Women's Conference Summary

from Taylor Welty
We joined our Zambian sisters in speaking to the women of Zambia who are currently in various leadership positions, whether in their churches or elsewhere (although the group was primarily comprised of Christian women) about their role in their community. The people of Africa are so hungry to learn and grow spiritually. Many of them have experienced the redemption that comes from taking hold of Christ’s love with both hands, and they are eager to grow in the knowledge of their faith. Topics at the conference included growing in a relationship with God, acting on faith, boldness to stand firm in truth, raising godly families and growing in godly marriages, human trafficking, changing communities through education, spiritual gifts, and practical topics such as AIDS prevention and germ control (taught by a nurse from our team and one of the Zambian nurses).

Through each message, the Zambian and US teams got to encourage the women to recognize their value and the ability they possess in impacting their communities, as well as to know how priceless and treasured they are by God. We challenged each other to seek change and step into it when it seems uncomfortable to do so… The neat thing about messages that called for change in their society in particular was that these messages were primarily addressed by the Zambian team, speaking to their own people. The people of Africa truly want to strengthen and build up their economy, to end poverty and to enforce the basic human rights of freedom and human dignity. They find themselves caught in a limbo where the possibility for enacting lasting change seems out of reach, but the only way to reverse old habits is to move forward and work against those practices that have been negatively impacting their society. It is not about changing their culture per say, but instead changing the way they treat each other. Because of their poverty, there is much corruption everywhere and the people resort to human degradation to earn a few dollars. One Zambian speaker at the conference whose name was Lizzy spoke powerfully to the women demanding that they stop relegating their children to human trafficking, depriving them of the chance to be properly educated and to therefore have the opportunity to impact their society and future generations. The women sat and soaked up every word... They were like sponges.

Culturally, these concepts are difficult to put into practice and understand. Much of African culture embraces the notion that there is no past or future, only the present—as in a revolving continuum. There is not an understanding of planning for one's future or the consequences that will result if there is no action taken (hence the giant potholes in the roads wherever you go), and so the concept of teaching their children to affect future generations and unhealthy habits is huge.

But God is not one to look at a seemingly impossible task and be daunted. He is a God of the impossible. He is a God of the unimaginable, and He is doing incredible things in Africa.

One of the most rewarding moments presented itself when one of the women approached one of our team members and said, “Wow. Now I get it! If we raise the next generation to know truth and to actively be involved in their society, we can change the future of our countries with each new generation.” It was at times like these that we couldn’t help but be amazed at the work God has been doing in Africa and continues to do. What a joy it was to be a part of it!

I was so inspired by the genuine love and joy pouring out of every fiber of our brothers and sisters there, too. They have incredible hearts of gold and hold nothing back when there is a need, though they live in poverty themselves. What Christ-like love is this, that a man would lay his life down for his friends. And that is what they do—every day.