Simple to Complex

 

In October, Christine and I felt led to start a woman's club, the Chimwemwe (happiness) Ladies Club.  It seemed a simple, good idea.  We would gather women together, teach them new skills/crafts, sell the crafts, have Bible study, and encourage one another.  It has been just that until a couple of weeks ago.  A group of ladies from one of the villages wanted to join.  At first we thought about 4-5 women.  There are many more who want to come, so our numbers have almost doubled.  With it has come the challenges created in a culture where jealousy is a huge part of how people think, feel, and act.  The old group has been afraid that they will be left out, that I will turn my allegiance to the new folks, that the new people will just want to destroy what we are about.  The last 2 meetings have been anything but a meeting of happy ladies. 

 

It doesn't discourage me because I believe that the challenges of working through this will provide teaching and acting out to the women of what it means to operate without the jealousy.  But it isn't what I expected at all.  I said to Christine on Wednesday, "You didn't tell me it would be so hard!"