It is hard to believe it is already April of '08! Where has the time gone?
Some news on the DC Amani front is that we are now actively planning for the Amani Center in DC! This is a huge step, for a dream that was birthed in 2005. After years of praying, planning, and PRAYING the Lord has begun to give us the first steps and open doors.
You are probably wondering what a DC Center will look like. The desire is to see a boutique and cafe that functions as a sustainable business in the city, and a training program for marginalized women in the district to have a constructive and safe environment to gain life skills in resume building, office, cafe, and boutique work. It will function as a stepping stone for women who have been struggling, and to be given a second chance, and to ultimately bring the Lord's peace to women and families in our own city who need Him, as well as we do. That is the brief synopsis...
In about two weeks Becky Chinchen and her husband will be traveling from Liberia, and we will have the pleasure of meeting with them over the DC plans. It is rare that our offices can meet in person. So we are very excited about this time together.
You'll notice I am saying "we" in reference to the DC office. I have the pleasure of introducing both Debbie as well as Brittany as new Amani staff. Debbie has been working as our Amani US Volunteer Coordinator, and has been doing a fabulous job at scheduling and communicating with the vast amount of Amani volunteers throughout the country who are conducting Amani gatherings and sales in their homes. It is such fun working with Debbie, and seeing her gifts in communication and heart for ministry impact the women she is in consistent communication with.And Brittany, this has been a long time coming, but Brittany has decided to come on as a full time missionary to help lay the foundation for the DC Amani Center. Once at a full time capacity, Brittany will be involved with a location search for the Center and planning for our ministry program. Please pray for Brittany as she begins this new phase of life as a missionary, both emotionally, spiritually and physically as she begins to raise support.
I will be working alongside both Debbie and Brittany, as well as working in a broader capacity as the US Country Director. It is wonderful to see our US office grow and to be able to work alongside such wonderful women!
A few highlights coming up this year that I ask your prayers for, are the Immanuel Bible Church Women's Tea that I will be speaking at. Amani will also have a market place set up which Debbie is taking charge of, but this time I have been asked to share my story of the Lord's work in my life these past few years with Amani. This is definitely a stretching and challenging request, as I am not crazy about public speaking, but the Lord has used this opportunity as well as the planning meetings with Patricia Croll, Bethany Drum, and Ammani Nagesh to be true moments of spiritual encouragement and growth. The support from Patricia and Bethany, and the collaboration with Ammani, who has a wonderful testimony of the Lord's redemptive work in her life, has been a true blessing. The Tea is on May 18th. Please pray for personal peace the day of, and that the event will be a blessing to the Immanuel community. If you are interested in going to the tea, please contact Immanuel Bible Church's Women's ministry, www.immanuelbible.net/family/women/coffee.php. The tickets are on sale now.
Then this Fall, Sankofa is coming to the US!! Sankofa is the fashion show outreach which happened last year in Nairobi. It was such a success, and the clothes in such demand, that Amani has decided to bring it to the US and tour through 4 states, including DC. The event will be Nov 1st in DC! Details to come!
I pray each of you are well. Thank you for your support and encouragement. It is amazing to see where the Lord has taken us, together, these past few years.
In His service,
Rachel
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