Our family made the long awaited 45-minute drive into down
town Nairobi on Monday morning to visit Amani ya Juu. The name of this organization means, “peace
from above,” which fit the atmosphere of this community perfectly. Surrounded on all sides by banks, various
construction sites, and clothing stores, this compound provides a haven for
women of all races and from all over the world who have endured suffering at
some point in their lives.
Aunt Becky led us to the top floor of the compound’s brand
new 3 story building where over a dozen women were bent over their singer
sowing machines and hard at work. We
were greeted with loving smiles, and a welcome song. Women from Uganda, Burundi, Liberia, Sudan,
and Kenya introduced themselves around the room. I was taken aback by Amani’s history.
When Aunt Becky and Uncle Del fled Liberia during the civil
war, they found refuge in Nairobi, Kenya.
Uncle Del began teaching Bible courses at Daystar University, while Aunt
Becky began to fulfill the ministry that God had laid so heavily on her
heart. She realized long ago that women
much like her had fled their countries due to various hardships they could no
longer endure. Many of them had lost
their loved ones and suffered greatly at the hands of their own people.
Amani ya Juu was designed to provide employment and training
for women that couldn’t provide for themselves.
It began with just a handful of women in a small garage, who were taught
how to sew together pot holders, handbags, quilts, batiks, and many more house
hold items made from beautiful African material. Their designs were more unique than anything
I’ve found in stores before, and the story behind Amani’s creations struck my
heart. Aunt Becky not only found a way
to provide women with jobs and skills that would enable them to sustain
themselves. God gave them a sense of
purpose through this ministry.
I realized on Monday that Amani is so much more than a
business; a money-maker. These women
have a Bible study every morning and discuss the Gospel message together before
they even begin to cut their material in the distribution center. Amani has also found a way to inspire and
involve women in the United States. In
every room we were taken into, there was at least one American “intern” there,
photographing unique designs, sipping chai while observing the intricate work,
or helping the refugees as they screen printed t shirts.
This ministry has united cultures across the globe,
revealing God’s love and reminding others of His great peace and providence. Amani is sort of like therapy for the lost –
each day a session where God slowly heals each bruised heart.
-Ashley
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