Christian Missionary
What We Do
Newsletter August 2011 - Escobar, Paraguay - Women’s Retreat Continued
Because of the mighty way God moved during the women’s retreat, I wanted to share with you the report of Richard Gwinn from his newsletter. The testimonies from the ladies are so good as well and I hope to have more of them in my newsletter next month.
“We hosted a great women’s retreat. The best ever! What made this retreat special? I decided I was not going to get in God’s way and try and help Him out.
We invited Helen Redman from Oklahoma and Esther McMaster from Louisiana to be the guest speakers. They shared on: KNOWING YOUR IDENITY IN CHRIST.
Three weeks before the retreat (which had been advertised long in advance), not one person had registered. I told the Father that I did my part and the rest was in His hands. If the retreat consisted of just Elly and me then that was His will. The following day we received a call stating that 23 Ache Indian women were attending. From that point on the number kept growing until we had to put a stop to the registration. I wrote Helen that I had no idea what God has planned for the retreat but that it was going to be special. We had small indigenous women, tall Germans, Paraguayans, Argentines, and even a Lebanese women whose family are Muslim. Some of the women refused to attend the retreat when they saw the indigenous women and they returned to the regions they came from. We prayed beforehand that God would not allow anyone to attend the retreat who would impede the flow of the Holy Spirit...but I have never had an event where people turned around and left. I kept praying under my breath; do it your way Father, have your way...and He did!
After worship, the Ache women were invited up front to sing and to share for a few minutes. That was the beginning of a healing process that touched every woman in attendance...and a few men that were in the background listening. They sang two songs in their dialect that was Hold Spirit inspired. They shared that when they lived in the forest, the whites (Paraguayans and Brazilians) would steal their children and hunt the Ache for sport or capture them to be slaves.
The message Helen and Esther shared brought healing to the hurts and struggles many of the women in attendance were going through. The Paraguayan women embraced the Ache and asked forgiveness for all the mistreatment, hurt and grief the Paraguayans had brought upon the Ache people. In turn the Ache asked forgiveness for their bitterness towards all whites. A lawyer stood up and shared how she despised the indigenous until that Saturday morning an Ache lady came up to her and wrapped her arms around her waist and hugged her. As this little Ache woman hugged her, the Lord started breaking the hardness of the lawyer’s heart until she started weeping and was able to embrace her in return. There were many great testimonies as a result of this conference. What took place in this retreat would have been news worthy if the press wanted to cover an up lifting positive report. God is moving throughout the land, it is just not considered newsworthy.”
About Us
In 1982, the Christian Missionary Association was founded by Henry and Helen Redman to train pastoral leadership among the peoples of the primitive areas of the world.
After the passing of Henry in 1986, the Christian Missionary Association has continued under the leadership of the Rev. Helen Redman.
Helen Redman is an effective teacher and travels the United States and around the world sharing the benefits of the gospel.
In addition, Helen Redman conducts Women's Seminars teaching self-esteem in the third world countries where women are often considered second class citizens. Doors have opened to conduct Women's Seminars in many countries including Russia, India, Peru and Paraguay.
In 2005, Helen wrote a book titled "Lessons for Living". In this book, Helen is sharing her discoveries over the past 18 years. Her lessons for living are presented in a format that will guide you one day at a time to your own happy and rewarding lifestyle, regardless of the loss you may have experienced. The principles shared and when applied through prayer and commitment will produce the greatest joy of true and happy living.
Testimony from Our Founder - Helen Redman
All my life I was very timid and had a low self-esteem. My husband went home to the Lord very unexpectedly on July 6, 1986. Two days after the memorial service, in order not to go into a spirit of grief, I planted seeds by working 12 hours a day in our mission office. Three weeks later, I came home late from work extremely exhausted and an empty, void feeling engulfed my spirit. I turned the radio on to a gospel music station. As the music filled the room, I began to worship the Lord. As I was dancing, His presence came in the room and filled that empty void. I knew the very moment He did it. It was as if God had pulled a curtain down and that part of my life of 40 plus years of marriage with Henry Redman was behind me. He had a ministry for me, individually, that I had never previously experienced.
Immediately doors began to open for speaking and teaching. I knew it had to be God and as I would go through the doors He opened, He would give me a boldness I never had before. My husband and I pastored for thirty-three years. During all those years, I had never been asked to speak publicly for all our acquaintances knew how timid I was.
Philippians 4:13 became rhema to me that completely changed my life. It has enabled me to go around the world teaching and training Nationals to reach their own people.
How Can I Help?
Please visit the Christian Missionary Association website to get involved through prayer and giving opportunities.
