Some of us walk to the dining hall, rather than ride. The air is crisp and the walk invigorating. A few cars trundle past, heading down the narrow roadway toward breakfast. One-by-one, we gather at three large, round tables in the oversized hall -- our little islands in a sea of other guests at Silver Bay. One thing is certain. At Silver Bay, you get fed well. And whether it's food for the body, or food for the soul, there is plenty of both.

The woman's retreat has been held in Silver Bay, Lake George these past few years. The guest speakers have varied, but the messages are strong, inspiring, and the two and a half days never seems like enough. There is time over the weekend to dig deeper into one's spiritual life, to reconnect with God in the quiet moments, and get to know each other better. Though there are pre-set study sessions and quiet times, there is also free time for crafts and games, or to wander the grounds and view God's creation. Nights are spent singing songs around the campfire, sharing bits of our lives, and having good-natured fun. The mood of the weekend ranges from the serious to the hilarious. It's never dull.

This year, we had the pleasure of Karen Caldwell's company. A missionary to Mexico with her husband and family, Karen has undergone many physical, medical and spiritual challenges in her life. She shared her own story of her struggle to discover who she was in Christ, and what His purpose was for her. Her energy, and her strength of belief caused us all to think deeply about our own spiritual life. Who and what are we? Or as Karen put it, what are we not?

Comments from some attendees: "There were outstanding highlights of this weekend for me. One was the Christian fellowship with other women. The second was the outstanding witness and message of Karen Caldwell. Her zeal and love for the Lord were just contagious!" "Sharing a weekend with my Christian sisters; strengthening our love and friendship with each other; hearing and learning the Word of God - what a blessing! Karen Caldwell used her own life as an example to tell us how to search for God in our lives. It's a daily step, and it begins in the mind as a desire to be nearer to God."

"The retreat wasn’t what I expected at all. I thought maybe we would have some serious talks and lots of free time and play some games and come away refreshed and knowing each other better - kind of like a serious pajama party. Boy, was I wrong - even though I was part of the committee planning the retreat, God had other things in mind for us that weekend. As we listened to Karen Caldwell who talked to us from her heart, it became very evident that many of us were truly seeking a deeper experience of God than we presently had. As the weekend unfolded her talks, our thoughts and prayers and conversation became what I would only be able to call "intense." I don’t think there was one woman there who wasn’t changed in some way, challenged in her Christian walk (one woman asked Jesus into her heart at the final meeting) and committed to a deeper spiritual life after the retreat. So many of us were touched so deeply, it was reassuring to hear that others had been affected in the same way, lest we feel it was just an emotional high.

We couldn’t have planned the weekend to happen the way it did - it was God that put Karen in our minds, it was God who made her willing and available to come for the whole weekend and stay with us, and it was God who softened our hearts and put a hunger for him there." "I was deeply touched by Karen's energy of spirit. Her strong love of God, and her commitment in the face of so many struggles showed me that God is in control, even if we're flat on our backs. The weekend retreats are spiritually uplifting, and a wonderful time to get to know other women within the church body."

If you didn’t attend the retreat this year for some reason, you can listen to the tapes which give some of the material that was covered. There are two copies in the church library. Please feel free to borrow them and listen and perhaps next year we will see you there with us.

The Covered Dish

One of the printed materials they left on the missionary table was a collection of Turkish recipes prepared by Turkish World Outreach. I thought it would be fun to share some of them with you in case you feel adventurous some dreary winter day.

White Bean Salad (fasulye pilaki)

Wash the beans well and soak them overnight in five cups of water. The next morning, boil the beans in the water in which they were soaked. Continue boiling until the beans are tender (1 hr)

Sauté the onion, celery, carrots and garlic in olive oil, stirring until tender (about 15 min.). This should be done in a large saucepan. Add the parsley, dill and drained beans to the sautéed vegetables. Mix them well. Add the tomato sauce and lemon juice; simmer, stirring frequently, for 20 min. Salt and pepper to taste. Cool and serve chilled.

