We were blessed to experience a fulfilling weekend together in Hatten-Sandkrug, Germany. About 40 women accepted the invitation and made a conscious effort to set aside time for fellowship, spiritual reflection, and personal connections.
Our speaker, Dagmar Dorn, Women’s Ministries (WM) Director of the Inter-European Division, led us into the life stories of some women in the Bible. At the same time, she shared her own life with us and impressively demonstrated how God guides life’s paths and accompanies change—often in ways we don't expect, but always with a good purpose.
On Friday, I had the privilege of picking her up in Bremen after she had just returned from an intensive week in the U.S., where she had participated in a meeting of the worldwide division leaders of the WM Department. Despite the long journey, her joy and commitment were palpable from the very first moment.
Even though the weather was rather mixed, it did not dampen the atmosphere—on the contrary, the reunion, many good conversations, and the anticipation of the weekend together let the sun shine in our hearts.
We focused particularly on the moving story of Pua and Shifra, the midwives of Exodus 1:15–21. Their courageous and God-fearing actions saved the lives of many children. This biblical account reminded us anew of how important it is to hold fast to God’s standards and trust Him even in difficult situations.
On the Sabbath, we explored these themes further in a discussion following the sermon. In small groups, we engaged in an in-depth exchange on the following questions:
1. What role do courage and creativity play in faith today?
2. What does this story reveal about God’s guidance—even when we don’t recognize it immediately?
3. How can our trust in God influence and encourage others?
The conversations were open, honest, and encouraging. It became clear how different life situations are—and at the same time, how faith in God brings us together.
The theme for Sunday was: “God looks into the heart!” Drawing on Hebrews 11, we focused on faith as the sustaining force in our lives. We were invited to renew our trust in God and to make room for Him even in the small and seemingly insignificant moments.
In addition to the spiritual insights, the sense of community was also a valuable part of the weekend. Shared meals, conversations, laughter, and mutual encouragement made these days special. With hearts full of joy, many new ideas, and fortified by a hearty lunch, we finally said our goodbyes. We look back on this weekend with gratitude and carry these new insights and encouragement with us into our daily lives.