From the 9th to
the 13th of August we celebrated the seventh
International Conference of the Bethany
Association (an international and ecumenical
association of women living single for the
Lord in the Sword of the Spirit) in Glasgow,
Scotland. The theme was “Living Single for the
aLord in the Sword of the Spirit”. 26 sisters
gathered from 10 countries and many different
cultures but together in one same ideal: to
love the Lord with an undivided heart, being
totally consecrated to him and making him our
portion and our treasure.
For the first day of the conference we had the
pleasure to receive our brother from the
Servants of the Word, David Quintana, who
encouraged us by speaking about the prophetic
place we have as women living single for the
Lord in the Sword of the Spirit and the
richness of this way of life. In the following
days we had work sessions led by the sisters
in the Bethany Association Council where we
discussed about our relationships as Bethany
Association sisters, our vision for the
future, supporting the sisters who are
discerning, promoting vocations and more about
our way of life.
Although it was not only work! What a
blessing it was to share with women of many
ages, cultures, countries and languages and
yet being able to enjoy in fellowship! We
had times to share and celebrate between us:
the latinas taught “Salsa” Dancing, the
filipinas showed us the art of Tagalog; we
had time to sing, talk and listen one
another’s adventures in life. Of course we
couldn’t miss the beauties of such a
wonderful country, so we took a day trip
under the traditional, rainy scottish
weather. We went to Stirling Castle and
visited a beautiful small village names
Luss.
Thank you, Lord, for allowing us to live
and share this time together as
sisters!
We would like to specially thank our
brothers and sisters of the Community of the
Risen Christ, in Glasgow, Scotland for being
our hosts. We could truly experience the
Lord’s love through your hospitality. Thank
you!
What the Lord said to us:
The Lord definitively spoke to each one of our
hearts during the prayer times. He affirmed
that he has called us with a purpose that has
not been given to anyone else and that he has
called us to live out this way of life in a
specific way for such a time as this. He spoke
to us about seeking for a greater unity among
us and walking closer to him
(#BetterTogether).
The Lord gave us a certainty in our hearts of
the great things he has prepared for Single
Life in the Sword of the Spirit and how his
Spirit is eager to call more sisters to give
out their lives more fully to him.
We ask for your prayers…
That the Lord may allow us to be fruitful
and respond faithfully to the call he has
given us.
That he will fulfill all the Bethany
Association’s projects and plans.
That the Lord may call more sisters to live
single for him.
