Last week 50 women from Senegal, Ghana, and the Gambia, representing more than a dozen churches from various denominations, gathered in Banjul, the capital city of the Gambia. They received training in micro-enterprise, health, and the Women in the Window inductive, narrative Bible study method.
As we mentioned last week, the Gambia is predominantly Muslim, yet Muslims often struggle to feel comfortable in Christian churches. We were delighted that four of the 50 women were Muslims! This week of training provided an opportunity for these Muslim women (and others still) to experience Christ’s love in action!
Although we were sadly disappointed that the women from Sierra Leone and Guinea were unable to join us due to travel restrictions, several women leaders emerged from each training group who indicated a desire to go forward and train others, including women from the surrounding nations. Here are some quotes from women who participated in last week’s training:
Micro-enterprise:
“Before attending this training I felt as though I had been sleeping, and now I am awake!”
“I know how to make lesson plans as a teacher, but never knew how to plan for my business. Until now!”
Health:
“Thank you for addressing the issue of female genital circumcision. It is a terrible problem in this country and might be the most important issue women face here.”
Women in the Window Bible study method:
“Women in the Window helps us to interact and learn from each other as women, and it will help me bring God’s message of salvation to my village, my church, and even the members of my family.”
We arrived safely in Togo late last night, and Monday through Wednesday will lead a dual training in micro-enterprise and the Women in the Window Bible study method for women leaders from Togo and Benin. Women here are open, responsive, and hungry for the Lord’s empowerment and equipping!
Prayer Requests
- Safety and traveling mercies
- Good translation into local languages and French
- Clear communication with all that needs to be done in a relatively short amount of time
- Leaders will emerge (similar to our experience in the Gambia) so that this training will be the first of many
- Ghanaian Edna Tackie, a trainer of trainers, is co-leading the micro-enterprise training with Jackie Hilliard. Pray for her to have confidence and joy!
- Pray that we will be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith; that our relationships will be strengthened and that God will be honored by our words, actions, and lives! “For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.” Romans 1:11-12 ESV
Praising Him,
Jackie, Kim & Sherri
P.S. Be sure to check our Facebook page for more photos from our trip!