Pray for Kenya!

Kibera Slum outside of Nairobi

WOGA (known as PACWA in Africa) works closely with those suffering in the slums of Kenya. They work with both AIDS widows and AIDS orphans in Kibera, Africa's second largest slum. A million people make their homes here and it is one of the areas where rioting is the worst as a result of the current political crisis facing Kenya.

Below is a request for prayer from Judy Mbugua, Director of PACWA:

"We really need to pray. The country is being divided in the middle. I am reminded of the story in 1 Kings 4:16-28. Just like the lady in this story was ready to give up her son, so that he could live; our earnest prayer is that we may have the real leader arise, give up power and personal ambition before we as a country are divided in the middle. Only God will cause such a thing to happen. We really need divine intervention!

Please pray specifically for the church, the divisions in the church and for the truth to come out in a way that would not disrupt peace and for tribal animosity to die in the name of Jesus!

Because of the numbers of the displaced people, we need supplies to be able to help them."

If you would like to send support that will be used to help those who are displaced in Kenya, contact Global Action at: www.global_act.org.

WOGA Houston Up & Running

Bea Balbuena and Missy Barron - WOGA Houston Organizers

WOGA Houston had a great first gathering last night. 18 women gathered to learn about WOGA, to pray for the situation in Kenya and to consider their future involvement in this blossoming chapter.

They met in a local restaurant which opened its doors to them for the evening. Even the waiters got involved as one of them, watching the preparations, offered to drive home to get a black cloth for them to use as a backdrop for a video they were showing. One woman shared about a local ministry she was starting up and connections among the women began to develop as they stayed after the meeting to get to know each other better.

A leader from one of the local churches was present and invited Bea and Missy to share more about WOGA and the March visit of Peace Nihorimbere (WOGA Leader for Rwanda and Burundi) at their upcoming women's retreat. Very encouraging!

We rejoice with you on a great beginning, WOGA Houston!

First WOGA Chapter Meetings of 2008 in Houston and Canada

Pray for our sisters in Houston, Florida and Canada as they hold their first meetings for 2008. Cathy Schmidt is leading the first Pinellas (Florida) meeting on January 10, Missy Barron and Bea Balbuena will lead the first meeting ever for WOGA: Houston on January 21 and Barbara Prefontaine will lead WOGA Canada's first meeting of 2008 on January 16th (they are a new chapter - began in the final months of 2007). Pray for them!

WOGA Members Going Global!

WOGA: LA member, Laurie Ishii, heads to Thailand and Cambodia this Sunday. For more details, see sidebar.

Connecting Women Across Los Angeles

Lori Fox, Rhonda Waller-Bautista and Kathlee Roscoe at the first Thread Foundation Event in 9/07

"In July I stumbled upon a flier about WOGA and decided to attend the meeting. I was so excited to have found people with a similar heart and passion as myself. One such person was Rhonda Waller-Bautista. I am currently a student at FIDM (The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising) so Cheryl was quick to point me in Rhonda's (fashionable) direction. I am so thankful for this! Since that time I have connected with Rhonda and have had the privilege of working with her for the Thread Foundation. She is such an inspiration to me and filled with love and vision. Thank you WOGA for introducing us!" (Written by Lori Fox)