God brings together a beautiful mosaic of volunteers to serve Global Women at Thrive retreats. When first-time volunteer Donna met veteran volunteer Marcia in September, she had no idea how conversations about Marcia’s experience with Thrive were going to take her down a new path. Marcia shared about watching God work at the Thrive retreat in Croatia and listened as Donna shared her lifelong respect and support for Global Women from home. When Marcia heard the regret in Donna’s voice that she hadn’t participated in trips like Thrive retreats when she was younger, Marcia encouraged Donna to join her in Puerto Vallarta. She began praying and gently encouraging Donna through ensuing months. As Donna studied the Word, she read in Exodus 7:6-7 “Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord commanded them. Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three when they spoke to Pharaoh.” At eighty-three years old, Donna heard the Lord’s calling to go. She joined a team of seven women from her church (Wheaton Bible Church) to travel together to Puerto Vallarta and will be serving on the pedicure team and as a small group co-facilitator. Donna brings rich life experiences to share as she encourages both fellow volunteers and Global Women. When asked about her age, she says with a gentle smile, “It’s just a number. I’m in good health, and I don’t want to be a couch potato.”
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