Barbecue meat on a skewer (shish kebab)

Marinate the meat 2-3 hours or overnight in oil, lemon and onion juice. Thread meat on the skewers alternately with onion and tomato quarters and pepper squares. Cook over coals until tender (4-8 min.) Turning several times. Remove, sprinkle with salt, pepper and thyme.

Squash fritters (Mücver)

Heat the oil in a large heavy skillet. Mix all other ingredients together and drip squash batter by tablespoon full into the hot oil (something like dollar size pancakes.) Turn once after 2-3 minutes when light brown. Drain on paper towels. Add more oil to pan if necessary when frying additional fritters.

Meat Balls for the Sultan’s Harem (kadin budu Köfte)

Sauté the rice in the butter for 5 minutes. Add the water, bring to a boil, cover and simmer until rice is tender and water is absorbed (about 10-15 min). Puree the onion in a blender or grate it. Combine thoroughly cooked rice, onion, meat, cheese, parsley, dill, salt and pepper. Shape the meat into oval balls like a small, flattened egg. Roll in flour, dip in beaten egg and fry quickly in 1 inch very hot oil until outsides are crisp and brown.

Legend has it that this dish was so good:
The Sultan Fainted (imam bayildi)

Peel the eggplant in 1 inch stripes alternating peeled and unpeeled stripes. Cup the eggplants in half length-wise and scoop out the seeds and some of the pulp leaving a pocket. Discard the seeds. Save the pulp to use later if needed.

Cut the onions in half, then cut each half into half moon slices. Sprinkle the onion slices with lots of salt and rub them briefly in your hands, extracting the bitter juice. Rinse the onions and mix them with the tomatoes, parsley, garlic and salt. Fill the eggplant pockets with the onion mixture and place them side by side in a baking dish. Stir the sugar into the olive oil and water and pour the liquid over the pockets. Bake at 350 for 1 ½ hours. Uncover the last 20 min.

The Bible exists in the Turkish language. Each year about 2,000 Bibles and 5,000 New Testaments are sold in Turkey. Two new modern translations of the New Testament have been produced. Translators are presently working on the Old Testament in modern Turkish. Pray that many people will get a copy of the Word of God and read it.

With so few Turkish believers, young converts cannot find marriage partners who are believers. About 85% of the Turkish believers are young men, all of them are looking for wives. Many are forced to marry Muslim women because most marriages are arranged by the parents. Pray that more women will be converted.

In Turkish thinking religion and nationality are united: A Turk is a Muslim and a Greek is a Christian. Therefore, it is extremely difficult for a Turk to think of becoming a Christian without being labeled as a traitor to his country. Many who have made decisions to follow Christ have fallen away after being persecuted as traitors. Pray for Turkish Christians.

I will give you a thought for today: When I wait for someone else, or expect someone else to make my life richer, or fuller, or more satisfying, it puts me in a constant state of suspension; and I miss all of those moments that pass me by. They never come back to be experienced again.

The steps I am taking today will never again be taken in exactly the same way. My thoughts I am thinking are fresh, never to be repeated. All that these moments offer will never pass my way again.

In Matthew 22:37 - " Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. -38- " This is the first and great commandment. - Jesus says that if I truly love God and my neighbor, I will naturally keep the commandments. Doing this, I am looking a God's law positively. Rather than worrying about all I should not do, I should concentrate on all I can do to show my love for God and others. In sweetening the life of someone else, In relieving a brother's distress, my soul finds it's highest advancement - And the noblest blessedness. - That life is alone worth the living - that lives for another's gain.

Your nature and my nature ( as above ) must be enriched by experience. We are not naturally gently to all men. There is a harshness in us that needs to be mellowed. We are apt to be heedless of the feelings of others, to forget how many hearts are sore, and carry heavy burdens. We are not so gentle toward sorrow, because our own hearts have never been ploughed. The best university cannot teach you and me the divine art of sympathy. You and I must walk in the deep valley ourselves, and then we can be touched, and can give help to others in life's sore stress and need.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans - now ! We can speak our truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too will have their story.

