This was an amazing weekend, not exactly what I expected, but definitely how God wanted it. First off, out of 22 girls invited, 8 girls came to our Esther Treatment Retreat. God revealed that only those who were ready were there.
The goal was to serve these young ladies and treat them like queens by offering beauty treatments and talking about what real beauty is, inside and out. Also to impart to them that before they can make an earthly man their king, they must make Jesus their King of kings.
We enjoyed special sessions by Minelly Jimenez, Diana Serrano, Lynette Morales, Nina Maldonado, and Sandra Dean. The theme was royalty and the session topics were based on inner and outer beauty, being broken before the feet of Jesus, God’s amazing love for us, being married to the King of kings and the continual refining process of royalty. We had a beautiful banquet style meal where the girls dressed up in beautiful dresses and gowns and were served with love and excellence. We went to the creek, played volleyball and had great one on one time.
I believe that this weekend was a weekend of preparation. The process of being prepared as the bride of Christ has been established in the lives of these young ladies. I’m so excited to see what God will do next and that we get to be a part of it is a privilege.
All the girls that went were girls that never really had spent time together outside of Teen Haven in Lancaster. I was a little concerned that since it was a small group, the ice might be a little hard to break, but I was wrong. They connected instantly.
One young lady in particular, Tonya*, just started going to a new high school, McCaskey. She was expressing how she feels alone, like she’s the only Christian there. She didn’t know that two of the other girls with us also went to McCaskey. They invited her to bible club. Tonya left with new friendships and with new confidence, she knows that she’s not walking with Jesus alone at school.
Another young lady, Emily*, is interested in the student leadership program at Teen Haven. She has a heart for children and in her junior year at McCaskey. She has great potential, her heart is set in Christ and if it’s God’s will, we’ll have her on our leadership team this summer.
I thank God that He got us through the planning process with just enough energy to get us through the entire weekend as well. He’s amazing and His purpose surely was accomplished this weekend. We’ll continue to pray that these young ladies will continue to walk in the decisions to make the Lord their King and their Groom.
- Nina Maldonado, Lancaster Girls Program Coordinator, Teen Haven
*name changed
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