In our society, many women earn a minimal income. For others, it is non-existent. Meager earnings are especially true for rural women who practice subsistent farming, raising small ruminants such as sheep, goats and poultry. These women are brave. Their daily life is consumed by maintaining the household, preparing food, fetching wood, laundering clothes, and caring for their children, husbands and extended family members. Rural women are the engines of the sustainable development of their families. The entire responsibility of the family rests on them.
As I work with the people of Manicoura, I have been blessed with the responsibility and privilege of helping rural women. One woman asked me for help in developing a few sources of income. She belongs to an association of about thirty women. Every Tuesday morning, they meet with their leader. Each takes a small amount of money, which they will give to one or two people in their group who are in a financial emergency, helping to meet their needs.
Through its evangelization plan, the Malinke project decided to assist in these women’s lives by setting up a soap-making program. Soap making can become a source of income for them. As we work with these women, our greatest goal is to demonstrate the love of Christ towards them. Before each work session begins, we pray with them, share biblical stories, and ask for prayer requests at the end of the session. Let us continue to pray for them. If we win the women, we may win whole families for the Lord.
