Ladie of Virtue

Testimonies of Past Retreat Attendees ...

Here are a few excerpts from some of the ladies that have attended the Ladies of Virtue Retreat , and a gentleman.

"This first time I went to 'the water' was in 2003. I was a little scared because it was my first time going with complete strangers. Being the only deaf woman going, so many questions ran through my mind! How I would communicate with all these women?? How would I feel comfortable and free to worship with my hands while others worshipped with their
mouths and voices? How would I receive a touch from God?? I didn't know....BUT GOD DID!! God did a mighty work that weekend and I'll never be the same!!! The Holy spirit moved in me! God eased my past hurts, wiped my tears, and calmed all my fears. At the time I was looking for a new church home. After the retreat, I KNEW I wanted to visit Tabernacle MBC. One and a half years later, I now call Tabernacle home. The 2004 retreat was even more than I could
imagine. I knew I could expect the unexpectable because with God...ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE! I knew I had many things I needed to take to the water. God truly SHOWED UP! Just when I thought I was about to burst, God filled my cup even more and let it overflow....there are no words to explain what God did for me at the retreat. I've come to realize, it doesn't matter if I'm deaf, blind, white, black, short, tall, fat or skinny....I am fearfully and wonderfully made!! God will use each and every one of us with the gifts (Yes! deafness is a gift! Who else will
reach the lost deaf souls than another deaf person who can relate??) and talents He has bestowed upon us. I THANK GOD FOR MOM2 (Sis. Manaway)! For the vision God has given her and making that vision accessable to ALL who have a heart and a desire to do God's will!
Rhonda

“It was so much more than I expected. God just had His way as we unhardened our hearts and listened to what His spirit was and is saying.”
Sis. Diana Bolden, TMBC, Seattle, WA

“I truly was blessed again by the Ladies of Virtue retreat at Ocean Shores. It was a wonderful receiving spiritual leadership, words of encouragement, and Christian fellowship from so many talented individuals. I commend the entire committee for their hard work in making this a huge success, and First Lady Manaway for carrying out the vision. God bless all of you.”
Sis. Sabrina Quarles-Coleman, TMBC, Seattle, WA

“I believe my life and my faith in God has completely changed and altered my perception of life. I now want to get more into the Word and closer to God.”
Sis. Domonica Davenport, Calvary MBC, Chicago, IL

“I went with no pre-conceived ideas, and no expectations other than to receive a blessing from the Lord. Boy, did I get that AND MUCH MORE!!! Sisterhood, bonds of friendship strengthened and love overflowing!! Now I understand why no one could tell me what happens at ‘the water’, it’s incredible!! Looking forward to next year! Thank you Sis. Jessica for being obedient and following through on the vision you received from God. It has TRULY been a blessing, and I pray it will continue to bless the many women of faith for many years to come."
Sis. Kathy Woodley, TMBC, Seattle, WA

“This retreat provided the perfect atmosphere to draw closer to God away from the hectic pace of our everyday normal lives. I was equipped with information to tap straight into the Master and start living more abundantly than I am living now.

I also now feel I can be a better mother, wife, daughter, sister, and friend. I encourage any woman who has not attended in the past to sacrifice whatever it takes, hair, nails, outfit, your husband for the weekend. You will be tremendously blessed."
Sis. Vicki Jackson, GNB, Seattle, WA

“The ‘water’ launched me into another level of ministry and walk with Christ. I thank God for the experience of the water, whatever you need is at/in the water”
Evangelist Sylvarena Bolton-Funderburke, Kansas City, MO

“The retreat is always such a blessed event for me (and I say this only having attended last year for the first time). I was blessed in the word I received from the Lord in confirmation on where I need to be (and where He wants me to be) with His and as a member of an auxiliary. The presence of the Lord as we worshipped Him cannot be explained in words. I left the retreat feeling renewed, closer to the Lord and with a greater hunger to know His even better”
Sis. Marion Charles, TMBC, Seattle, WA

“My experience at the Ladies of Virtue Retreat was wonderful and truly a blessing. What do you get when you take the ‘re’ off of ‘retreat’? You get the word ‘treat’. That’s the way I feel about LOV. It was a ‘treat’ to my heart, mind body and soul. Our ‘Daddy’ had all kinds of ‘treats’ for me there to bring back with me to share”.
First Lady Karen McClendon, GNB, Seattle, WA

