As the other women bustled about the room, she was at peace with me and with the conversation. She described growing up in Kibera, and how God had provided her with the opportunity to move to another part of town in 2007. She talked about her calling to this community, which was her home, her history. The place that had made her who she is.
She wanted to be near her friends, doing something that mattered.
She talked about her desire to see the women of Kibera develop their skills and build their future...particularly women living with HIV. She shared about the bible studies that the ladies do together on Wednesdays because though they want to grow their ministry, they want to follow God more.
I discovered Power Women Group in Kibera, sort of on a whim. I had noticed the building every day on my short walk to school, but had never gone inside. It always brought a smile to my face when I saw the Mamas and all the babies sitting in front, chatting, working and playing together.
Then on my way home for lunch one day...I remembered that I needed to get some measurements done on a dress I need to have made. I was walking by their building at the time, and felt the Holy Spirit prompting me to go in.
So, I did.
As all the Mama’s gathered around me, poking, lifting, moving, measuring and recording, we laughed our way through the unexpectedness of the moment.
It wasn’t this super powerful or sacred or Holy connection...but it was funny. Mostly for them. And a bit awkward. Mostly for me.
But in that moment, I knew I was where I was supposed to be.
Preparing for this trip, I knew I had to be flexible. But I’m now coming to understand that flexible is an understatement. What I’m really learning to be is OPEN.
Open to His leading. Open to his directing of my paths.
Open to His hand in my ministry, in my life.
And as much as I have been praying that He would go before me and prepare the way, I am learning that sometimes, He shows me the way of my steps as I take them.
Because “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps”. Proverbs 16:9.
In order to move in the direction He wants me to go...I need to listen to His quiet voice and follow.
It is my desire to get to know these women more, to be their friend. So if you pray, you might pray for that. I have such a desire to support them in some way, and to learn from all the wisdom they have to offer. I’m hoping God will show me what part of my heart I can give to them, because I know without a doubt, I will be leaving with a bit of theirs in mine.