Over 150 women packed out the dining hall this past weekend at Turtle Mountain Bible Camp to enjoy a 2-day event: the Fill My Cup Women's Retreat.

For a first-time event the response from women across western Manitoba was amazing, and many are asking if this would become an annual event.

"The last two days have been absolutely fantastic!" shares event organizer, Michele Pettinger.  "The attendance, the interest was overwhelming, the excitement here in the building with over 150 women listening to Joanne, our speaker, was amazing!  Dolly, our musician was absolutely fantastic as well!  We had lots of fun canoeing, kayaking, hiking, playing games in the afternoon.  The whole weekend was just blessed!"

Inspirational speaker, Joanne Goodwin, brought her humor to the Bible camp as she shared the chaos of life.  Goodwin delivered 3 powerful messages Friday and Saturday, using her incredible gift of humor in dealing with her own struggles with mental health and the chaos of life.  Boissevain area worship leader, Dolly Hildebrand, led women from every walk of life, and from many different denominations, in beautiful worship through song.

Pettinger says the mix of ladies who attended was just awesome.  "We had gals ages 21 to 85, young moms with their babies were even here. It was just so wonderful to see everybody connecting together.  I really realized through this event the great need for women to connect." 

"What inspired me to put this event together was hearing Joanne speak several years ago," she explains. "I often said to myself, 'We have to have her back for a women's retreat!'  I never imagined it would be as big and well-attended as it was. So, hearing her talk and share her humor, her vulnerability, and her encouragement was amazing."

Many women openly shared their thoughts with Pettinger and her committee to make this into an annual event. Evaluation questionnaires were filled out and will now be shared at the committee's next meeting.  

Please listen to more with Michele Pettinger below!

Photo below is with Inspirational speaker, Joanne Goodwin (left) with the organizing committee, all standing in front of their sponsorship board.

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