Red Eagle Lodge was the setting again this August for the seventh annual Alaska Women’s Wilderness Retreat, themed "Living the Abundant Life." Located in beautiful Copper River Valley, this area overlooks 16,000-foot-plus mountains of the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Most of the 41 people attending stayed in restored homestead cabins, while others enjoyed tents and RVs.
Speaker Cheri Gatton, Idaho Conference women’s ministries leader, based her seminars on a favorite text, John 10:10. Jesus says, “I am come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly.” Victoria Kildal, counselor from Tok, Alaska, added insight with talks on “Healing Connections.”
Unique features of Red Eagle’s wilderness retreats include nature walks, crafts and a campfire cookout, interspersed with the presentations, music and prayer time. Women choose crafts to bless the community, like homemade bread packaged with the text “I am the Bread of Life," tied fleece baby blankets for the maternity center and handmade cards with a personalized message.
Much appreciated is the “Man Cave” set up in a curtained off area of the shop. Four or five husbands cook, serve and clean up the six retreat meals. This enables every woman to be “Mary” listening without “Martha” work.
What makes this Alaska Women’s Retreat special? It’s the time for relaxation, for recreation and for rejuvenation. It is the peace of a place apart that welcomes friends old and new to a wonderful wilderness experience. It’s the renewed commitment to let go and let God work in us His gift of the abundant life.
A warm glow lights a “glamping” tent at the Alaska Women’s Wilderness Retreat.
Jean Gobah, Alaska Conference women’s ministries leader, enjoys the retreat with the other women attending.
Forty-one people attended the seventh annual Alaska Women’s Wilderness Retreat.
Alaska women enjoy dinner around the campfire.
