Day 8: Our Last Day at Amani Ya Juu

Today we started our day with a little bit of birthday surprise for Maggie, one of the key women here at Amani. To have met Maggie is to have met joy!

Zumba exercise! Janice, Jennifer, and Christian lead the women in dancing to Mandisa’s “Good Morning” and just had the best time! 

We then moved upstairs for our devotional time. Jennifer shared a bit of her faith journey; about how she had peace throughout many challenges in her life and about how we can go to God with our messes and he washes us clean! She ended the devotional by reading a script of encouraging truths from God's perspective.

Julia also shared a bit of truth that she was reminded of Tony Evans's definition of faith: “Acting like it is so, even though it’s not so so that it might be so, just because God said so!” Amen!

Once devotions were done, we moved into our final time to work on our peace projects.  Jennifer was able to finalize the chair reupholstery with the help of the talented Stella.

Janice and Christian worked on possible new marketing techniques with Bella.  Below is a screenshot of Bella in the middle of showcasing one a pair of the oven mitts they make.

The rest of the crew met with Becky and worked as a think tank on future marketing endeavors that can help get the word out about Amani Ya Juu.  We then broke for lunch and proceeded to the closing session of our time here.  What a sweet, sweet time! 

Jennifer presenting the completed chair with the "surprise" matching pillow with the Amani logo.

Becky LOVED it! 

Becky and Julia receiving a very special gift for Amani.  This cross was donated by a special family close to Melanie's heart.

Melanie presenting the gift.

The Amani women selecting scarves.  Melanie shared a very special message about the covering of God over these women's lives.  It was an impacting message that I think will leave a lasting mark on the lives of the women here. 

Becky sharing a short encouragement with the group.  It was truly inspiring and wonderful to see how God has pulled everything together for such a time as this.

One final photo.  Memories made for a lifetime!

For now, our time at Amani is over but as they encouraged us to say, it is not a "goodbye," but a "see you later!"  Thank you for journeying with us!  We have been so thankful for your prayers! They sustained us through the beginning tiredness of jetlag and the simple day-to-day projects, sessions, and activities.  Tomorrow we have a day to see the city a bit and rest.