Women's Group

I try my best to update you guys every month or so about ministry in Los Pinos because things change so quickly. The ministry is the same, but it tends to express itself in a lot of different ways depending on the needs, and lately God has been multiplying the ministry really quickly, so I want to share with all of you!

The biggest piece of exciting news is a brand new weekly women’s group for the women of Sector F, and a few from a different sector as well! A few weeks ago, I stopped by to say hello to an old pastor friend of mine in Los Pinos, and we began talking about the ministry God has called me to there. He volunteered to introduce me to many of the women of his congregation who live in the area where I minister. The plan was originally just to meet them and then be able to minister to them in their homes when I visit the area, as not many people are able to visit there right now.  However, from the beginning, God put on my heart the need to build a strong community of God-seeking women, praying and interceding for their families and communities.

So, the first week, Mary Lynn and I showed up, not knowing what to expect, and we were joined by about 12 moms and a whole bunch of children! The next week, 12 or so more women, mostly different from the women from the first week, and we still have no idea how many of them found out about the meeting. The third week, only five of us came, but still a wonderful time of sharing and prayer. For this upcoming week, we have very high hopes because we were able to invite all ~26 moms from the Mother’s Day event, and we had many people come up afterwards to double check time, where we meet, etc, and tell us how excited they are about it. One elderly woman in particular was super excited because due to her vision problems and general safety problems, she can’t make it to the many church services or groups at night, but during the afternoon is perfect for her! Many of the women that have attended the group so far I've met briefly during my time in Sector F or are somehow related to the families I know, but there are also many I've never met and probably wouldn't have met if it weren't for the group. Praise God for new open doors! 

Mary Lynn and I have prayed and talked many times about what we feel God wants for this group. From the beginning, we’ve agreed that we want this group to be something different than the standard. Many home groups I’ve seen through churches here are nothing more than the Pastor preaching a church service in someone’s home. There’s nothing wrong with that, but we want to do something different. We do not want to be in charge. We will facilitate if needed, but the group is for and by the women. The discussion is theirs, they pray and intercede for each other and their communities, and they learn to understand their power and influence in their everyday lives. Part of that is them presenting and sharing scripture, and a big part is them praying for and with each other and forming a solid Christian community, celebrating and mourning together.  So far the group has seen very young moms, grandmas, women years into their faith, women just investigating the faith, a mom who just weeks ago lost her two teenage daughters to senseless gang violence, women who don’t leave their house much because their husbands don’t “allow” them to, a woman out of work with four kids at home unsure of where every meal will come from, victims of domestic violence, and the list goes on and on. We pray every week that God sends exactly the women who need to attend, and He has very clearly done that.

We are very excited to continue to build this group every week. We meet every Wednesday, but Mary Lynn and I also spend every Monday morning in Los Pinos as well. This allows us to have one on one time with the women in their homes, address things that come up in the group, and come alongside them wherever they are, whether it’s spiritual struggles, help pursuing work or education, emotional or family problems. Also, many times there are things that someone may not be comfortable sharing in a group setting, but they desperately need someone to listen and pray with them in a one on one setting.

These women live under a constant threat of violence; darkness thinks it has won in their community. However, I know that they, as Christians, have the victory already, and they will be a light to their community. Women in this country are not encouraged to feel empowered or influential, but I know these women are, and they have so much more power than they know. The world tells them that they are nothing without a man, the gangs rule over them, and that their bodies are their only source of value. However, God says they are a light that can’t be hidden, their prayers can move mountains, and that they have the victory.

Join me in praying for this group throughout the week, and especially as we meet every Wednesday afternoon! Please pray that we begin to establish a stable group of women that will continue to show up week after week so unity within the group can continue to grow. Also, we are currently meeting in a church right outside of Sector F, but we hope to move the group into Sector F into someone's home when God says the time is right, so be praying into that as well, and all the logistical and safety issues that go along with it. God has big things planned for these women!!