Women's Fellowship Program

By Ida Maust

It was a beautiful morning as we gathered in the large tent. We came from many different states and countries. I sat and watched them coming. In the front of the tent, in a circle, stood a group of ladies praying.

Some came with babies and young children. Some walked with canes. There were missionaries who were home with their family for a break, there were those getting ready to leave their families to share Jesus with those in other countries.

There was Elsie Peachey, whose husband, Emanuel, had died in 1959 and at age 94 she was able to attend today. She stayed at home many times while Emanuel was away from home in revival meetings and Executive Committee meetings. Their daughter, Miriam, said Emanuel often said he knew there were at least two people who always supported him - his wife and daughter. They blest my life and shared their home with us.

There was Mildred Miller, former missionary, who was also a widow, and now walked with a cane. She came to the sisters' meeting, too. How special to sit with her and talk.

They kept coming, and I kept thinking of other sisters' meetings in the past--the times I tried to attend while raising nine children and spent most of that time, it seemed, on the outside, while my husband was in meetings. Today I felt like I should offer to take care of some mother's children so she could enjoy and listen to the sisters' meeting. But, now there was child-care with activities for all ages of children.

We sang songs of praise and worship to God. How beautiful! The theme was "My Father's Will" and Naomi Byler spoke on the topics of "Resting in His Care" and "Embracing His Sovereignty." She shared from her heart how God has met her needs in many circumstances--good times and bad times. God, a sovereign God, cares about our needs. She said we can come to Him with all our needs. He is a perfect God Who cares for us as His children. I thought of the times I ran to my Father as a little girl and he picked me up and held me close. And that's what God does to me now! How precious! I didn't know the pain from having a Father who took his life as Naomi did, and she still found this sovereign God was sufficient for her needs. Naomi sang a solo with her daughter playing the piano:

"The Lord has a will and I have a need,
To follow that will, to humbly be still,
To rest in it, nest in it,
Fully be blest in it;
Following my Father's will."

There was much more, and it was so good!

Audrey Miller and Suzanne Beachy shared their testimonies. I can't begin to tell you all I received. I wish you could have been there. Order the tape and you can listen for yourself. Imagine sitting and singing and sharing with over 200 women in a tent in the beautiful Kishacoquillas Valley, feeling a gentle breeze, hearing the trot of horses' hooves, a dog barking or a baby crying and feeling the warmth and love of all these sisters who love and serve a sovereign God who loves and cares for you.

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