I'm watching snow swirl in Gloucester, Massachusetts where a statue was erected overlooking the harbor in honor of The Fisherman's Wife.  It depicts a woman waiting with her children as she scans the horizon for a husband who often faces bitter storms and dangerous seas. The statue celebrates the brave wives who watched, waited, and were known for being the soul of the fishing community.

Earlier in my week, gusts of wind and a churning ocean beat the waves against the rocky coast. While beautiful, the topography depicts a rugged, hard life. I couldn't help but be curious and found a local resident who launched into fascinating tales of her Sicilian grandmother and the difficult life of a fisherman's wife. Yet, she spoke highly of the community of support experienced in this once thriving fishing village.  Stories of care for and from women who lived hard lives but didn't live them alone.

I was reminded of stories we are hearing from women around the world, wives living in the landscape of church planting, who are experiencing the encouragement of sharing their journey together.

Bradford Phelan from the Harbor Church in San Diego wrote; "We had a special night tonight. Our church celebrated the San Diego Unified Board passing the charter for our new school called City Heights Prep.  It was a powerful experience to be in that public Board meeting, with Harbor Church brothers and sisters in Christ from every race, class, and culture, all there representing Jesus' passion for bringing justice to the education of inner city children!"

From an attendee at the Global Church Advancement Conference; In the 15 years of ministry, that my husband and I have done together, I have never had someone in the ministry to confide in and talk to. After attending the conference, I feel a great sense of hope that I haven't felt in a very long time.

Sherri Wilhelm from the Atlanta Parakaleo group wrote;  It was such a joy to have the time with you [ladies] this week. It made me realize freshly how you've grown the "organization" or organism - into something so meaningful and powerful and essential. I love seeing what [Parakaleo] does for the gals and love the email contacts with the ones we met with [at the retreat]. I feel blessed to be a tiny part of it - and felt very affirmed in my little role as we met together.  Thank you for that. May you be blessed and filled with the Spirit and His wisdom and strength each day.

From a participant at Parakleo's February Retreat in Galveston

I feel like I have access to about 30% of the oxygen I need to survive.  When I am among the women from Parakaleo I feel like I am breathing in 100% of the oxygen I need.  I can fully be me.  I can bring all of my crap and lay it on the table and no one pulls back in horror.  I can be fully where I am at with all of my apathy and sarcasm, and yet be encouraged in love to examine why I am feeling this way. I would, FOR SURE, recommend this retreat to other women in church planting.

Lazara de Perez in Cuba wrote, We have been thinking of you constantly these last weeks in Cuba and the unforgettable time we spent in New York. But we are especially remembering you during this training event. The first week was the leaders training, and the second week was for the new participants. It was a tremendous blessing for us with 41 participants.  We finished with a night of celebration unlike any we are used to. All of us leave aware of the deep heart work accomplished and still needed.  Elizabeth Wright with Open Hearts Ministry led the training event. We at Parakaleo are in awe that we have the privilege of being one small part of what is happening in Cuba.

Another attendee at Global Church Advancement Conference wrote; Honestly, I didn't know what to expect and I dreaded it!   Boy, was I pleasantly surprised.  I had a blast and was very ministered to. I am completely obsessed with this notion of a Gospel focused and transformed life. That has been a buzzword for a few years now, but I just couldn't "get it."   I felt like your tools were so practical and I have already run through the handouts with my husband.  We are already applying the teaching to our every day.  I have a love/hate relationship with the Gospel...it is so exposing (yuck) and so healing and freeing all at the same time.  Before you think I may be stalking you...don't worry...it is Christ I am after!....I just feel strongly that women need to hear the message I heard last week. 

The statue for the fisherman's wife was erected for women who lived courageous lives. Wives who watched and waited for husbands to return home never quite knowing if they actually would. Mothers who continued raising families while fathers were away. Women who built communities on strength and hope.

Likewise in church planting, wives watch and wait wondering, often daily, the outcome of the plant. They are mothers carrying extra responsibility for fathers who are away nights and weekends.  They are women pouring hours of hard work to build the church and bring Christ to their local communities. 

Unlike the fisherman's wife, however, she isn't waiting on her husband to come through as much as she is waiting on Christ to rescue. Often she is waiting for the gospel to become as true for her as it is for others.  We won't deny it. The topography of church planting can be harsh and cause us to wrestle with doubts and insecurities.  Any time we are involved  fighting evil and bringing the good news of Christ to a relationship or to an entire community, the work will be difficult. However, the joy of discovering the depth of this good news in a community with others who are on the same journey of church planting can be transforming!