Session 1 - Maasai WLTI

A US Rise Up team joined our Kenyan field partners to kick off the start of the 3-year WLTI (Women’s Leadership Training Initiative). This time we are serving alongside 55 Maasai women who have been identified as key church and community leaders. Women continued arriving throughout the morning after walking many miles and hours to gather. It is truly humbling to be in the presence of these strong and resilient women as we facilitated Meeting God in the Bible.

On our very first day, we outgrew the classroom and had to relocate to the church. As word spread in the surrounding area, new women came each day. It was so evident these women were hungry to learn. They quickly enjoyed tea and then returned to the church to hear more. Their eagerness to learn was contagious.

So many women expressed their thanks since they had not had the opportunity for any formal education or training. Watching women who could read and write help their sisters follow along was inspiring. We loved watching the relationships among the women begin to grow because we know that this work is deeply rooted in relationships and built on trust!

One of the teachings focused on Psalm 139:1-18. We read the Psalm slowly in a posture of contemplative prayer, reading a verse and then pausing for the women to pray and connect with God. Tears streamed down a few women's faces as quiet sobs flowed from within.

As our week with these Maasai leaders came to a close, it was evident that the WLTI program will be highly impactful throughout this community. We can’t wait to see how the upcoming sessions unfold and how these leaders are empowered and equipped as community and church leaders.

Check out a highlight video from our week with this Maasai community!