It was a highly-anticipated trip! What will develop next? Margaret Gibb, Founder and Director of Women Together, asked herself. This visit to Ukraine would be her 10th trip to the nation of her family roots.

“I wanted to see again the hunger among Christian women in leadership and the fruit of several years of developing Women Together,” said Margaret. “I was not disappointed but rather saw greater release of gifts and abilities in the leadership and an evident passion to provide a ministry to women throughout the nation of Ukraine and beyond.”

Carol Ann Hurtubise, a dynamic leader from Pembroke Ontario, joined Margaret Gibb and Veronika Nuzhna (Women Together Ukraine Coordinator) for two incredible weeks of ministry. They spoke at women’s conferences in Poltava and Krivoy Rog, hosted seminars for pastors’ wives, met with key leaders, and spoke at Sunday church services.

One of the key gatherings was Women Together’s 2nd annual Connect Leadership School—a weekend of leadership training, prayer, and empowering women to lead! The Connect Leadership School was held in a beautiful hotel in the Carpathian Mountains in Western Ukraine. Registration opened February 12, and in only 1 1/2 days all 95 spots were filled! Women came from 18 hours away to attend. They represented 17 cities and 23 churches! They were eager to take notes as each speaker poured into them.

A memorable moment was when 95 registrants at the Connect Leadership School had communion and prayer on a mountainside. It was a holy experience as women, surrounded by the beauty of nature, lifted their spiritual eyes and saw more for themselves as leaders in Ukraine.

Carol Ann Hurtubise, a first-time guest to Ukraine said: “It was an amazing two weeks. Life-changing!”

For the Christian women of Ukraine, we are anticipating more…much more!

The Women Together Team in Ukraine had an amazing gathering on December 22, 2017. Over 70 women in leadership women gathered from 10 churches for an evening of ministry, fellowship, inspirational teaching and building friendships!

What is emerging under the leadership of Veronika Nuzhna and her team, is a united vision that is impacting ministries in Poltava. This is a huge breakthrough that will bring even impact on Poltava and the region.

Veronika and her team are passionate and convinced that equipping, encouraging and empowering women will start a movement that will impact Ukraine.

The psalmist David said,

This is the day that the Lord has made, that we may rejoice and be glad in it.” The power of Joy can change worry, anger and sorrow. It is good to rest in God because He is going to take care of you.

“Find out how to enjoy life right now while He is working on your problem. It is time to put joy in your heart!”

This was the message of the Women Together Sports Day at Multimedia University sports grounds, on October 14, 2017.

We were very thankful to God for the great opportunity and favor to be at this facility. Because of the political situation in our country just now, there is unrest and fear of having any gathering.

In this safe space, women and young girls had good times together, running around the big field, enjoying athletic competitions, playing football and netball and especially laughing together and cheering for one another. It was so much fun as girls were hugging their mothers at the finishing point, shedding tears of joy. This has never happened before!

Women we don’t have to let the devil take our joy away from us, no matter what is going on in our country. We need to stay as happy as we can, because then we will have the strength to face whatever comes our way.

The devil wants to bring discouraging things to our lives and make us believe that life is full of disappointment. So many women are hurting and joyless. They seem to be carrying heavy burdens.

Don’t let whatever is happening around you tempt you to worry too much as you try to reason your way out of the circumstance. Nehemiah 8:10 says, ‘Be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold,’

When women pray together mighty things happen!

Imagine the delight to come apart for twenty-four hours over night, a time to refresh and renew our spirits! On Thursday, November 2, seven of us gathered in a beautiful cottage perched on a wee knoll overlooking Lake Erie. The waves lapped at the waters edge as we met new friends, renewed long time friendships, shared our stories, ate together, prayed together, laughed and cried together.

At mealtime, the kitchen became a scurry of activity and merry chatter as each one prepared their contribution for the delicious meal and then we sat around the large wooden table and bowed in thanks. Effortless conversation quickly filled the room. Was it possible that we were strangers just hours ago?

A purposeful quiet hour gave space to listen to God’s whispers and the sharing that followed provided memories that bonded us in sacred ways.

Life as a leader can be a lonely path and what incredible joy to gather in such a safe environment and pour into one another’s life. Appropriately called a Peer Care Retreat, we all drove away on Friday November 3 with visions of another such date just waiting to be set on our calendars.

Margaret Gibb joined Wendy Burton for 2 days of interaction, life and leadership sharing and prayer with 14 women in ministry leaders in the Maritimes. It was a powerful time of learning and peer mentoring! What better investment is there than pouring into leaders who are making a difference in their churches, and communities. Annmarie Johnson is giving excellent leadership to this valuable part of Canada.