“For Such a Time as This”

Reflections on Women’s Day

Captain Lori Laidlaw

            It is ironic that as God’s chosen people were ending their time of introspection, focusing on the concept of God’s sovereignty in celebrating “Rosh Hashanah”, God’s chosen women were arriving at Star Lake Camp from all areas of the Greater New York Division to focus on the providential hand of God and doing His will for our lives at any cost.  It has been said that “faith is not believing in spite of evidence but obeying in spite of consequence.”

            In spite of rainy weather, 444 women stepped out in obedience to God’s will for their lives, to enjoy the “showers of blessing” of a day of communion with Him and His saints. 

            After an efficient and painless registration, (thank you DHQ staff!), the ladies were able to enjoy coffee, tea and muffins.  Once the ladies had made their way in the rain to the Tabernacle, or the Royal Palace as it came to be called, we were beautifully brought into the presence of God by our worship leaders, Captain Amanda Lumbila and Captain Arlene DiCaterina.  Captain Amanda Lumbila challenged us with three admonitions from Psalm 27 and Major Rhode Bender and her daughter, Danielle blessed us with a beautiful vocal duet that “It’s Still the Cross” that saves us.

Our Associate Divisional Commander and Director of Women’s Ministries, Major Henrietta Klemanski, introduced us to our special guest for the day.  What a great time we had studying the Book of Esther with Lt. Colonel Gillian Bosh, Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries!  Very thorough in her preparation and relatable in her delivery, we were all challenged on the many themes of Esther.  We were told how Esther deliberately chose honor and obedience as her lifestyle and we were challenged to do the same, for the blessings of obedience bring favor from the King.  We learned of “hesed”; a covenant word in Hebrew, of Jehovah God’s covenant-keeping power.  We were admonished that “if God’s favor is resting on you, it’s not about you.  It is about God’s perfect will being accomplished through you.”  With favor comes responsibility we were told and we were brought through the Word to “Esther’s Date with Destiny.”  She had to make a choice even though it was out of her comfort zone.  Many of us have come to this point and we were challenged by Lt. Colonel Bosh not to “pull back in insecurity but to TRUST GOD.” Like Esther, we were reminded that we may come to our position in life “for such a time as this.”  God kept His covenant promise with His chosen people through the courage of Esther and God keeps His covenant promise with us through the shed blood of His Son, Jesus Christ.    

For lunch, we shared in Esther’s Banquet and a spa for our hearts and souls.  Many different options were available to us; from the informational Bible Study Resource Table, hosted by Major Lauren Hodgson, to the Healthy Chocolate Fountain (isn’t healthy and chocolate together an oxymoron?!) scrumptuously prepared by Major Mary Moore.  Our hands got pampered with wonderful aromatherapy by Captain Irna Padilla and we were challenged “For Such a Time as This” to pray.  Major Marie Larrinaga prepared a thought-provoking prayer guide and a wonderful prayer room, focusing the ladies on praying for Victims of Sexual Trafficking.  Don’t forget that General Shaw Clifton has issued an International Call to Prayer on Sunday, September 30, 2007 for the Victims of Sex Trafficking.  Lord, help us all to be faithful in prayer.

            Further challenge awaited us as Major Carolynne Chung powerfully presented information on the El Ridel Children’s Home in Paraguay, part of the South America East Territory and our “Extra Mile Project” for this year.  Each corps was asked to raise funds to contribute to the Industrial Washing Machine for the Children’s Home. As the “total” was being announced, a spontaneous outpouring of offerings from the ladies occurred.  It was quite a blessing to witness the generosity of God’s people, giving out of their love for Him.  Engineered by Major Sunetra George, an opportunity was given to throw whipped cream pies at Major Edmund Chung or Major Asit George.  The “pie throwing” raised an additional $125.00 as our Divisional Commander,  Major Guy Klemanski was handing out dollar bills to the ladies so they could “take a shot” at our General Secretary and Business Secretary.  It was quite a spectacle!!  Special thanks to Major Chung and Major George for their good-natured acceptance of the abuse they endured!!  From the contribution of each corps and residence, the pie throwing and the spontaneous offerings, we were able to exceed our goal and will be able to send $6,474.96 to the El Ridel Children’s Home.  Glory to God!!

            After lunch, we returned to the “Royal Palace” to enjoy a wonderful presentation, directed by Raymond Livingston, entitled “Beauty and the Feast”, where we learned the story of Esther in story and song, with lots of comic relief.  Our thanks goes to the very talented staff of  Madellyne Almonte and Anthony Caballo as the Palace Guards, Stephen Ditmer and Seth Ditmer, who brought the house down with their vocalizing and comedic antics as the corrupt palace officials, and to our wonderful narrator, Lila Droz.  Walter Droz was cast perfectly as King Xerxes and also cast perfectly was Felix Padilla, who played the villain, Haman so well.  Katherine Padilla gave her usual superb performance as our beautiful Queen Esther and Loreita Vaughan was fantastic as Queen Esther’s handmaid.  We all would want to say a special word of thanks to Raymond Livingston, our multi-talented and spiritually focused Divisional Creative Arts Director, who played Mordecai, and as mentioned earlier, directed the entire presentation.  We can’t forget to thank the wonderful music accompaniment by the talented Gavin Whitehouse and the audio-visual prowess of Mike Pettiford, Paul Dymott and Josh ?   Thank you to all involved for a delightful performance and for the reminder received from the last song of the musical that “Everything works out right when you trust the Lord.”

We are grateful and thankful for Major Henrietta Klemanski and Major Carolynne Chung, who were responsible for the coordination of our special Women’s Day at camp.  Thank you also to Piedad Andrade, the patient and hard-working Women’s Ministries Administrative Assistant, to members of our Divisional Headquarters staff, who assisted in so many different ways and to the members of the Women’s Commission for their creative ideas and implementation of same.

            As we were preparing to leave “the Palace,” Lt.Colonel Gillian Bosh gave us a final challenge of responding in obedience to God “for such a time as this.”  Thank you so much for spending the day with us, Lt. Colonel Bosh. We learned much and were challenged much from your study on Esther.

Major Carolynne Chung challenged us to be “Esthers” in each of our respective palaces, wherever that may be.  Each lady was given a tiara to remind her that she is a daughter of the King of Kings.  Praise Him!!