In September 2015, a second Women Together arrived in the Calcutta to work with a few days with Jewels in a Crown, an outstanding ministry to women who have lost their dignity and hope. It was a moving experience to be with women who have found God, and found new life! Our lives were enriched to get to know these special women and share in meaningful discussions, training and prayer.

Our trip also included several days in Bokaro Steel City, where Women Together provides scholarship for 2 young women enrolled at Trinity Theological College. The Pentecostal Assembly School which has 1,800 students from the city of Bokaro was a never-to-be-forgotten experience. Tricia Gibb, a Student Ministries Pastor won the hearts of the students in her daily devotionals. Ruth Coghill and Margaret Gibb teamed up to provide teaching and training for the teachers of the school, community women and the theological students. Spending time with our scholarship girls was delightful! We have an on-going relationship with both Jewels in a Crown and the work in Bokaro and we will be back.

Margaret Gibb, was invited to teach, in August, at the YWAM Base in Recife Brazil to 25 students who are are preparing for their calling to serve in countries around the world. For one week, I taught on: God’s Call on Women from Bible times to today. What a privilege to engage in profitable discussion and peer learning on a critical topic in today’s world. They were keen students, ready to learn! There was a rich connection with the students and it continues through social media.

In May, Women Together held its first Pastors’ Wives Retreat with leaders of eight different denominations who had not been together before. We encouraged them to see ministry as a high calling and privilege. For three days we connected, prayed, shared life lessons, and provided requested leadership training. Tanya Ignatenko, a strong leader and pastor’s wife, said: “This is the best Pastor’s Wives Retreat I have ever attended. We needed the encouragement.”

As we look toward May 2016, when we will return, we will build on what was accomplished.

In March, the Women Together team had a special facilitation meeting with gifted leaders in Nairobi and three rich days with graduate wives and leaders in Nyang’ori. We encouraged the graduate wives to find their identity only in Jesus and to allow God to release their potential. To the leaders in Nairobi, our challenge was: “What can we do together that you can’t do alone?” Working with pastors’ wives and widows was sighted as a top area of need. We continue to work with these women through on-going encouragement even as we prepare to return in March 2016.

In Kenya, our nurses gave excellent medical training on menopause, care of the new mother and baby, hygiene, and nutrition. This was wanted, appreciated, and needed. The women engaged by asking questions and participating in discussions. We provided over-the-counter medication and blood pressure testing. We did what we could to equip the women, and they are asking for more! Plans are already in the works for 2016 to develop a stronger emphasis on health and wellness with more training and organized clinics.