Women, Art and a God of Unity - Reflections for the jungle women's conference

Sometimes when you are planning things, you are not really sure exactly what you are meant to be doing.  You have a vague idea and a vague plan, but honestly, you are not sure where God is in it all and whether it is just your own desire leading the way, and you are still waiting for a lot of confirmation.  

Doing this conference was not one of those times. From the outset, the whole thing was God led.  Back in March, one of the ladies had asked me when I would come back to the jungle and teach the women. I reluctantly told her I would pray about it.  She also asked if I could teach them some new jewelry or craft skills, and although I am creative and could probably come up with something, I didn't feel particularly inspired.  

Then I thought of Jane.  Jane Savaas stayed with us last year and did various workshops reaching out to women and children using art and crafts.  It made sense to work with her and do a conference for the women! 

Our crazy team (All from Oikos Lima, except Jane)

It was the first time I had left the boys for more than a night and initially I was very apprehensive about leaving them with Mark (not because I don't think he is capable - he is a very hands-on Dad, but rather because having had him away so much in the last year, I know how hard it is!).  I was also apprehensive being away from Mark in a situation that I knew would be challenging spiritually and lacking confidence in myself as a leader without Mark at my side. 

This was one of the best teams I have ever been on or led.  It helps a lot that we all know each other well as we were able to look out for one another, but also seeing everyone stepping into their individual giftings and roles on the team and working together was amazing! Seeing people who didn't know a year ago how to hear God's voice sharing the dreams, visions and things God had put on their hearts during prayer was incredible and the insight that God gave which we were able to use to pray effectively was so encouraging.  It really felt like Psalm 133 was being lived out: 

How wonderful and pleasant it is
    when brothers live together in harmony!...   
And there the Lord has pronounced his blessing,
    even life everlasting.

The week was not without attacks - Daniel came out in a horrible itchy rash a few days before we left, many of us had nightmares, threatening stomach upsets and faced much discouragement the week before we left and during the week itself.  The jungle is full of witchcraft and you can feel the hostility of the spiritual darkness there.  Personally, in the past I have struggled a lot with depression and discouragement in the jungle so we prayer specifically about those things and saw victory! It did not feel like those things held us back at all - we identified them as attacks, prayed and saw victory! 

Boiled plantains for lunch

Time in the Shipibo village for the conference was not actually as dramatic externally as I was perhaps expecting (especially with all the spiritual attacks going on!).  The women are very shy and reluctant to share what God is doing in their lives as they live under a lot of fear of one another. 

That said, I really felt that this week was about planting seeds in the lives, and even since returning to Lima I have heard testimonies of things God was doing in their lives. I think that the women need time to process the things we shared with them and we will see the fruit in visits to come.  

It was the same with the art initially. The first day Jane explained to them what they would be doing and gave them all a piece of paper to draw out their design.  My group looked at each other awkwardly and shifted the pencil around in their fingers.  They asked several times what they should do, and looked to me to perhaps draw for them.  But I didn't.  I just waited and encouraged and gave them a few ideas.  Slowly, over the next ten minutes or so, the began to draw. One, then another, and as the inspiration began to flow they began to physically relax and laugh and enjoy themselves.  As they began painting their designs, their faces came to life like the colors on their paper! Some of the women had never painted before and as the day drew to an end, the sense of satisfaction and amazement at what they could do was tangible. 

Saida, one of our Oikos Lima students, with some of the women

The conference lasted three days and the first two days were showing them painting and sewing techniques (they nearly all know how to sew as their main form of income is through embroidered goods.)  The final day they used the panels they had made to make up a 'jungle journal'.  Jane was keen to not only give them new skills, but show them how to make new crafts that they could sell which would be unique but also wouldn't be so time-consuming to make. The final results were stunning and the women couldn't stop smiling! Seeing these quiet, reserved women laughing and smiling and so encouraged at the new skills they had learned was priceless.  At the end of the time we prayed for the women and they all kept asking us when we would be doing another conference.  The mix of short talks, worship, prayer and craft was so refreshing and the women were clearly leaving so much lighter than they had entered.  Although time consuming regarding the preparation, and obviously requiring a budget, doing these creative conferences is a really powerful way to reach out to these women - meeting them where they are at, but empowering them to go further in their walks with God and in life.  

The women at the end of the first day with their painted panels.

Finished journals!

 Mark and I and the boys, along with Shaun, Amanda, their son Judah and Gabriel, one of our Oikos Students are planning on spending the coming month in the jungle. I am really looking forward to spending more time with the women and seeing the things they have been taught begin to grow in their lives.  Our main focus during the coming month is to spend time with the leaders - Shaun teaching them financial management skills and Mark, Amanda and I teaching and encouraging the leaders in their personal walks with God.  It is going to be a powerful time, but we would really appreciate your prayers for wisdom, protection, provision and unity for the jungle team.