One of our last days of ministry, we were blessed with the opportunity to host a women's conference for high school age girls. The girls on our two teams planned the conference for two weeks. We had a vision that we really wanted these girls to learn their true identity in Christ and to let that knowledge transform them.
We talked to our host, Mary Mambo and shared our vision with her. She loved the idea and told us that the high school girls would be back from their boarding school for holiday within the week. She gave us a few hours that we could use the church and hold the conference. We would have liked more time, but we went with what we had!
We planned everything out, the girls of Day 3 went out and bought the materials for the craft we were going to be doing. The night before, we all sat around making bracelets to give to each of the girls (even Clark and Brian joined in to help!).
The day finally came; it was our second to last day of ministry. After a month of restlessness and feeling like we weren't having much of an impact, we were so happy to be doing something tangible!
the girls of Teams Tumbler and Day 3
We named the conference "Kabadilishwa na Yesu" which translates to "Transformed by Jesus." Our theme verse was Romans 12:2
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is– his good, pleasing and perfect will."
We broke it into three sections: Do not be conformed any longer, be transformed by the renewing of your mind, and then knowing God's will. Lashondra and Stephanie walked through their testimonies at each stage of the conference. Michelle served as moderator, introducing each section and summarizing at the end as well.
In between each section, we walked the girls through a craft to go along with the message. At the first stage, we asked them to write lies that people were telling them and they were believing. They then painted over it with one solid color, symbolizing that it those lies/sins are covered by the blood of Christ.
The final stage of the craft, we told them to listen to the Lord for a word. We played "The Father's Love Letter" for them to hear some truths from the Bible. We then tried to get them to write that word on their card. They didn't quite get the concept, but they enjoyed painting anyways…
My role in the conference was photographer, craft assistant, and graphic designer.
Below is a copy of the Father's Love Letter. It truly is powerful, and even more so when we hear it being read to you. They also gave this letter translated in several languages (I think like 60 or 70 different languages). We played it for the girls in Swahili, and gave them a copy of it to take home in the conference booklet we gave out.
We ended the conference singing our theme song, "Help Me Believe" by Donna Stuart. Below are the lyrics.
All that I've done and all that's been done to me
Drove nails through Your hands hard and fast to the tree
and the lies that I live and the shame in my story
You covered with blood for Your name and Your glory, Lord
Jesus help me believe
Jesus help me receive
This girl You've created You have redeemed
Lord help me believe this Lord help me receive
This daughter You rescued
You have washed her clean
So I raise outstretched arms with my knees to the earth
and I bow low my heart for in You is my worth
and I shout from this mountain great joy in my soul
Hallelujah King Jesus in You I am whole
And when I am tempted to believe something less
I run to Your Word… embracing forgiveness
Thank You for loving and thank You for healing me
One thing I've learned on the Race is how powerful it is to speak truth over yourself and others. I can't say that anything spectacular happened at the conference, but the girls were really listening and put a lot of thought into their questions during the question and answer panel. I pray that those girls would not forget what was spoken over them at that conference. I pray that they would remember that they are free from their past; their past doesn't define them and that they are set free and have the power to be transformed by Jesus if they let Him! And that's true for you, too!
The girls who made it out
