History and Narrative Summary

Tumekutana, “We have come together”, began as a dream of a few people in PC(USA) who worked closely with the women’s leaders of partner churches in Africa. Though we had the privilege of visiting various countries and meeting the different women, seeing their work, hearing their joys and challenges, we realized that very few of these leaders themselves ever had the chance to do the same. The women often asked, “Are our Presbyterian sisters in other countries facing the same challenges? What are they doing to work against poverty? Does HIV/AIDS look the same in other countries? Are we the only ones suffering? Can you teach me something new that works in another country?” We also saw that women’s leaders are often isolated. They are the point person for women’s departments which work with and serve 100,000 to 2.5 million women, in some countries. They have huge demands placed on their shoulders, in the churches, in their families, and even from us as partners. And yet, where do they get encouragement, support, renewal and inspiration? Where do they find a kindred spirit? These realities, and a direct request for a gathering by African women who gathered at the Presbyterian Women’s Gathering, prompted the organization of Tumekutana.

In September 2006 the Africa Office of PC(USA) agreed that a women’s gathering should be organized for 2007. For this historic venture, Caryl Weinberg (a former mission co-worker and current Missions Director at FPC Evanston) was named coordinator. By enlisting the help of 3 African women’s leaders: Rev. Mrs. Bridget BenNaimah from the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana; Mme. Monique Misenga, from the Presbyterian Church of Kinshasa, DR Congo; and Mrs. Veronica Muchiri, from the Presbyterian Church of East Africa, the core planning team of Tumekutana was formed. This team, with the support of several others met in Nairobi, Kenya in November 2006 and again in July 2007 to establish and finalize the themes, speakers, schedule, and conference venue. Content of the workshops was determined by the planning team, but was also based on surveys, which were sent to each of the Women’s Departments of the PC(USA) partners in Africa, prior to the conference. The Rev. Janet Guyer and Debbie Braaksma (PCUSA mission co-workers in Southern Africa and Sudan) provided valuable support to this process through their gifts and abilities and experience working among African women.

 

It is important that the African women determined the theme, name, speakers and venue for the conference. They also determined the list of attendees for the conference: the Women’s Department leaders of each of the PC(USA) partners in Africa, plus at least one other woman, a pastor if possible, from a partner church in the country. Of eighteen countries identified with strong PC(USA) partnerships 16 were able to send representatives. (Equatorial Guinea did not respond to any correspondence; the women of Cameroon were not able to obtain visas in time.) We hosted 50 official participants, and several more Kenyan “informal” participants. The American women served as advisors, facilitators and support people. In limiting US visitors, each of the Africa Networks (8) were invited to send one representative; Ghana, Sudan and Congo Networks were represented. Other PC(USA) groups invited and represented were Presbyterian Women, and the PC(USA) Africa and International Health Ministries Offices (as sponsors, speakers, and facilitators). Several congregations had a key role in facilitating and sponsoring the conference and also sent volunteers. In all, 18 American women attended. [Please see the directory, for a complete listing of African and U.S. participants, on the enclosed disk. Surveys completed by each of the women, are also included on the disk. They are listed by country.]

 

 

The conference format was designed to provide information and facilitate honest discussion in a Christ centered atmosphere. Each day began with worship. The speakers, Dr. Mercy Amba Oduyoye and Dr. Agnes Aboum, provided insight and expertise on the issues African women face from the socio/cultural/spiritual context or the economic and political realities in which they live.Due to an emergency, Dr. Isabel Phiri was not able to speak. But her materials were presented by Dr. Oduyoye, and were well received by everyone. Workshops were practical and became the primary forum for sharing one another’s experiences. Site visits gave concrete examples of how to answer various common challenges. Meals served became a joyful time of getting to know each other personally. Every evening, “Tumekutana Time” helped one another relax and fellowship together. More details of the conference are further described in the cover letter. The program, conference testament, evaluations, and a letter of appreciation from the African Women also give a picture of the conference. These can be found on the enclosed disk and/or printed materials.

Conference Evaluations

Evaluations were very positive. The women described their highlights as being together as Presbyterian and Reformed women of Africa, (all PCUSA partners), many for them for the first time. They felt gratitude for PC(USA) and the organizers of Tumekutana for the support of women on their continent in this way. Their eyes were opened to their own plight and the gifts they were already using to engage the issues. They also understood even more deeply the “desperate needs” of women across Africa. Areas for change to be addressed in any subsequent conferences were very practical in nature:

1. The management of the wired funds and the reimbursements went well for the most part, but still had some particular local difficulties.
2. Communication with both English and French speaking constituencies continues to be difficult to overcome, both in the email communications or at the conference with simultaneous translators.

Simultaneous translation allowed every individual to participate fully — with the exceptions, to a certain extent, of the women from Sudan (primarily Arabic speakers beyond their mother tongue), and Mozambique (primarily Portuguese speaking). Though these 3 women struggled a bit, they were able to hear clearly, and participate fully in small groups — if timid in the larger group setting.

Recognizing God’s gracious provision of every resource, we wish to give thanks to God, and also to those who gave monetarily to Tumekutana. Funding for Tumekutana came from a variety of generous sources. Individual contributions totaled 38 % of all donations, a wonderful sign of God’s moving hearts on behalf of African Women. The remainder of donations came from individual churches, Presbyteries, and chapters of Presbyterian Women, the Medical Benevolence Foundation, the International Health Ministries Office (IHMO), Presbyterian Women awarded a Thank Offering Grant of the PC(USA), as well. The PC(USA) Africa and Finance offices of World Mission, and the IHMO also dedicated significant hours of time in administrative support. First Presbyterian Church, Evanston was particularly generous financially and comprised the volunteer base that God used to bring Tumekutana about. Thank you to every donor. Your support was critical to the conference’s success.

Reflections on Tumekutana 2007

Looking back at Tumekutana, prayer must be recognized as a key component of the planning and preparation, as well as the conference itself. A monthly prayer/email group was organized by Rev. Lynell Caudillo in Des Moines, WA from the time the conference was first imagined. As planning and publicity evolved, people around the US signed up to learn about and pray for specific countries, the partner churches in the countries, and eventually — as we learned their names — the women/participants from these countries. Groups were formed in local congregations both in the US and across Africa to pray for the conference. During the conference a prayer team was mobilized in the USA to pray specifically through the events of the day, for the speakers, issues, participants and other events. In Nairobi, on site, there was an active intercessory prayer group which gathered US participants and those African women who wished to join, to pray for the women, the speakers, workshops and events, as they happened, including specific concerns that arose during the week. God worked through those prayers, not only to accomplish what once seemed an insurmountable feat, but to assure each of us of God’s faithfulness, presence, sovereignty, and abounding love for each person involved, here and in Africa.

Tumekutana began as an event but has become a movement. Women who dreamed of knowing each other are now communicating by email, sharing ideas and prayers, and planning together for the future. Because of God’s abundant provision they will visit each other as well, and see first hand the ideas they shared during the conference. We are grateful for the opportunity to have been used by God, to help these amazing Presbyterian and Reformed Women’s leaders across Africa come together. We are grateful for the opportunity for individuals, congregations, Presbyteries, validated mission support groups of the PC(USA), and the different offices of the PC(USA) that also came together on behalf of these women. Ephesians 4:12,13 speaks of preparing “God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God…” May Tumekutana be evidence of that commission, lived out in the joyful expression of our common faith in Jesus Christ. By God’s grace, Tutakutana Tena ….we will meet again.” Thanks be to God!

Conference Testament | Conference Final Report