Walls of Shame Broken Down
Shelter prayer for victims
This morning, March 8th, the team of Watermark women began the Shelter from the Storm conference in Goma, Congo. Each of member of the team who has been affected by sexual violence told her story to the group of victims/counselors invited by our partner in Africa, ALARM (African Leadership and Reconciliation Ministry). The resulting response was incredible as the women of Goma began publicily sharing their own stories of rape and sexual violence. Most of these stories had been concealed for many years. There were many, many tears and many, many prayers. Walls of shame were broken down in this first stage of the conference as the women from Congo realized that there are women from America who suffer as victims of the same types of abuse that they do in Congo. To use a Wagnerism, they understood they are not “terminally unique.” We can’t wait to see what God has in store on day two and three with the Shelter conference and the lawyers conference that begins tomorrow. /rick
2 responses so far
Praying for you all and the beautiful work you are doing in Goma in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I was blessed to receive an e-mail update about your trip earlier today and LOVE the chance to see a photo from the trip before you’ve even come home. My heart is full as I think of all that God has done in your lives — those who are ministering to the hurting — and I pray that your presence gives hope to those who’ve had none. May God receive ALL the glory for your work there. Love you all!!
Praise God ya’ll! Keep up the great work. We are in constant prayer for you all and all those affected by this. God is in control!