M.E. – Germany: Arm-in-Arm

Shortly after I became a Christian I became involved in Aglow, an International Christian Woman’s organization. I first got involved at the local level, then at the regional level and finally accepted a job at the International headquarters in Edmonds, WA as their IT Manager. Aglow was a vital part of my development as a person and as a leader. It was in Aglow that I found out the true meaning of God’s love. It was in Aglow where I met a woman that taught me that a hug was a good thing and not something to dread. It was in Aglow that I met a life long friend and though her I learned how to love a family and how to be a friend.

During the eight years I was active at some level in Aglow I had many experiences, but the most memorable happened at an Aglow International Conference in 1989. The group of us from the Northern Illinois Area Board attended the conference together. One of the highlights of any International conference is the Parade of Flags. This is where a woman from every nation that Aglow is active in, dresses in a costume of that nation and enters the conference hall carrying the flag across the platform to be recognized and celebrated.

During the 1989 conference we were standing clapping for each nation and they came to Germany, this is just after the Berlin Wall was opened. There coming down the aisle were two women arm-in-arm both dressed in the traditional German folk dresses, each carrying a slightly different flag. It was the West German and East German delegates united for the first time. The place erupted into cheers, applause and tears celebrating the freedom and giving Glory to God. This moment was extra special for us on our board because one of our members had escaped as a young girl from East Germany with her family. We rejoiced with Hanni knowing her and knowing in part the joy in that moment of seeing the country of her birth free.

I guess Aglow was an experience were I grew emotionally, spiritually and relationally. It was also through Aglow that I came to fulfil that desire to live in the Seattle Area.

Next M.E. – Fighting For The Shoes