Only the buzzing of overhead lights disturbed the hush when 834 women listened to Debbie Mayer tell of losing three daughters in a traffic accident and how her faith helped her deal with it.
The women were attending the 15th annual “Morning of Joy” event in Sioux Falls, S.D. They came from South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa for the event sponsored by Coffee Break ministries for women.
Brenda Elgersma of First Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Falls has attended Morning of Joy events five or six times. “It was very encouraging that [Debbie Mayer] could still celebrate God,” she said.
This may be the final year for the Morning of Joy event. The organizer for the past 15 years is retiring, and no one has yet volunteered to take on the task.
Holly Dekkers of Hawarden (Iowa) CRC heard about the topic and was one of many young women attending for the first time.
She observed, “It’s always amazing to be in a room with this many people and know there’s a Christ connection.”
