Gospel Implications for Womanhood Recap

Daniela and me in Jikaze IDP camp

Last term went by really quickly because not only was school in session, we had volunteer trips coming and going and Christine and I had our first discipleship intern, named Daniela (pictured above)! She assisted us in regular lesson planning for our different programs and helped divide the load of one on one meetings (since there are 42 students) so we could be more intentional! She was such a blessing to have around for 5 weeks and I know the girls thoroughly enjoyed getting to know her!

Me and Felicia, Form 3 at the soccer tournament (photobombed by her sister Francine)

Within last term, our discipleship program focused on a few key topics that encouraged and challenged our students to rise up as peer educators and leaders in their faith. In discussion group specifically, we have been working to lay the strong foundation of belief by teaching these young ladies about their identity as believers in Christ. We focused on the basic truth that we were made in His image and to worship Him by putting all our hope, joy, and satisfaction in Jesus. We looked at how to carry yourself as a godly woman and what our roles are as women of Christ. It is hard enough being a woman in general, but in this day and age where we can so easily become insecure because of what standards the world holds us to, and we wanted these girls to claim FREEDOM to be different.

Selfie Queens

In Bible study, we looked at what it would look like to live intentionally for Christ if we really claim to be His followers. The students learned about the value of reading Gods word, setting aside time each day to meet with God and pray, how to love those around us like Christ would, and how to fully embrace who God created them to be without comparing themselves to others. 

Oh they are fully embracin' it alright.....

In GLOW Club (life skills club), we spent weeks answering the question, "what is beauty?" based on what we think, society thinks, and most importantly what God thinks. We explored the world of beauty products including skin bleaching which is so common among darker-skinned communities. We also looked at how the media manipulates the minds of young girls to feel they should look a certain way. Specifically, we found pictures of African American celebrities whose complexions were altered by a process called "white washing" to make them lighter skinned and according to the world, more beautiful. GLOW Club also served as a place where personal hygiene, nutrition, exercise, and mental health could be discussed freely and the students could learn not just about how to steward our outward appearances for Gods glory, but also honor him by honoring our bodies in every way.

Beautiful aren't they? :)

 Lastly, in chapel, sermons were preached on assurance of faith. This was of the utmost importance because none of the other subjects were going to sink in if the students could not be certain they were saved and had an eternal hope to live for. Our vision for Uhuru girls is one of excellence not just in the classroom, but in their everyday endeavors as they strive to live for Christ and His mission. We pray for spiritual freedom as they grow into who God has created them to be, and that they would be confident in their identities as beautiful, humble, and generous women of God.

We cannot wait for them to return and hear how their breaks from school went. In Bible study we challenged those who were believers to get baptized in their home churches around their families and communities to profess their faith and follow Jesus' example. We also gave them a list of 30 verses, one for each day, and challenged them to read one a day and contemplate what it means and its implications on their lives. We look forward to being around their virbant personalities and teenage girl laughter again, especially since this will be my last school term with them before I leave at the end of the year! Time has flown by but I am so thankful to have these last 3 months with them, establishing and growing in our faith together!

6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. [Colossians 2:6-7]