Women in the Word

 “Three is a start,” we thought. 

About a year and a half ago we ran an Easter kids’ club and on the final day, the parents could put their names on a sign-up sheet if they were interested in a bible study. There were probably about ten moms who signed up. Not long after, we contacted all the moms via a WhatsApp group, informing them of the time and place of the bible study if they wished to attend.  

In the end, three ladies showed up for the first study and attended more or less consistently for the next couple of months. They seemed eager to know more about the bible and it was exciting to hear their questions and be able to point them to the Scriptures for answers. 

But it was short-lived. We went on furlough that summer and upon returning we tried to get the bible study going again. Annemarie communicated with the ladies to set a time and date, and it seemed we’d be able to pick up where we left off. The day of the study Annemarie prepared the books, the coffee, and the pastries, and then sat in the living room waiting for them to show up.

They never did. Not the following week either. None of them actually communicated that they couldn’t make it, they just never showed up. When we saw them around town, they politely waved but it seemed like they were avoiding us. 

Only later on did we realize that at least one of the ladies had probably stopped coming due to family/community pressure – she had also stopped bringing her two sons to our Bible school. Instead, she started bringing them to catechism classes at the Roman Catholic church. Another lady in the group had started attending another church elsewhere. What had started well had seemingly resulted in nothing. 

Not too long after Annemarie decided to try to start up the bible study again as there were a few ladies who seemed to be interested. In the end, it was the same result: sitting in the living room waiting for people who didn’t show up. 

We tried for a third time to start the bible study when a neighbour lady expressed interest. She said she was going to come but never did. This happened a few times. Again, it was hard to discern whether she was genuinely interested or just being polite. 

Fast forward a few months and we came into contact with another church not far from our community. Some of the members were eager to help us out and one of their ideas was to assist with the bible study. They would provide some of the material and a group of 5-8 ladies would commit to coming. In this way, we could have the bible study regardless if any ladies from the community came, and if they did come, it would feel more welcoming to have a group of ladies already present. 

The first study included a breakfast which helped to attract a few more ladies. We were pleasantly surprised by the large group that came and while not all have continued to attend, a good number have. 

And so, after some false starts and hard moments, we have a ladies’ bible study. They are studying the different attributes of God; learning more about who He is and having their preconceived notions corrected by the Word of God. Some of the ladies have been Christians for years, others are new in the faith, and still others are trying to figure out what they believe. Some of them we have known for years, others only for a short time. 

We are praying that the ladies who attend would continue to be blessed by the study, that they would continue coming, and that more ladies would come and meet the Living God through the study of His Word.