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.