How It All Started
Tara and I (Katrina) have been friends for many years, but due to the distance between our homes, we have only been able to see each other at select times throughout each year. In September of 2006, we met up again at a mutual friendТs wedding ~ much to our delight! As we visited together about the things of the Lord and the latest ministry opportunities He had given us, we discovered a like-hearted passion for investing in the lives of young ladies. Having both experienced the tremendous blessing of Godly older role models during our teen years, we shared a similar burden to faithfully pass on the baton of encouragement to younger girls now facing the choices that come with growing up.
During the course of our conversation, an idea came to me that I now know was from the Lord. What if Tara and I could join forces and host some sort of retreat, conference, or weekend event for the young ladies we knew? The event could provide edifying messages, feminine skill-building opportunities, and an atmosphere for encouraging fellowship. Before I could voice this sudden idea to Tara, however, my family called me away to join them for dinner at a nearby favorite restaurant. I bid farewell to my friend, promising myself to think more about the idea and discuss it with her later.
Ten minutes after my family was seated at the restaurant with steaming bowls of stir-fry in front of us, in walkedЕthe Riddell family! Tara and I were shocked and elated to see each other again so quickly! GodТs Divine appointments never cease to amaze me. Throughout our continued conversation at the table, I shared with her the idea He had given for a joint effort to minister to the younger girls in our churches and communities. TaraТs excitement over the thought was evident by her squeal of delight! We agreed to pray about the matter and arrange another get-together to discuss further details.
In the months following this unforgettable night at the restaurant, the Lord began His amazing work of the formation of MaidenТs Quest Ministries. As we sought to know His heart on the matter, He was so faithful to reveal it. In addition to providing wisdom in the planning of the retreat, the Lord also caused our relationships with Him to deepen and our friendship to blossom. Every minute Tara and I worked together confirmed more and more how similar our vision was and how well we fit together as a team (along with our wonderful sisters and parents)! Each new step along the way caused us to praise our God over and over again for His sovereign orchestration of this unfolding ministry!
The First Retreat
As the brochures went out for the first MaidenТs Quest retreat, the unexpected took place. Phone calls began to come in confirming the need for an experience like this for young women and several requests were made for bringing the retreat to other locations. Gradually, the understanding was beginning to dawn on us that GodТs vision for this ministry was so much bigger than ours!
The first retreat took place in March of 2007. During that weekend conference, the Lord truly did exceeding abundantly above all we had asked or imagined! He answered every prayer we prayed and even some that we didnТt think to pray. He brought in over 100 attendees from all across the Houston area and even a handful of young ladies and mothers from Austin! He allowed every detail of the retreat to fall smoothly into place in a way that we didnТt know was possible. Truly, we serve the God of wonders!
The Continuing Work of God
Following that first retreat in March 2007, we were given the opportunities of hosting two more throughout the year 2007; one in the Woodlands, Texas, and one in Seattle, Washington. With each further experience, the Lord has continued to deepen our awe of His abilities! We have greatly enjoyed the privilege of meeting so many precious young women seeking to follow the Lord in whole-hearted love and devotion. What hope it gives us that God is raising up a remnant of set-apart young ladies!
As the Lord continues to open doors for bringing УA MaidenТs QuestФ retreat to various locations, we are so excited about the possibility of spreading the vision of this ministry to girls across the nation! We do not know all that the future holds, but we rest assured in the knowledge of Him who holds the future.
To God be the glory; great things He hath done!