“I was honored to attend my 2^nd LOV retreat this year and truly received tremendous blessing from the POWERFUL WORD!!! I tell ya, the WORD was right on time!! I was overwhelmed with thankfulness to be amongst the recipients of a life-changing message. I heard the Word, I believe the Word, I received the WORD, and now I live each day to PROSPER from its promises!!! WHAT A WORD! I’ve been EMPOWERED!”
Sis. Erica Headen, GNB, Seattle WA

“I truly want to encourage those who have not been to make it your business to not miss it next year. Each year I have seen God work His ‘stuff’ in women’s lives that thought they were at the end of the rope. If you’re looking for something that will blow your mind…come on to the water.”
Evangelist Stephanie McKinney, TMBC, Seattle WA

“I believe that every year it gets better and better. The conference just goes higher and higher. The speakers this year were moving totally under the anointing and each person who brought forth the Word of God, their messages lined up with one another to the ‘t’. Thank God for Evang. Manaway and her obedience in answering the call of God to put together such and anointed ‘Worship Experience’ such as Ladies of Virtue! Eyes hath not seen, neither hath ears heard what good things God has in store for this conference!!! I was tremendously blessed and will never be the same.”
Lady Shelia Dampier, TMBC, Seattle, WA

“This was my first LOV retreat and it was awesome. It was spiritual and uplifting, in addition to just being able to fellowship with women of different ages and backgrounds. My prayer has been to continue to utilizing all I learned from the speakers as I draw closer to God. I shared my experiences with friends and they have commented on change in my demeanor in that there is inner peace and calmness. Thank you so much for the invitation and I look forward to seeing you again next year.”
Sis Nailah Jones, GNB, Seattle, WA

“What I love about the LOV retreat is that you are able to meet and socialize with women from different churches and different denominations. It was a very comfortable atmosphere, so you feel accepted the moment you boarded the bus. I would recommend any woman to go if they want to go to the next level in their relationship with God.”
Sis. Heather Clark, TMBC, Seattle, WA

“Going to the water for the women’s retreat was a most invigorating experience. Not only did I partake in delicious food for the body; the teaching, testimonies, songs and sermons of some true women of God satisfied my spiritual appetite. The emotional upliftance, the presence of the Holy Spirit and the bonds of sisterly love in Christendom were in abundance. One did not simply get away for the weekend in order to get rid of some excess baggage. We walked away with the knowledge of the importance of not going back to what we left at the water, how to continue to grow spiritually, how to recognize the devil’s handiwork, and how to make it through the press.”
Sis. Ursula White-Oliver, TMBC, Seattle, WA

2003 Woman’s Retreat - One Man’s Perspective

I must admit that the thought of 5 brothers spending 3 days with two hundred spirit filled, hair flying, gospel singing, pancake and chicken eating sisters from Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church can be quite intimidating. However, the thought of telling Mother Manaway that I was not going to make it was even scarier, so I gave in and decided to make the journey.

Friday evening was a blast because I spent the driving down to ocean shores with Rodney, Dwight, and Keisha. We laughed and sang some old school tunes all the way to the ocean. But when we pulled up to the hotel and saw a sea of African American, Spanish, and Euro-American sisters standing in the lobby, trying to secure rooms from two employees. I t hit me ‘the wrath of Jessica P. Manaway could not have been this bad’.

Well, needless to say, I watched Rodney and Brother Bolden utilize they culinary gift to nourish those sister’s bodies while Sis. Manaway and her All Star team of evangelists ministered to their souls. It did not take me long to recognize that the gifts that God had given me were useless in the kitchen, so I took them to the van and tried to encourage the sisters as I drove the van back and forth from the hotels.

