Global Spotlight

Kenya – Sept. 9, 2019

November 11, 2019 Leave a Comment

After ministering in Mukono, Uganda, Ellen Krahn, Evelyn Franklin, Vicky Ahlberg, and Margaret Gibb travelled to Nairobi, Kenya, a familiar place for Ellen, Evelyn, and Margaret.

Our schedule was filled with gatherings for pastors’ wives and medical camps in two different locations in Nairobi. We hosted an overnight retreat—a special time of bonding and deep spiritual connection—for the Women Together Kenya team and made plans for future ministry. We also had a special opportunity to meet staff at the Kenya Medical College, hear their stories, and begin discussions on how we can work together. We acknowledged that only God could have opened that door!

Eunice Monda, our Women Together Kenya Co-ordinator, joined our team to continue our work in Kisumu, Nyang’ori, and Kisii. A week in this part of Western Kenya was filled with spiritual enrichment at the Nyang’ori Pentecostal Bible College, women’s conferences, and leadership training for women. Medical camps were held in Kisumu, Nyang’ori, and Kisii.

The medical camps are great opportunities to provide medical care, build connection, and provide spiritual encouragement. In total, throughout five medical camps, our nurses, doctors, and pharmacist saw over 500 people. Our medical supplies were depleted, but our spirits soared. At every medical camp, we had a station designated for prayer. Every person who came for medical help was prayed for. Several gave their hearts to Christ.

We will be back in 2020!

Uganda – Sept 4, 2019

November 10, 2019 Leave a Comment

A Women Together team—Ellen Krahn, Margaret Gibb, and Vicky Ahlberg left for Entebbe, Uganda on Sept 4 and arrived in Mukono, Uganda at 4:00 a.m. on Sept 5. Evelyn Franklin, a dedicated nurse and WT team member from Canada, was there to meet us at the airport. Evelyn had been in Uganda for two months teaching a Home Based Care course to 16 young people. The course, which Evelyn developed herself, teaches practical nursing skills for providing at-home care to the elderly—a much-needed ministry in a country with few caregivers due to the devastating impact of HIV/AIDs.

With 20 hours of flying time behind them and a few hours of sleep, the team was ready to go. Ellen and Margaret taught leadership training to the staff of ROTOM, a Christian organization dedicated to serving the needs of the elderly and those under their care. Vicky had a first-hand orientation on the work of ROTOM. Evelyn finished teaching her Home Based Care Course and prepared for her students’ graduation.

The team had the opportunity to visit some seniors in their humble village homes—a deeply moving experience. We met David, a man living alone in a home that needed extensive repair. He wept when we came to visit him and brought him groceries. He was so sad when we first came, but wept with joy when he was given sugar, flour, toothpaste, and other grocery items.

It was a joy to celebrate the graduates of the Home Based Care Course with their parents and friends. Equipped with basic health care knowledge, these students have seized a golden opportunity to learn. Out of the 11 students who graduated from Evelyn’s first class in 2017, nine are now employed, and out of the 16 who just completed their training, four are employed. This is good news. One of the girls, Viola, the valedictorian, is now pursuing her dream to be become a nurse. Women Together, through Evelyn Franklin, gave her hope and a future!

Ukraine – May 2019

July 3, 2019 Leave a Comment

What does it feel like to visit Ukraine for the 11th time?
Margaret Gibb, Executive Director of Women Together, made her 11th trip to Ukraine in May 2019 and says, “It was as exciting as my first trip in November 2010 because in every trip, I see more amazing things happening with women. We are now positioned to do more!”

Mary Carr, Prayer Coordinator at Bethel Church Sarnia, Ontario, joined Margaret. Together they experienced the warmth and hospitality of Ukrainian people and enjoyed quality time with the Women Together teams in various cities in Ukraine.

Upon arrival in Kyiv on May 16, WT Ukraine coordinator Veronika Nuzhna and husband Oleg met Margaret and Mary at the airport. Their first stop of ministry was in Kryvyi Rih at a dynamic church called House of Bread, where Women Together hosted a women’s conference.

