Women at the Forefront

Just like the labyrinth helps guide those who use it for prayer, so Mama G helps guide those looking for a purpose, looking for hope – looking for a mama.

to walk it. They also sewed labyrinths to be used with one’s finger. Mama G continues sewing them for students. For many who come to the Centre of Hope, they do not know where to begin, but just like the labyrinth helps guide those who use it for prayer, so Mama G helps guide those looking for a purpose, looking for hope – looking for a mama. Trisha Miller Manarin is executive coordinator of the Mid- Atlantic Cooperative Baptist Fellowship in the United States.

Left: Refugee women in Uganda create a prayer labyrinth

u She welcomes students into the community; she nurtures

them, loves them and treats them like her own. A young refugee came to the center not too long after Mama G’s arrival. Mama G took her under her wing, like a mother hen to her chicks, and has treated the young student and her siblings as if they are her own family. She paid fees for her young friend to attend training. She continues to mentor her. This mentee has now become a co- teacher who teaches the beginner level students. All the while, Mama G’s husband remains in South Sudan. It is there where he works, offering his best to cover rent and school fees for the many children living with his beloved wife in Kampala, Uganda. She, too, is giving her best to provide for their children.

Lives are being transformed as the love of God shines through

Mama G’s smile, enthusiasm and love of life. Her magnetic personality has opened doors for other refugees to learn English, to be trained in new skills and, most of all, to experience the Good News. In recent days, she has also assisted at the women’s safe shelter. Mama G is often a cheerleader for these vulnerable and traumatized women.

She mothers those who have lost parents, siblings and even

spouses or children. Her warm embrace, yet firm ability to speak the truth and help point the way for those who have lost all sense of direction, has guided students and given hope when all was taken from them. She says of the younger students at the center, “it is difficult to be in the middle of older people. I want to be near them, and help them while they are still young.” Mama G’s message for the world is, “let us love each other, to be with each other, to respect the younger ones, give them love, to help with anything we have – even if we don’t have it to give – not only by money, but words, prayers.”

In 2015, Mama G and others in the sewing class were

introduced to the prayer labyrinth. They created a labyrinth with materials found on the compound of the center, allowing them

10 BAPTIST WORLD MAGAZINE

BETH WILLETTS: Heeding the Call

jockeys “cut their teeth” on their own horse before working at a racing stable and making their way up through the ranks of the jockey world to qualify for the honor of being a Grand National jockey. So, with this said, the reality was my dream would never be a reality. Why do I share this with you?

A

t age 14 my dream was to be the first female jockey to ride in the Grand National. However, there was a slight problem with this dream. I did not have a horse! Most