Women’s Conference

Oloto kaapei! Let’s go together! Neni kai ka Akuj! To the house of the Lord! Oloto kaapei! Let’s go together!

This past weekend, the mission hosted its first women’s conference! As with any event, you never know how it will go until it has gone. The mission printed out 100 tickets for the women of the church to use as invitations for the event. 107 women came! Pastor James taught on Philippians 4. It was such a good reminder to focus on Christ even in the midst of suffering. He taught that gentleness, reasonableness, joy, thankfulness, and peace are all weapons in the Christian’s life against sin and Satan. It is too easy to have our minds in the snake hole, thinking of our own problems, but when we look up to Christ our hearts are lifted up as well. The Lord is near and wanting us to draw nearer to him!

We also had the privilege of hearing testimonies from three women about the Lord’s goodness in their lives. Aleo Melda is a clinical officer at AYPC. She shared how the Lord provided for her and her family through her many years of schooling. Also, how her work with us has been an answer to her and her grandmother’s prayers. Esther Folkerts shared about how the Lord has worked in her heart through coming to the field, being attacked in Kampala and the long recovery. She reminded us that we are safe in the Lord’s hands no matter what the circumstances are, that the Lord doesn’t promise a trouble free life, but is always present with us even in the midst of trials. Dengel Joyce also gave a testimony of some trials early on in her Christian walk, how the Lord used them to draw her to Himself, and was faithful when she had nothing.

After each session, we would break up into discussion groups. I was paired with a good friend of mine, Onyang Esther. We led the group together. Sometimes I would ask the question, sometimes she would. We worked together in both languages. We laughed and did our best to draw out the ladies. They shared freely and were interested in what each other had to say. Our group included new and old faces. I was so encouraged to hear that some were Onyang’s neighbors that she had invited. As I looked across the crowd, I also enjoyed seeing grandmothers, daughters and granddaughters all worshiping together; faces and families that the mission has worked with and prayed for over the two decades it has been here. The clinic staff was also well represented, including community health workers to midwives and clinical officers. Some came in tattered old clothes, others in floor length gowns. In Karamoja, there is no rejoicing without jumping! With only a small nudge from the leading translator, the ladies sang their hearts out, clapped, jumped, ululated, drummed and praised. What a gift to see them all together in fellowship and jubilant worship!

Give thanks with us for a successful conference. We know that the Word does not return void. Pray for us as we follow up, and walk with these ladies in the everyday.

Kipurete Ekaplon! Praise the Lord! Amen.