By Janet Thiessen

THIS past August, a team of 10 women from North Langley Community Church were privileged to visit Africa.  The focus of our trip was a week spent in Tanzania, where we connected for the first time with women from the village of Kiseke.

For more than three years, our women’s group has helped bring economic, emotional and spiritual aid to Kiseke’s women.

After many requests to come visit, we finally had the joy of meeting them face to face.  The instant bond of love with our African sisters was overwhelming.  We were met with laughter, tears, singing and dancing, and despite the language barrier, the relationships we formed with the women in Kiseke were extraordinary.  

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Highlights of our trip included sharing in God’s word, worship and prayer with the trainers and others in the program who are Christians.  Each day 30 – 50 women from the village would be at the centre to interact with us. We also spent time observing the skills and classes they teach, as well as visiting in their homes.  It is not unusual for one woman to raise  from six to 12 children on her own, as she cares for her own as well as nephews and nieces orphaned by the AIDS crisis. We were continually humbled that despite overwhelming poverty, these women insisted on having us in their homes and giving us gifts such as oranges or bananas.

We came away more determined than ever to continue our support for Kiseke. More than the economic aid they receive through their program, these women are benefiting significantly from working together. In a country where women shoulder the majority of the work to help their families survive, the women of Kiseke are learning that spiritual and emotional community is vital.

Janet Thiessen is pastor of women's ministries at North Langley Community Church.

October 2007