The parts of service that I was able to enjoy were quite a blessing. The most notable experience for me would obviously be when I observed my wife filled with the Holy Spirit. I had never seen her so taken by the spirit and it was somewhat awkward for me. I will never forget hearing someone comment that whatever it is, she got it, 5 minutes later, the evangelist for the evening stated that there was someone in the room praying for pregnancy. Perhaps my sensors were up, but I swear that everybody and their momma looked at my wife. Well, the evangelist prayed for the womb and the seed of every woman that raised their hand and we trusted God for the result in His time. Well, the next month of February arrived, but Tammi’s cycle didn’t, and here we are, waiting for the birth of our first child on the last day of this October month. So, if you ask me about what I felt took place at the 2003 woman’s retreat, just consider my blessing and multiply it by 200 spirit filled, hair flying, gospel singing, pancake and chicken eating sisters from Tabernacle Missionary Baptist and local Churches. May God richly increase your territory Sister Manaway, because your ministry has certainly increased mine.

I love you, Minister Ron Burroughs, TMBC, Seattle, WA

I was blessed with a beautiful baby that I will soon meet face to face. Not to mention things I was holding on to, God enabled me to let them go. THANK YOU GOD!!!

Sis. Tammi Burroughs, TMBC, Seattle WA ~ “UPDATE” It’s a BOY J Samuel Elijah Burroughs 11/7/03

"I look forward to going to the retreat every year and have not missed a one. Seeing and meeting women from different churches, ethnic backgrounds, from shelters, coming together to worship is a blessing all by itself. Being there brought about healing, peace of mind, and encouragement for me. Last year was a very difficult year for me. I was dealing with a situation where my life could have been in danger (notice I said, could have) but because I left that "baggage" at the water and kept the faith and thanked God anyhow, today I can say I'M FREE!"…. Anonymous

"Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!! It's 'treat time! Just when I thought '03's 'treat was awesome and couldn't imagine what would happen at '04's 'treat…WHEW…what a blessing! The way the conferences were separated for the married, single and youth, with the separate speakers was, for me, one of the highlights of the 'treat. I'm still feasting off of the sweet 'treats given by Evangelist Detta West for the married women. Although, I still blush when I think about the demonstration she did using my head (maybe I'll sit on the second row next time…naaahh! If the Lord say the same, I'll be right there on the front row again!!) I thank God for you, Evangelist Jessica P. Manaway (Mom Mana),…for your obedience in following and sharing the vision, the blessings, and compassion that God has given you."……..

First Lady Karen M. McClendon, Greater New Bethel MB Church, Seattle, WA

"It will be an experience you will never forget and most importantly…….IF your worship is for real, you will be changed forever!"….Sis. Lawanna Gale, TMBC, Seattle, WA

"JESUS IS THE BEST THING THAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME….In 2002, my first year at the retreat was a very difficult and stressful time in my life. My marriage was falling apart and I didn't know if I was coming or going. Trusting God to fix what was broke in my life was far from me. I didn't know how to let go and let GOD, so I did a lot of crying out to God because I was so hurt and burdened down. I didn't know how to release that pain that I carried around until I heard of burning a letter called "excess baggage". I had a lot of excess baggage that I needed to burn; I had a lot of pain I needed to let go of. So EARLY one cold, wet morning in January 2002 I put the marriage, pain, hurt, stress, insecurities, and betrayal all in one letter and I burned it. I watched how God took his time to read (burn) each letter. Once He was done, He allowed His rain (reign) to pour on us.

I owe a lot of thanks to the LOV retreat for transforming me into a worshiper of Christ. In 2003 I became divinely free...He began to fix what was broken up in me. I began to evolve into the woman that God wanted me to be. My burdens became lighter. I learned how to depend on nobody but God. I learned how to love God for who He is. I learned how to praise God for what He does and how He does it. By the time 2004 retreat approached I had let it all go!!! Each year it gets better and better and God takes me higher and higher. I count it a blessing as well as a privilege to be a part of LOV and to serve under the guidance of 1^st Lady JP Manaway. I look forward to the many more years of LOV and the great things that God has in store for His Daughters!"….Deaconess Tonika Arrington, TMBC, Seattle, WA

From: A man’s point of view………………..

"Sister Manaway, I would like to thank you, for the opportunity you gave me to come and share with you sisters at “The Water 2004”. It was time that passed far too quickly. You sisters truly know how to let your hair down or roll your hair up (whichever the case may be) and truly were about fellowshipping and praising the Lord. I don’t know if it was the location, being outside of a “church”, or if it was the experiences from previous trips to The Water, perhaps a combination of all three. There was real spirit of relaxation and calm, yet a deep reverence for the purpose we were all there.

