This weekend Iglesia Bautista Vida Nueva's annual women's retreat. Just over 130 women from all four of our sites (Miravalle, Crown Plaza, Lourdes, Apopa) traveled two hours north of San Salvador to Hotel Alicante. This year's theme was "Metamorphosis."
The two days were full of activities (painting our personal Metamorphosis tote bag, visiting a butterfly garden, games and dramas), sharing (prayer time, meals and group discussions) and personal reflection time.
The days were also full of great Bible studies as we heard from three different teachers who focused on the phases of the butterfly life cycle. First, Ena Lopez taught us about the caterpillar! Did you know that not all caterpillars become butterflies? This reminded us of immature Christians who still need milk long after they should be feasting on the meat of the word (Hebrews 5:11-14.) Dr. Marta Colato taught about the chrysalis. We never realized until we saw it on video just how the small caterpillar struggles to envelop itself in a hard protective shell. What comes next for the chrysalis? Waiting! They are wrapped up and hanging from a thread for 21-23 days. The chrysalis reminds us to put off the set aside the old things, renew our minds with the mind of Christ and be ready to become a new creature (Ephesians 4:22-24.) Patty Contreras finished the study by talking about the finished work of the butterfly! Just like the butterfly there is a process to follow to be transformed into a new creature. It includes worshiping God, finding peace in his Word and offering him our surrendered lives. (2 Kings 5:1-14.)
We were left to answer the following questions: In what part of the process of metamorphosis are we? What do we need to do to begin/continue the process of transformation so we can become the women Christ intends us to be?
Craft time
Chrysalis at the butterfly garden
Beautiful orange butterfly
My small group discussing after the first Bible study session
Grounds of the hotel--a bit too cold to swim, though.
It was so great to get to know the ladies in my small group
Group picture in our Metamorphosis shirts
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