<\/p>\n
Under the theme \u201cRest,\u201d the conference included worship, devotions, Bible studies, and free time for fellowship. Guest speaker Don Patterson, WELS\u2019 South Central district president, developed Bible studies to help the women find \u201cJoy in the Journey.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery part of the conference was planned with the idea of missionary wives connecting with God\u2019s Word and each other,\u201d says Linda Marquardt, who serves alongside her husband in the Asia-Oceania region. \u201cMy favorite part was seeing missionary wives from different countries connecting, having meaningful conversations, praying with each other, and forming lasting friendships.\u201d<\/p>\n
Those connections are important as these women deal with the unique situations that occur when living in a mission field, including learning the local languages and customs, discovering their own vocation in their distinct setting, and finding creative ways to connect with faraway family.<\/p>\n
\u201cA handful of the attendees are called to serve in public mission roles, but all are the unsung heroes of the work we carry out,\u201d says Larry Schlomer, administrator of WELS World Missions. \u201cIn unique overseas settings, they learn how to live out their faith and carry out personal ministry, often in quiet and unseen ways. At the same time, they give up US careers and familiar school systems for their children and manage homes in places where it can feel like all the rules have changed, serving in so many ways as the backbone of mission work around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
Started in 2017, this conference occurs once every three years. \u201cBefore having these conferences, we might know the few other missionary wives in our region or meet some others at Lutheran Women\u2019s Missionary Society conventions, but now we have friendships with other sisters in Christ around the world,\u201d says Marquardt.<\/p>\n
Between the conferences, missionary wives continue to support and encourage one another in monthly Zoom meetings.<\/p>\n
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