Women's Bible Study

For the last couple of weeks fellow intern Tessa and I have been hosting a women’s Bible study at the Koro site for Hope Alive! alumnae as well as other women in the community. We noticed the need for a program like this when we were in the community visiting people in their homes and realized many of the older girls and women did not have the opportunity for community throughout the week. We also noticed how many of those same women do not often participate in churches that are doctrinally sound. After expressing this need to Hope Alive’s leadership, we started inviting and meeting with these women every Monday afternoon. As much as we are dedicated as an organization to supporting children, it is also important that we support the community that those children are growing up in. For most women in northern Uganda, their value is determined by whether they can have children and how many children they have. So, the focus of our study became identity in Christ. We wanted to show the women directly from God’s word how much they are loved and valued by the Father. 

Usually, when someone hosts an event, especially around mealtime, food is expected to be provided. However, we wanted to make sure that the women were coming for fellowship and for the Word rather than for food; so, we have only been providing water. We begin with prayer and proceed to teach from the Bible for the two hours following. We have truly seen God’s faithfulness at work. The women have been coming back consistently. Most live far out in the bush so for them to return every week has been a great blessing. The ladies have grown more comfortable, asking questions and sharing what they believe to be true about God and the world around them. Since it is hosted at the Koro site, they have a safe place to bring their children while they engage in Bible study. This has also encouraged attendance. Even when we finish our internships and return to the States, they will continue meeting, building community with one another and deepening their relationship with God. If Hope Alive! can continue to support not only children but the surrounding community, then more seeds will be planted and larger harvests will come even after those who followed God’s voice to start this ministry have long faded away.