Esther 4 Women's Ministry was conceived in Querétaro, Mexico. I was attending a women's bible study at Iglesia Lumina in Juriquilla. My husband, Jose, and I were in preparations to leave Mexico. He was going to study English in Kelowna, BC, Canada and I was going to take the girls to Pasco, WA, USA while he studied. I was preparing my application to study at The Mount in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada or I had just sent it in and, either way, we were taking a huge step of faith.

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As I sat in the meeting I felt God speak to my heart. "I am sending you to start a women's ministry in Canada." It was what my heart desperately needed as I stared into an uncertain future. I had not yet been accepted to MSVU and I didn't have a student visa. I had no idea that COVID-19 was right around the corner. I held onto this word because it meant that God was indeed sending us to Canada.

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Almost 12 months later, the girls and I "landed" in Nova Scotia. COVID had closed border doors for an excruciating amount of time (though there was so much growth in that time of waiting) and I arrived as I completed my first semester of studies. As we quarantined I searched for a church and a way for Jose to join us. Three weeks after I entered Canada, we had found a church virtually and Jose was on a plane with a letter of permission from the Canadian government to reunite with his family. (Even writing this now, I tear up in gratitude and awe at how GOOD God has been to us.)

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As it turned out Bethel Church Halifax was exactly where God wanted us to start out. Pastor Art and Pastor Flora embraced us with incredible love, kindness, and encouragement. It was right where I needed to be to have the blessing, and encouragement to move forward. I loved our first church and our new home, Canada, which I prophetically believe will be a permanent home because of what God spoke to my heart in 2017. I planned to wait to begin this ministry and I was going to wait until we had permanent residency, but God's plan was different.

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First, the ministry needed a name. As some women and I prayed about the ministry, I felt God continuously bringing me back to Esther. There is a lot that can be learned from Esther and the 14th verse of the 4th chapter is commonly quoted by Christians and Jews alike. But God took my attention to the whole chapter. He reminded me that the purpose of the ministry is to bring rest to women in ministry and to encourage, challenge, and uplift others. The 4th chapter covers the complex journey of Esther walking in obedience and being willing to lay her life down to walk in obedience. That heart of obedience, growth, challenge, and community as they fast together, is the heart of this ministry.

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As we continue in this next season of growth, renewal, challenge, and encouragement, I am encouraged by "the one." The one is a concept that God taught me a few years ago that He has held close to my heart. The one is not referring to the One, but refers to the one person who God will meet through this and any ministry. The one is the reminder that it doesn't matter how many people show up or comment or post. God loves that one person so much that He would use years of toil of this ministry to touch that one person. I trust that God will use this to bless, grow and mature more than one, but He has given me a heart for that one person and it keeps me going.

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