What's WOP?

WOP is not a derogatory term as has been suggested by some!  It stands for 

WOMEN OF PURPOSE, and there’s not a woman I’ve met in Africa that doesn’t like the term.  I have been AMAZED!

Recently I heard from Pastor Fred Wakula from DRC.  He came to Rwanda to meet us and heard about WOP there.  Here is the email that he sent to me.

November 9, 2011

Hello,         my dearest and faithful Sister and friend of mine , Sister Val , it is a great joy for me to know that you have arrived safely in your land. All glory be to Him!         Thank you so very much for this wonderful saying in your message that : We want women of purpose all over the world.  Pray that in Jackson women want to form chapters to pray for women in Congo.    Thank you so much , I will let the women in my Church to know this and be praying for this , for it is a great joy for the women in Jackson to be in touch with the women in DR Congo. Praise His holy name!         Please, all the photos that you sent me in attachment did not opened , please , can you resend them again? For I , my wife , family and the Church will be glad to see them. And I , will send you our photos soon.         Pass my love  to all in your family and tell them that I love them and am praying for them and also pass my love to Sarah.         Truly your Brother and friend in the Lord , Pastor Fred W. Wakula P.S  THE NEXT DAY, HE WROTE THIS

this morning I told the women in my Church that you are looking to form and a strong team of women from your Town that will be praying for the women of the DR Congo , surely they all were very much blessed and they had a short time for praying for you and this effort.

There are 2 components of WOP:  FOCUS and FLEXIBILITY

1. focus- Each chapter that registers with EAFC has this in common, that they are focusing on restoring to women the DIGNITY to which they were created.
2. flexibility-  Each chapter, and there can be MANY in any one country, names their own chapter.  Their approach to the subject of dignity can be extremely varied!  Some are teaching women economic skills.  Some of them are Bible studies, focusing on what God has to say about women’s self respect.  Some meet to pray for other women.  Some are raising up young girls to have dreams.  Some work in slums.  GET THE POINT?  There is no set structure or rules.

EXPLORATORY SESSIONS IN KENYA

First exploratory meeting

Rosemary told her story

Caroline listened to the others

Then Faith

Now, why has EAFC created these?  EAFC has had a goal to analyze what has gone on and to listen to those in Africa who have ideas.  Women in Africa have in the past been very UNDER represented in terms of the number of applications submitted, and whenever we talk to women the topic of problems unique to women seems to come up regularly.

Then we talked with Francine in Rwanda who already has a group of girls she teaches who gather after school every Thursday.  She wants to “register” her group.

Anna works in public health.  the idea of WOP was very appealing to her.  

Sarah, Yvette,  and Lydie also thought it could work in Rwanda.

Back in Kenya we met with EAFC alumni.  Three of these women already work in 3 different Nairobi slums.  They are excited about brainstorming together, creating sister WOP chapters and then getting together either quarterly or twice a year to learn from one another.

WILL I EVER GET THIS POSTED?  SINCE I STARTED IT, THIS IS THE THIRD EMAIL I HAVE GOTTEN FROM AFRICA REGARDING THIS EFFORT, AND THIS ONE RELATES A MAN CALLING HIM BEING EXCITED. (Joe and Caroline Mbuvi is the couple who have assumed the role of coordinator of EAFC efforts in and around Nairobi.)

Joseph, on right is EAFC's Kenyan Country Coordinator. Here he greets Pastor Bosco

Val, 

After  Caroline and I shared the idea of WOP to an EAFC alumnus on Friday last week, he seemed very enthusiastic about it.  This afternoon, he called me to let me know that he convenvened a meeting of 23 needy women from his church who are willing to do something about their situation if shown how to go about it. My family and I have ministered twice in that church. The four-year old church is located in the outskirts of Machakos town, about 38 miles south-east of Nairobi.  He was wondering when my wife and I can go and meet with the women! 

Joe