SHEA PATRICK

SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

 

When I sat in Leadership Training in February, I had no idea that God was calling me to Nairobi, Kenya this summer.  Five months later, I found myself part of a team of sixteen women from every age and stage of life.  We assisted the Africa Evangelical Presbyterian Church in holding a four day Women’s Health Symposium.  Women heard teaching on theology, dealing with stress, parenting, mental health issues, and other topics that address the whole of a woman’s life—physical, emotional, and spiritual.  The team also held a medical clinic each day for conference participants, many of whom do not have routine access to medical care.

Here are a few highlights of our time there:

1) Women traveled from all over Kenya to be at this conference with their sisters.  A young pastor’s wife traveled with her thirteen-month-old twins and a friend by motorcycle for two hours (with a driver) and by bus for another 10 hours.  How humbling to see their commitment to fellowship and learning with their sisters.  How often I take for granted my access to teaching and training specifically designed for women!

2) During our discussion times, I was struck by how my sisters in Kenya face many of the same issues we face here in the States.  In three different languages (with translation, of course), women admitted their struggles with gossip, envy, and discontent.  We talked about how the gospel is the only answer to our struggles with sin (no matter what language you speak).

3) This trip was my first with a team of all women.  It was a great reminder of how God has uniquely gifted women to minister for His glory.  Each woman served a role on our team, whether teaching God’s word, counseling women with broken home lives, encouraging pastor’s wives to continue to serve, or serving in the medical clinic until the last patient was seen.  What a beautiful mosaic of personalities, gifts, and abilities coming together to serve the kingdom!

What a privilege to worship with my sisters who I will see again as a part of the great throng of witnesses from every tribe, tongue, and nation.