Women and Children
Share International’s Women and Children Program (SIWCP) takes place in the villages where Share has planted churches. This ministry focuses on weekly Bible study for women, food distribution, nutrition education, hygiene, small business training, and fellowship. The Women and Children Program costs $300 a month to educate and equip impoverished women and their children.
Even with prevailing drought and persistent famine and hunger in Turkanaland, SIWCP made some headway in accomplishing holistic growth among women and children in six remote villages this year. Teaching sessions centered on tithing, health education, sanitation, and hygiene. Other sessions included teaching Bible basics to children and leadership and income- generating training projects for women. Agnes Nakara, the SIWCP Coordinator writes:
“We minister to between 25 and 40 women in each SI-planted church each week by teaching various subjects, including Women as Watchmen, Prayer and Fasting, Daughters of Sarah and The Role of Women in the Church. We are witnessing outstanding spiritual growth among them. As a result of the SI Adult Literacy program in the churches, some women are now able to read and teach the Word of God. The combined SIHP (Health Program) and SIWCP ministry teams enable the teaching of the Bible to the women before they receive medical treatment.
A few of the women have picked up the soap-making business with significant success. Others have failed due to lack of capital. We are also receiving good reports from the pastors about the women. The pastors have been strongly advised by SI to be at the meetings when we visit their villages.
We have continued to teach Nutrition to women as Dr. Mary Murimi taught us during STORM in June. We have also taught preparation of food and fed cooked food to women and children as Mary and her teaching team demonstrated to us. We encourage women to keep their homesteads clean, drink boiled water and cooked food. We also meet some of the sanitary needs for young girls.”
The SIWCP team and various SI-supported pastors have witnessed God touch and change lives this year during revival meetings in various villages. In August, the team visited Nakabaran village. They reported that, “There was a great Holy Ghost fire during the overnight vigil revivals. God moved in the village, leaving the community amazed at the changed lives and witnessing the illiterate speak in unknown tongues! God used the outreach to lead many in the village to a saving faith in Christ, instantly increasing the number of those that attend mid-week discipleship meetings and Sunday services. Such meetings have now been extended to homes. God has been so gracious to us this year.”
Similar meetings were held in the same village in September, this time in various homes located a several miles walk from the church. There was a total attendance of 200 people. The Word of God was preached and taught, resulting in 35 people surrendering their lives to Christ as Savior. Others received healing. The team spent a whole day ministering to 50 children through the Word, games, song and snacks. The team thanked the Lord “for providing the strength to walk and minister, despite occasional health setbacks.”
In the same month, the SIWCP leadership ministered in Nadapal Village. A total of 45 people gave their lives to Christ during revival meetings and the hut-to-hut evangelism. The team reports that, “We witnessed a breakthrough by the hand of God that we have never experienced since SI started ministry in Nadapal in 1997. Jesus revealed Himself to His people.”
In October, the team traveled to Monti village for a similar mission, resulting in 20 people putting their faith in Christ as Savior. The SITE ministry joined the team for one day and screened The Jesus Film in the night. “People were moved by the film; they realized that God sent his only begotten Son for the forgiveness of our sins.” The team spent one day ministering to children, teaching the Word of God from Ephesians 6:1-3. The children were served with cookies and candies after the meetings. “They were very happy!”
Similar meetings were also held at different times over the year in Chokchok, Elelea, Kaitese, Nayuu and Nayanae, with special ministries to young girls. A total of 1,355 women and 286 girls attended the meetings, and 63 women and 15 young girls gave their lives to Christ.
In October, SIWCP held a one-day leadership seminar at the Nawoitorong Women’s Center for women in SI-planted churches; 75 women leaders attended. Subjects covered included Leadership, Practicing Our Talents and Taking Care of Homes. Such seminars during the year have enabled the women to take leadership responsibilities in ministries directly related to women, such as preparation and distribution of cooked food and organization. Some of the young women shared how their parents are now realizing the advantage of marrying off their daughters to young men, not the elderly!
We request increased funding from $300 to $600/mo for SIWCP for 2011.
Alice Lokulan, widow and mother of two working at her food kiosk provided through Share International’s Small Business Loan Program to help support sustainable income to Turkana families.
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