While traveling to Aglow meetings, Shelly Morales, President of the South Texas Area Team, reflected on the faithful men and women of Aglow all around the globe carrying out the will of God in their nations.
Shelly writes,
Shelly Morales on stage at the
2014 U.S. National Conference"This morning, I left my home while the stars were still twinkling in the sky. I was headed to an Aglow lighthouse meeting and then an area team meeting, both a couple of hours away. I have done this for many years, and although it is early on Saturday mornings, I love this quiet time with the Lord. As I prayed for all the others in this world going to Aglow meetings this day, I thought of many things.
I thought of the Aglow women I've met from Africa, a group of whom have their Aglow meetings outdoors under a tree. Some of those women walk over five miles to get to that tree. One woman keeps a watch for lions and other predators, but she said the only lion who ever visits them is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.
I thought of Aglow women in Mexico, who so fiercely believe in the power of what God has called them to do that they prayer walk blocks in their towns and around the schools their children attend, the same blocks where drug cartels have violent, unpredictable, and deadly battles and where bullet holes riddle the walls they prayerfully walk past.
I thought of Aglow women in an Asian restricted nation who are so hungry for the Word of God they cram themselves into a small room to have their retreat in strict secrecy. Not only is this their meeting room, it is also their sleeping room, where they bed down on the floor at the end of the night's meeting, smiling at the goodness of the Lord as they fall asleep.
I thought of Aglow women in another restricted nation where they still have to veil their faces or be subject to harsh retribution. The oppression in their nation is so pervasive they endanger not only themselves but their children and husbands if they are caught at an Aglow meeting, or any other Christian meeting. And yet they do meet, intent on bringing the Light of the gospel into the darkness.
I thought of Aglow women in an island nation who have little to call their own, yet who happily hold outreaches where they give and give and give to those who have even less than they do.
I thought of the Aglow Generations women, who unashamedly carry the truth into their schools and lives, who face down taunts and derision from their peers and other modern day persecutions because they understand their generation needs Jesus, no matter the cost.
I thought of the Aglow men who come alongside Aglow women, because they comprehend completely that real men can't function in the Body of Christ alone, that Aglow men and Aglow women need to walk the truth of gender reconciliation to the rest of the Body of Christ.
I thought of Aglow women and men who have journeyed to Israel, walked the ancient paths, touched the timeworn stones, and walked in and out of an empty tomb, declaring in faith-filled agreement that God's plans and purposes shall be accomplished in this, the most beautiful of lands, and that we do stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters and with Israel, birthplace of our Savior and home to the Eastern Gate, where He shall return someday.
I think of all these things and I am thankful, ever thankful, for Aglow."