2015 Central Indiana Women of Worth Retreat

The Central Indiana Women of Worth Retreat is the result of two WOW groups working together. The Indianapolis Chapter led by Debby Gaskins and the Anderson, Indiana Chapter led by Barb Brock formed a retreat committee which plans and oversees this annual event. 

Together, these groups accomplish more than either of them could alone

 and many lives are blessed with the result.

This retreat report was submitted by Barb Brock. 

A BEAUTIFUL FRAGRANCE

Debby Gaskins, Indianapolis WOW Chapter Leader

Many thanks to ICHA Campground for hosting the 2015 Central Indiana Wow Retreat! It is because of ICHA'S investment in this ladies' ministry , that we can keep the cost affordable, making it possible for many more ladies to attend. 

Anderson WOW Committee

Our attendance was down this year because of a late winter snow storm, however  over 100 ladies gathered from across the Tri-state for a fantastic weekend.  The Central Indiana Retreat begins on Friday afternoon, with an overnight stay and dismisses by 4:00 PM  Saturday. A lot is packed into those two days

Refreshments at the Retreat

Barb Brock, Anderson, IN WOW Leader

Excitement ran high as guests arrived Friday afternoon, and entered the "Meet And Greet" Welcome Center. Tasty refreshments were awaiting the weary travelers, and there was time to wind down and relax by meandering among the tables set up for a "Silent "Auction or by browsing through  the "Book Nook", or by just  sipping a refreshing drink with a friend.

Roses from Colombia 

 Ladies enjoying the Friday evening banquet.

 But the main event of the evening, was the opening banquet and The Daniel Edward's Family Concert. The hall was beautifully decorated with 200 fresh, long stem pink roses, imported from Colombia. The catered roast pork dinner with all the trimmings was delicious and the concert was wonderfully relaxing and  inspirational ! What a talented family! The concert was full of variety, singing, instrumentals, and Daniel Edwards playing his saw. A special treat was when Daniel's two sisters and his dear mom joined them for a song. What a blessed evening. 

Daniel Edwards playing the saw

The Daniel Edwards Family

Esther Dotson Coner speaking at the retreat

Saturday was filled to the brim, beginning with a Breakfast buffet.  Everyone was looking forward to the sessions, with our featured speaker, Esther Dotson Coner. As a child, she became a vital part of the Edwards Family Music Ministry. After she married Tim Dotson, they pursued a music ministry of their own. Across the years her music has been a great blessing. The majority of the ladies  at the retreat had never heard Esther  speak, although she was known to us as a beautiful, accomplished musician. However, we discovered that Esther Dotson Coner is a very gifted, inspirational speaker. The Lord helped her develop our theme, "A Beautiful Fragrance" in an amazing way! Her transparency took us on a journey into the hidden places of her heart. She referred to them as faith building places, that God had used in her life.  Esther pulled back the curtains that covered a bleeding heart, and led us down the corridors of her inner soul, to witness the survival of faith in the midst of a fierce and deadly storm. And God used not only the storm, but the "aftermath and the clean-up" of it as faith builders in her life.  He was in the midst of it all.  Faith in her God has survived helped her survive and brought her through victoriously.

Esther Dotson Coner with her sister, Elizabeth Bell

The ladies left the retreat filled to the brim with a week-end of blessings and with a challenge  to be like Mary and let the atmosphere of our daily lives be permeated with the beautiful fragrance of Christ in us!