A couple of days ago I went on a ladies retreat with the Central Church Ladies Ministry to The Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove in Asheville NC. It was truly an incredible experience and to think I almost backed out of going.

When I first signed up to attend, three of my deaf friends were also going. We had planned to room together. As the retreat got closer all three of my friends had to back out for various reasons. I still wanted to go but I was reluctant since I didn’t know anyone well.

With my hearing and visual issues, being in an unfamiliar place with people I didn’t know well and also not knowing what to expect had me way out of my comfort zone. I talked it over with a friend and she encouraged me to go. She said being out of my comfort zone gave God more opportunity to stretch me. She was right.

Although I was still not comfortable with going, I actually asked the Lord to help me get through it as I boarded the bus. Let me explain just a little bit. Having my visual problem ( I am legally blind although I don’t think of myself that way. Labels are confining. I don’t need a white cane and I don’t have a seeing eye dog but my vision is still NOT good at all). Add to that being deaf and hearing with a cochlear implant … with a processor that is currently not working right. Oh my goodness! So I asked the Lord to get me through the retreat and boy did He ever! It was beyond anything I could have anticipated. I think I’m going to break into a song “ Let me tell ya about my Jesus” Oops! I got off track there but it’s true. Let me tell you!

Even though I could not see the peoples name tags. Well I could see them but not read them, everyone was so welcoming and so so sweet. Two deaf ladies signed up to come and they were helpful and so much fun. One interpreter ( Lauren ) from church who has become a sweet friend, insisted on helping me. She sat beside me to make sure I understood. My heart swells with gratitude. My roommate Barbara who is also deaf, was such a joy. She helped me see where things were in the dining room, telling me the foods at the buffet. I really enjoyed getting to know her.

The sessions were encouraging and testimonies shared were beautiful. Lauren and Barbara were my trail buddies walking to the chapel. I thought the trails were all paved but not the one we took. It was gravel and leaves covered a small part of it. They made sure I didn’t trip on the rocks, roots and uneven ground. We stopped at each scripture post and one of them would sign what it said. Barbara wanted to find the little mountain creek and listen to the soothing sounds of the water. (She can hear that with her hearing aids). We got to the chapel and let me tell you….that place is gorgeous! In the upper prayer room we knelt down to pray. It was a beautiful experience.

Friday evening at dinner a couple we had not met sat down where we were sitting. The lady knew some sign language so we wondered if she was hearing impaired. It turns out it was Charity Gayle and her husband Ryan Kennedy. They were there to lead us in an unforgettable night of worship. While I had never heard of them before ( I don’t know many music artist by name) I was familiar with some of the songs they have written. They were so down to earth and humble. They led us in an AMAZING time of worship. It was not like a performance but rather an invitation to join them in worshipping Jesus. It was simply beautiful.

At our final session Catherine, the ladies ministry director, taught on Exodus 17 when Aaron and Hur held up Moses hands when he got weary, as Joshua fought the Amalekkies. We need to support others going through hard things and when they are weary. As I think back over the retreat, that’s what Barbara and Lauren did. They supported me through being way out of my comfort zone. I went unsure but came home refreshed.

Don’t ne afraid to walk through doors of opportunity God opens. When He opens a door, He will walk you through it, giving you the resources you need and you will come away so refreshed and grateful for the lessons learned. Grateful for His goodness! I’m changed. So thankful!

One last funny note. My husband Ron picked me up when the bus arrived back to the church. We stopped at a little Chinese restaurant for lunch. My heart was full and as we were sitting at the table waiting for our food I softly started singing. Ron said, “What are you singing?” I said “Can you hear me? I didn’t realize I was singing out loud”. I was singing one of Charity Gayles songs “What your mercy did for me”. I came home from the retreat and started looking her up on iTunes. I purchased two of her albums and started looking up lyrics so I can sing along.

To read more of my story check out my autobiography “Rooted by the Water” available from online retailers: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, Target, Walmart, Westbow Press online bookstore and Park Road Books.

Www.shannonkenleyhinson.com