ICM Women's Ministry Ceremony

After several weeks of our first Women's Ministry seminars in the Congo, we handed out certificates celebrating the women that came to nine days of teaching. The women were very happy to be there. What was encouraging to me (grace) was that at the beginning very few had their Bibles in hand and were hesitant to talk in their small groups, by the last day, all Bibles were open and the discussions were warm and thoughtful. In a culture where women aren't highly valued for their intellect and leadership, it was exciting to see their faces light up as we validated them as women created in the image of God. Sarah Bird Lewis helped me out in the last week of training. She even had a chance to tell her own story of adopting Gaby from Romania. The women were very touched by her words. Then she taught a training for some women on pedicures and manicures. We'll try and post some of those pictures tomorrow (internet has been soooo slow!).....it has been amazing to have Sarah here.