Our women's ministry here in Tororo is really growing and the women are growing in their knowledge and faith in Jesus. Janet is the women's leader and I am the Bible study leader for our Wednesday women's bible study. About six months ago Janet had the idea to meet in the women's homes instead of meeting at the church. This decision has been such a good one. We are getting to know them and they are getting to know us. We meet, study the bible, share testimonies and pray together. We are becoming a family.
Yesterday was bible study and we were in the home of "Ruth" (not her real name). She is a young mother living in a mud house that could fall down at any time. Ruth shared her testimony with us. She is from a Muslim background, her family is Muslim, her husband is Muslim. When she came to know Christ her husband left her because she would not renounce her faith, her brothers turned against her for the same reason. She was pregnant and her baby was very late so her husband wanted her to go to the witch doctor and she refused. A friend came to visit and encourage her and they spent two hours in prayer and then they walked out of the house. Immediately when they walked out, the house collapsed. She had nothing left. But still she refused to leave her faith in Jesus. Also immediately she went into labor and delivered a healthy baby boy. She has started a business, she works hard and she is living in someone else's mud house. While she was going through all those difficult times, the church she was going to did not come to see her, did not even reach out to her. She said she felt very alone at that time. A friend brought her to Mavuno and we welcomed her. When we went to her home yesterday she was so excited that we would come. She stated that she would never leave our church and all the other women agreed with her.
I am humbled by these women! Ruth's story is just a representation of so many of our women, they struggle so much and have so little. Sometimes they don't even know where their next meal is coming from and sometimes they go to bed hungry. We have so much and feel blessed by the Lord, but sometimes I feel like they are the truly blessed ones. They have learned how to be thankful, praising God even in the very difficult times.
Sunday was International Baptist Women's Day of Prayer. Baptist women all over the world came together to unite in prayer for countries, their villages or towns, their churches and their homes. Our women took over the church service, leading in praise and worship and leading the service. I was honored to be asked to be the "Preacher" of the day. It was a wonderful service and the women led with joy. God is working in the lives of these precious women and it is exciting to be even a small part of it!
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