I found the speakers to be dynamic, insightful, relevant, humorous, and profound. Thank God for Minister West, keeping it real in her marriage class. Thank God also for Sister Connie and the other sisters, for the delicious meals that were served. It is hard work to put home cooked love out in that type of volume, but they did, and it was much needed. You sisters do some shouting like there is no tomorrow. You all just plain wore my poor fingers to the bone trying to keep up with Bro. Dwight and Bro. Austin on the shouting music, but I was blessed by it.

Thank you again Sister Manaway for giving me a chance to share in this wonderful event, and giving me a chance to experience some of why my Wife, Stephanie comes back with such a big smile and a glow every year. Though you did burst my little bubble. I always thought she was smiling and glowing because she was coming home to “Big Daddy”, but it’s all good…….lol

Keep doing what God has put on your heart. Folks are being blessed by it.

I love you and your family, and thank God for you all."
….Bro. Rodney McKinney, Pilgrim Rest Baptist church, Phoenix, AZ

"I did not attend last year due to the birth of my son, Samuel Elijah Burroughs. But the previous year it was an incredible release of a lot of baggage I had been holding onto. Ron (my Husband) and I had been trying to conceive, and we were told by the doctor that the only way we were going to have children was by Invitro Fertilization, which is about $15,000 to start. We were devastated. Initially we were going to go ahead with the process until we were informed that there is no guarantee that you will conceive, and any additional attempts would cost $1000 each attempt. At that point we chose to put it in God's hands. While attending the retreat one of the Evangelist spoke out on a need to pray for the women who were there that were trying to become pregnant…she prayed for us and five weeks later we were blessed to find out that we had conceived. PRAISE GOD!!!!"….Lady Tammi Burroughs, TMBC, Seattle, WA

"At the water 2004 I got the divine opportunity to intercede for my baby sister-in-law, and see her filled with the HOLY SPIRIT! I brought her to the water with me because she belonged to a non-denominational church in New Mexico and came from a Catholic background and had never been baptized in the HOLY SPIRIT. After the weekend at the water, she not only was HOLY GHOST filled, but she made a new dedication to the Lord to keep herself unto Him until marriage.

The class taught for the single women by Min. Kim White, truly blessed her. Just watching my baby sister grow in the Lord just from spending time with powerful, praying young ("no, I ain't too cute to praise Him") women of God, was a blessing in itself. I feel and know that if any young woman wants to grow in the Lord and learn how to live virtuously, then she should by all means attend "the water"! I, myself, have witnessed great and awesome changes in my life as well as the people around me. God troubles the water every year, and nothing but blessings come from it!….Sis. Tronica Alaniz, Pineville, LA

"Oh yes, I have plenty to shout about! My granddaughter was born with severe hearing loss. My son was really struggling with the options for her life. At the water, I wrote in the envelope what I wanted God to do in her life and to help my son with the decision making process. The next month she received her Cholear Implant in one ear at $100,000.00. MONEY THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE…BUT GOD…….! Now, she hears and is learning to talk. Jesus, The Healer!"
…Min. Brenda Jackson, TMBC, Seattle, WA

"Last year we were blessed to move the retreat to a larger location. When I walked into the room I automatically felt the presence of the Lord meeting us there. There was such a sweet spirit that remained there the entire time we were there. I thought it to be so like Him to put the word "fragrance" in the sermon that Min. Angel White spoke. This particular year my Husband, Rodney ("Big Daddy") came along. He said he hadn't seen or felt that much spirit in one place at one time. He said he truly understands now why us women come back "lookin' all tow' up". I truly look forward to riding the bus, fellowshipping, laughing, crying, rejoicing, running, shouting and sharing with all my Sisters in Christ. It's a blessing just to be a part of such a rewarding vision. I appreciate you Sis. Manaway for not hoarding the spotlight and giving the accolades to God whom desires the praise. Thank you for sharing His vision."
Evang. Stephanie McKinney, Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, Phoenix, AZ