Do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Focus on God, and His word - in secret - alone with Him - for His - Holy Spirits - direction, and companionship, and peace beyond compare.

Keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world; It is even more beautiful because He is with you and I in every thought, word, and deed and heart and soul - to your core.

God bless each and every one today - now and throughout Your Life and mine - and through eternity - Never give up - Never - Never - Never - Never - Never --!!!

In His Service - Peg Mulyca

Celia Petronis

Last March The Saratoga Chapel Ladies Trio Plus 2 (the Plus 2 were Emilyand Carol Hale) delivered some Irish tunes to about 9 of my Meals-on-Wheels clients. We sang Danny Boy, When Irish Eyes Are Smiling, Be Thou My Vision and I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say to Emily's lilting and lovely violin accompaniment. Not one of them had ever received a singing telegram before and several were moved to tears by the music and by the fact that we brought this wonderful gift right to their door! We were blessed just as much if not more than they were and looked forward to another opportunity.

Christmastime presented another occasion to deliver songs befitting the birth of Christ which we did on Dec. 20th--When Love Was Born, The Magnificat, Jesu Bambino, Deck the Halls and We Wish You a Merry Christmas. The reaction was much the same but it was hard to sing the last song to two of my clients whose tears were mixed with the grief of recently losing their husbands and trying to celebrate Christmas without their dear mates...lots of hugs and words of sympathy and encouragement were bestowed as well as songs.

The Meals-on-Wheels program in Malta is very much in need of more volunteers. You can deliver once a week, bi-monthly or even once a month if you want. The clients are very grateful for the service, and a more appreciative listening audience cannot be found!

Celia Petronis

The Caldwells have reached their destination, Morelia. They have found a house near their office, and are in the process of fixing it up. They have made friends with a local family, who is helping them get acclimated. They are looking forward to getting the work going in earnest.

The Sawyers had a good trip to the middle east, and we enjoyed their company on their way home. On a negative note, they have lost a major supporter, who has retired.

Tom Little was able to go to Kabul, Afghanistan for a short time to try to get their work reestablished. Results are more encouraging than could have been expected, even though much was stolen.

Karen is ministering in Pátzcuaro this weekend at a woman’s retreat. She was asked by Pastor Pablo to share her story about how God has healed her from the sickness we had for so long. Karen plans to read many of the encouraging scripture verses that God used to comfort her during the illness. She will be praying for a number of woman. You are welcome to pray with us that these woman will experience God’s special love for them.

I keep repeating this phrase: Nunca habia sido tan feliz… I have never been so happy.

Nico, who just completed his first week, is greatly helping me with the RYCCA camps.

Matt from Oneida, N.Y., is wrapping up multiple projects: computers networked last night, plans to finish some plumbing today and electrical for the RYCCA office Monday.

I have been working with a new friend on a unique portable "hotel" for our first major retreat project in March.

Our family is blessed. Our kids are making friends. We are making friends. Our health allows us to do so much more than before. Our life is rich with people to see and places to go and a great God to direct us.

Needs:
Appliance Repair Visitation Transportation Temp.Housing
Auto Repair Legal Assistance
Budget Planning Light Housecleaning Moving help
Baby Clothing Yard Work
Companionship Baby Layette
Child Care Baby furniture
Dental Assistance school supplies
Errands
Food Delivery

In early fall, my husband, Dave, and I had new carpet installed in our home. After doing all the prep work ourselves, it was an answer to prayer that our backs weren’t acting up as they sometimes do. But cold and allergy symptoms soon appeared and my doctor prescribed three medications that sent my heart racing into states of pounding that lasted until Christmas. In early November, I discovered a breast lump. ("Lord, I wasn’t planning on spending all this time on medical things.) Also, Dave and I got word that his mother, who lived in Florida, died unexpectedly. The day before Thanksgiving, I was having tests done and answering endless email correspondence regarding the December 1^st memorial service in Florida instead of making pies. The Lord however, was faithful and trustworthy once again and provided peace through this difficult time and showed me that He holds our times in His hands. The Lord blessed me with all negative test results and Thanksgiving weekend was a blessing with our three kids, our oldest’s first Thanksgiving home with us in nine years. Lamentations 3:22-24 says: "Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, the Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him." We may make plans but in the end, He determines how we spend our days.

