HOW WE CAME TO BE:

Women of Living Water was conceptualized three years ago when 2 Filipino women felt a prodding from God to reach out to the Filipino-Canadian women and meet them at their point of need -- pressures from work, spousal infidelity, turbulent teens at home and financial difficulties.

Without a concept nor a plan to realize the vision, these two women only needed to have an obedient heart before God started to unravel His wonderful plans. The initial step was to present the vision to a group of Filipino pastors who headed 5 different churches. The acceptance among the pastors was immediate and unanimous. They proudly volunteered to invite their wives to be involved.

On May 28, 2000 the first organizational meeting was held. A group of women representing not just 5 churches but 10 churches attended. Excitement, a willingness to help and a strong sense of single mindedness engulfed the gathering which surprised even the attendees. By the end of the meeting, the first annual retreat for Filipino-Canadian women was born. Based from a similar retreat held in Chicago, the planning committee invited a San Francisco-based speaker Linda Panganiban to share her thoughts on the topic “Passion for Prayer.”

God’s direction was clear. The group was to hold a seminar once every summer. After the second summer, feedback from the attendees suggested that the retreat be extended to 2 days. As such an overnight getaway was held in Fergus, Ontario where a number of women committed themselves to the Lord. They are now being mentored and cared for to grow in their faith.

In all of these annual seminars, participants came from different places Montreal, Virginia, Chicago and California.

This summer, the leadership wanted to define the group’s identity with a name and a mandate. After much prayer the Holy Spirit led us to a name: Women of the Living Waters and a mandate to refresh other women with the water that will never make them thirsty again – the Living Water, Jesus Christ our Lord (John 7:37b-38).

We hear testimonies single moms who are standing tall and strong because of the Lord; of broken family relationships that are healed in the name of the Lord; of ministering to women afflicted with cancer and giving them hope that revitalizes their strength; of the parents of women who came to accept the Lord inspite of their stubbornness.

We are refreshed because God is faithful. He allowed Filipino women to tap into the eternal source of life: Jesus Christ, the Living Water. He has proven Himself to be powerful, loving and faithful. It only takes obedient hearts.

QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS:

Email us at: [email protected]