located in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains
in Bourbon, Missouri, all of them brimming with anticipation for what the
next few days would hold. Time to reflect, to fellowship, to connect with the
Lord. Time for me, for my friends, and yes, for BLINGO! But in the end, it
wasn't the excitement of "me" time that made the retreat special. It was the
passionate teaching of our guest that left us different than when we came.
large banner proclaiming "Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay,
you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand" (Isaiah 64:8). On center
stage sat a pottery wheel, where throughout the weekend special guest Nan-
cy Harbron used her pottery skills to show how God molds His people from
lumps of stubborn clay into precious vessels used for His purposes. From an
imperfect mound of earth, Nancy formed a beautiful jar, all the while likening
the process to the life of a Christian whose life is placed in God's hands.
manship. We don't always understand. We don't always like it. Sometimes it is
painful. Often it is uncomfortable. But God is faithful, and in the end, if we let
Him, He will create something beautiful out of these ordinary lumps of clay.
gram opened in the Chicago Lawn
Corps and has been fundamental in
the development and growth of our
congregation. This ministry brought
women of all backgrounds from the
community and gave us the perfect
opportunity to reach out to them with
God's Word. The result is many of the
women are coming to church with
their family, some became soldiers
and all of them invited their ex-
tended families and friends, leading
to the growth of our congregation.
that people who volunteer can make
a difference not only in others' lives
lives as they find
satisfaction. Volunteering also helps
to heal depression. When it comes to
participating in the various corps
service projects, our women are all
committed to serving, and they take
it upon themselves to do the most
good in all that they do. All of them
have learned to treat people with
love, dignity and respect.
Care Ministry program, was started
by a member of our Women's Min-
istry. Some people who wait to be
hired at Cicero Ave and 31st Street
and Western Ave and 47th Street
stand in line all day long without
anything to eat. Thanks to the
items and prepare and
serve sandwiches, we
are able to feed 450 to
480 laborers per month.
maintain the corps by
week. They do it with love and joy.
They also package and distribute
food for our Food and Mobile
Pantry. Women's Ministry has been
a blessing for many who have found
love, acceptance and meaning
through salvation in Jesus Christ.
tation from the corps to join our
women's meeting. Serving others by
participating in the food pantry
helped to heal her from depression.
We invited her to our Sunday wor-
ship services and after a few weeks
at an evangelist music concert she
received Jesus Christ as her Savior.
She began growing in the knowl-
edge of God's word and became a
soldier. Christ has done wonders in
her life because of her faithfulness.
change. She has become the "aunt"
and the "grandmother" for so many
at the corps. "God is real, she says.
"I know that because He is taking
care of me every day. In The Salva-
tion Army I found Christ, a family
and meaning for my life."
TION