The Lord’s hand was evident again surrounding the timing of mom’s death. Dave’s brother, Ted, (he and his family are missionaries in Costa Rica), and his daughter made a trip to the states for what they thought would be July and August. The Lord provided a house sitter in Costa Rica and so his wife, Juli, and their other children were unexpectedly able to join Ted and their daughter for the month of August. My husband and I, along with two of our kids were planning on going to NYC, but again the Lord’s plan was different and we were blessed with a trip to Michigan to visit with Ted and his family. Juli, who had battled with cancer four years earlier, had a newly discovered lump. Word came that her cancer had returned. It was the Lord’s hand that brought Ted and his daughter to the US originally and the Lord’s hand that had brought Juli here too. Because of the Lord’s timing, she could now receive immediate medical treatment, which caused them to still be here when mom died in mid-November. Also, our son, Steve, who lives in Washington State, would now be able to spend some time with his aunt and uncle and his four cousins whom he hadn’t seen in eight years. Another blessing that came out of this was that Ted was able to visit our church, meet our congregation and update them on his work in Costa Rica. Again, we saw the Lord’s direction and blessings sprinkled in with trials and grief.

As the time for the memorial service neared, the Lord could only have orchestrated what was to follow. Thirty-five family members arrived in Florida from 11 states. Transportation from the airport was coordinated, and rides shared. (Thank you Lord that no one’s luggage was lost and planes were on time!) The love of the Lord shown to us by the people in the Penney Farms Retirement Community where mom had lived was a very special blessing. They opened up their homes and housed all of us, provided a meal after the service and at other various times, and also provided one of the many trips to the Jacksonville Airport. It was a blessing to have Ted lead the memorial service and give testimony to his mother’s faithfulness to the Lord during her lifetime. As four generations gathered together at that moment, it was a testimony to the Lord’s faithfulness; her children and grandchildren loved the Lord, and all loved being together.

As everyone headed home, my back was beginning to protest the two round trips to the Orlando airport we had made, a three and one half hour drive one way. I knew recovery for my back would be slow. The Lord again was teaching me patience and resting in Him. Doing less is not one of my stronger suits and Christmas was only three weeks away! Again, the Lord proved faithful, showing me how to trust Him day by day. One by one, our three children where back home for the holidays. What a joy and blessing to be able to have an extended visit again, so soon. Little did we know that by the end of 2001 we would see Steve for three visits in just a short span of five weeks, an unheard of occurrence. The Lord is so good!

During Christmas break, our youngest son, Tim, was preparing for his college January term in Zambia. We thank the Lord that his first two vaccinations went well, without any reactions. His third shot caused muscle pain in his legs. After blood work at the local hospital, a doctor’s visit and a return trip to the hospital for an ultrasound, all tests thankfully, came back negative. Again the Lord was testing our trust and faith in Him and saying, just rest in me. Sending him off two days later for three weeks in Africa after the doctor noted that the pain could last for several weeks, was another act of trusting God. We have now received an email report that his group arrived safely in Africa and that his leg pain has disappeared. Thank you again, Lord!

There have been more blessings and more acts of God than there is room to mention here, but during these past five months I have learned more about trusting the Lord and having faith in who He is and what He has said in His Word. I have learned patience, more about His peace, His grace and His mercy. We have experienced many blessing from Him and have felt His closeness and hand on our lives. He is in control and His timing is always perfect. His faithfulness and love toward his children are incomparable and all things do work together for the good of them that love Him.

Janet Kautzmann