The creative and inspiring Women Together team in Kryvyi Rih has a deep heart for women and knows how to plan a top-notch conference. Excitement was high as women came from many different areas of Kryvyi Rih, the longest city in Europe, with a total area of 410 km2. The Women Together conference was dynamic, as women responded to the ministry of the Word and nailed their prayer concerns on a cross. Who could ever forget the sense of God among the women?

Zhovti Vody, a unique Ukrainian city, was the next place of ministry. Margaret and Mary were more than welcomed by one of their host church’s key pastoral teams—Lena and Igor Muzichuk. (Aside from being a busy pastor, Igor is also a bee-keeper!) To meet the WT leadership team in Zhovti Vody and enjoy a lunch meeting with pastor’s wives from the area was a wonderful experience. Margaret and Mary met many courageous women with incredible stories. The WT evening gathering was filled with JOY!

In Poltava, WT held another women’s conference, had an amazing WT team strategy meeting, and celebrated God’s goodness on Sunday morning at the Good News Church, encouraging the congregation to live in expectation of what God will do.

Women Together’s 3rd Connect Leadership School was held in Radomyshl’ near Kyiv, a beautiful setting for a week-long gathering. Over 60 women who all serve in some leadership capacity came from 15 cities and 22 churches. Topics covered included Being Unstoppable in the Calling of God, Working with People, Building a Team, Creating Unity. The women loved the interactive sessions and the Connect booklet. They were eager students and said that they will use the notes to teach the women in their churches.

WT Ukraine leader Veronika Nuzhna and 3 WT teams in 3 cities are doing an amazing work in Ukraine. And there is more to come!

Bogota, Colombia – February, 2019

March 14, 2019 Leave a Comment

Instead of eating chocolate on Valentine’s Day this year, three women boarded a flight to Bogota, Colombia! Heidi McLaughlin, Carol Ann Hurtubise, and Margaret Gibb represented Women Together (WT) for two weeks of ministry in three Colombian cities: Bogota, Chiquinquira, and Bucaramanga. Stepping away from the cold Canadian winter was good for the soul—Colombia welcomed the Women Together team with warm summer temperatures and a display of nature’s brilliant and beautiful colors. It was a photographer’s heaven!

The people of Colombia are warm, friendly, and very family orientated. “We are family” was repeated, lived, and practiced in every church the team visited. From the first speaking assignment to the last, the team felt like they were part of a family.

Heidi, Carol Ann, and Margaret spoke in churches and at a leadership conference for pastors. They also had the great privilege of speaking to over 1,200 students in two schools. What a great opportunity to watch an assembly of students in school uniform walk into an auditorium ready to listen to God’s Word!

Another opportunity came in Bucaramanga, where the team had the privilege to speak to 300 social workers and psychologists who serve over 5,000 families. Heidi, Carol Ann, and Margaret were the first foreigners to speak to this assembly of women.

They provided encouragement, affirmation, and inspiring words from Scripture to help the social workers see their God-given purpose and impact on lives. The friendship and spiritual connection with the audience—not all believers—was truly God at work!

Many “God-moments” stand out from this journey to Colombia: traveling with two incredible translators, experiencing church in a courtyard under a huge tree, meeting and praying with refugees from Venezuela, attending a church/community centre grand opening, and experiencing vibrant Colombian worship. (Can they ever sing!)

And who could forget eating chicken and potatoes with plastic gloves?

We are invited back for 2020 with many opportunities to pour into the lives of leaders, students, and women! And we are ready!

Colombia is an amazing and beautiful country! Christians in Colombia have a passion for the Lord and a passion to see their nation come to the Lord. What an amazing opportunity we have to join Canada and Colombia together in prayer for both nations.” – Carol Ann Hurtubise

The landscape beauty of Colombia is surpassed only by their music and powerful, heartfelt worship. The people don’t just sing the words; they pour them deeply into their hearts. Then it makes them clap, dance, and enjoy the presence of God.” – Heidi McLaughlin