Women of the World

On today, International Women’s Day, I’m reflecting on the many, many faces of women I’ve been able to encounter so far on the race. From Africa to Asia and now in Central America (alongside, of course, the many I know in America), women keep showing up and showing out with inconceivable strength and the brightest bolts of light. 

I’ve met teachers, pastors, students, doctors, engineers, architects, farmers, missionaries, entrepreneurs, artists, chefs, and mothers. And I’ve heard the dreams of little girls who want to grow up and end the cycle of poverty in their families. I’ve seen women working hard at what they do, not only because it’s simply what they have to do to stay alive but also because they believe in doing it all for the glory of God and for the wellbeing of their families. 

I’ve seen women in Côte d’Ivoire passionately sharing the good news of Christ in their community. I’ve seen women in Ghana running a ministry that rescues boys out of slave labor and equips women with job skills to prevent them from selling their children into said slave labor. I’ve seen women in Nepal dancing their native dance joyfully for the Lord and to tell stories of the goodness of God. I’ve seen women in India worship the Lord with their whole hearts as they make up the majority of the congregations. I’ve seen women in Cambodia trapped in prostitution because it is a respectable way to provide for their families. I’ve seen women in Myanmar, a closed country, being educated in a Bible School so they can go back to their home regions and be ministers of the Gospel. I’ve seen women in Thailand patiently and effectively teaching little ones not only the curriculum in the schools, but also just how important and special they are. And now I’ve seen women in El Salvador faithfully ministering to current and former prostitutes to reveal to them a healthier and fulfilling life in Jesus. 

The inspiration I feel when I think about all I’ve seen fills me with butterflies. And the women I’ve met, whether I heard their stories or not, only scratch the surface of the number of women in the world serving with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. What a force to be reckoned with! God made women in the image of the Godself, and so we have God’s very love and strength and beauty coursing through our veins! If God is for us, who can be against us?! Not only today, but also every day, I hope to have this same fervor in recognition of the impact of women worldwide.

So, thank you. Thank you to those whose stories I didn’t hear but only looked in your experience-filled eyes. Thank you to those whose stories I briefly heard but still know how important you are. And thank you to those whose stories I get to be a part of for a long time- my amazing friends and family. We come in all shapes, sizes, colors, cultures, and opinions, but EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. of us has a breathtaking, showstopping, earthshaking story to tell. If you haven’t already, I hope today marks the first day where you choose to be brave and tell it. 

One of the first things that popped in my mind as I was thinking about today was this excerpt from Idelette McVicker. I read it for the first time in one of my favorite books, Jesus Feminist, and I’ve prayed for it to be a creed of mine ever since. 

I hope it will inspire you today, alongside some of my favorite pictures that I’ve taken so far of women on the Race.

 

Let us be women who Love.

Let us be women willing to lay down our sword words, our sharp looks, our ignorant silence and towering stance and fill the earth now with extravagant Love.

Let us be women who make room.

Let us be women who open our arms and invite others into an honest, spacious, glorious embrace.

Let us be women who Love.

 

Let us be women who carry each other.

Let us be women who give from what we have.

Let us be women who leap to do the difficult things, the unexpected things and the necessary things.

Let us be women who live for Peace.

Let us be women who breathe Hope.

Let us be women who create beauty.

Let us be women who Love.

 

Let us be a sanctuary where God may dwell.

Let us be a garden for tender souls.

Let us be a table where others may feast on the goodness of God.

Let us be a womb for Life to grow.

Let us be women who Love.

 

Let us rise to the questions of our time.

Let us speak to the injustices in our world.

Let us move the mountains of fear and intimidation.

Let us shout down the walls that separate and divide.

Let us fill the earth with the fragrance of Love.

Let us be women who Love.

 

Let us listen for those who have been silenced.

Let us honour those who have been devalued.

Let us say, Enough! with abuse, abandonment, diminishing and hiding.

Let us not rest until every person is free and equal.

Let us be women who Love.

 

Let us be women who are savvy, smart and wise.

Let us be women who shine with the light of God in us.

Let us be women who take courage and sing the song in our hearts.

Let us be women who say, Yes to the beautiful, unique purpose seeded in our souls.

Let us be women who call out the song in another’s heart.

Let us be women who teach our children to do the same.

Let us be women who Love.

 

Let us be women who Love, in spite of fear.

Let us be women who Love, in spite of our stories.

Let us be women who Love loudly, beautifully, Divinely.

Let us be women who Love.

 

Dorcas, a sassy girl in my classroom in Ghana who reminded me quite a bit of myself at her age

 

Mary, a sweet girl who lived on the campus of our ministry in Ghana and was usually attached to my hip

 

A pastor’s wife in India who helps run an after-school program for children in poverty; it provides tutoring, activities, and sponsorships to keep children in school and to prevent them from falling into trafficking

 

Girls a part of the after-school program in India who liked to follow us to the pastor’s house where we stayed

 

Women in a bible study in India who attend churches with women pastors

 

A mother and daughter who are now thriving after removing themselves from an abusive and alcoholic husband/father

 

Woman in India making chapati

 

Woman fishing in a floating village in Cambodia

 

Girl in Thailand imagining what to draw for our station on Scout Day

 

Two sixth grade girls in Thailand on Scout Day; in Thailand, after sixth grade, education is no longer free and many students are expected to start working instead of continuing their education

 

A sweet girl in Thailand showcasing some of the joy and laughter I’ve experienced on this trip, too