Mary Onyango and her family are members of a local church that has been leading community dialogues and gender-inclusive interventions in partnership with World Renew Tanzania. That has led to an evolution in the role of the church in Mary’s community. “People have been going to church to learn only to be saved and to stop sinning,” she says. “But it has come to the point that a Christian has to be different, has to take positive steps.”

One of the steps with the greatest impact in Mary’s community has been revisiting marriage and family roles, specifically the treatment of women and children. In one memorable intervention, the church held a “children’s party,” where kids were the first served. This was a radical change. “According to local traditions and customs, children and women should not be the first at all when items are being received,” Mary explains. “But because we are in the church, there should be changes. What does Jesus state about women? What does he state about children as family members? Our Lord Jesus valued theme and used them greatly.”

The result of these trainings? Remarkable change. Church members now see ideas like respecting girls and treating them fairly with new eyes. “When they are taught or empowered,” Mary says, “their minds are open up to see that everyone is created in the image of God.”

Prayers for East Africa:

• Please pray that our proposals for providing assistance will be well-received.
• Pray for security in some regions of Uganda and Kenya where tensions are high, particularly with elections coming up in Kenya.
• Pray for safe passage for our staff and partners as they travel to communities where World Renew is at work.