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Have you ever had the thrill of living your dream...of stopping at some point during the day and saying to yourself..."right now, at this moment,; this is what I have been dreaming, praying about and planning for years". This was my experience after I arrived in Antalya, Turkey with my US ministry team in May, 2012. I unpacked my bags in the lovely resort that was to be our home  for a week, and readied myself to launch our first ever Institute in the Arab world. Then I went to meet the 20 women that had come from five different Arab countries. They had all set aside a week at great personal cost for training and relationship building. The Global Training Institute for Women, a three-year leadership training program, was designed for just such a purpose: to equip women both here and abroad with the truths of their biblical identity, value and kingdom purpose: and do so in the context of relationship. And God met us there in a mighty way!
We had a wonderful time in Turkey! My prayers were answered tenfold as I saw the women who came, open their hearts as we share d the love and wisdom of God. They were so thankful to us (and those who prayed and provided resources) that they were often moved to tears. I still continue to get notes of gratitude.
(one of our many teaching sessions)
Lord willing, from this point on we are going to travel to Turkey to meet with this group of women twice a year for three years. We have developed a curriculum program that we will teach over the course of this time to the same group of women...thereby providing an educational experience that is relational and deep. The attendees, excited about returning, come from Egypt, Iraq, Israel, the West Bank and Jordan, even one from Sweden. (The woman is a Muslim background believer from Israel. She had to move for safety reasons.) Though our attendees are Arab nationals, they are able to read and write in English. And they are already turning in "homework"!
After this three year program, we hope to continue with a new group of 20 women.
Here are just a few comments from some of the women who attended:
Amal (Egypt) - When I first came I was just fearful- everyone was hugging and kissing and I thought you all knew each other. Then I realized you didn't know everyone, you were just being welcoming! I am still fearful and amazed by what you did today {we held a foot washing ceremony}. I don't know if I can do it too. But with God's strength I can. I also learned how to listen and encourage. I have so much love from everyone; I don't know what to do with it!
Mira (Sweden) - I was really dry and empty before coming. Feel now my emptiness is gone. I have felt loved and cared for.
Inas (Jerusalem) - On my way here I thought I wouldn't come back or understand. {She is just learning English}. On the first night I understood everything. Each hug from everyone was from God.
Magda (Egypt) - The only thing that I am sure about is that I'm not here by accident.
Salma (Egypt) - I didn't want to just come for fun, I really wanted to come to learn. I am going to talk a lot about this conference and teach it others.
Adele (Jordan) - I knew that they knew our weaknesses, but they only looked at our strengths. I learned one thing from the Lord- Not to condemn someone else for their weakness.
Seven women besides myself comprised the American team, helping me with logistics, teaching, worship and prayer. And a wonderful team it was: Mary Malouf, Deb Pirtle, Nancy Hann, Simone Lake, Janelle Wood, Stephanie Myers and a new friend, Majda Ayoub, a Jordanian living in Peoria, AZ. Five local Arizona churches are represented in this team. And we are all ready to go back...as God provides.
Your continued prayers and support in fulfilling this God-sized undertaking is deeply appreciated! I wish I could take every one of you with me on this ministry trip. And I can't wait to go back and be with my new sisters!
Love,
Kristin
Executive Director
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