I have come to believe that women who follow Jesus thrive in adversity. Believing women are blooming all around us like desert wildflowers, often unnoticed. I happened to discover some wild-flowering women when I least expected to! They helped me to understand the hunger of women for Jesus, and how that hunger fuels their growth, joy and endurance. The story of a group of refugee women in a camp in Tanzania is part of the origin story of this ministry!

Can you tell I love wildflowers? Happily, I live in a place where there are many. Southwestern Australia is a renowned biodiversity hotspot with an astonishing variety of wildflowers, including some varieties of rare orchid that can crop up unexpectedly in the bush. Botanical enthusiasts look forward to sighting these unique blooms and know exactly when and where to look for them. I’m not a botanist…my approach is usually wandering through the bush saying “Ooh! Ah!” However, I can recognise something special when I see it. The best wildflowers are the ones you find when you least expect it. Finding Christian women who are following Jesus with all their hearts can happen where you least expect it too!

A Life-changing Connection

Some very special wildflower women entered my world in 2020. I met Pastor Emile Muzusangabo at a ministry meet up Zoom call, and he invited me to speak remotely to the Congolese refugee women in his care at Nyaragusu Camp, Tanzania. I immediately agreed, I was excited to connect with these ladies. Then, doubt and uncertainty set in! What could I possibly have to say that would be any use to this unique and special group of women?

Pastor Emile explained that the women, together with their families, had escaped violent conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Some had been in the camp for many years. They have children born in the camp. Many have been traumatised by the devastating events in their own country, and enroute to the camp. They have no immediate prospect of returning to their homes in DRC. Conditions in the camp are also very challenging, with food limits and crowding. Again, what could I say that would be of any help? To add to the complexity, my words would have to be translated, sentence by sentence. It would take a powerful and clear message to cut through the obstacles and make a difference. Then, suddenly I had clarity: I would share one of the gospel messages that has transformed my own life.

Communicating the Gospel for Women

That vital message was about the Samaritan Woman in John 3. The Samaritan woman’s encounter with Jesus affected her so much that she instantly became his ardent follower. In my experience, understanding the depths of this message helps women to know Jesus more than any other. Their eyes are opened to see that Jesus put a major priority on healing and blessing women.

So I went ahead and prepared my notes. Staying up late to meet with them in their time zone, it was such a joy to get to know my friends in Nyaragusu, and to hear their singing (though I couldn’t understand the Swahili!) Then the message…I could see they enjoyed it…their enthusiasm for the Lord was so inspiring for me.

And that wasn’t the end…these Congolese lady refugees wanted to hear more about how women can follow Jesus. I was invited back, and so, next I told them about the other amazing gospel story that changed my life. I told them about the women of the gospels who followed Jesus up from Galilee because he healed them. These women had followed Jesus all the way to the cross, and beyond. They were so grateful to Jesus, they risked everything for him. The women of Nyaragusu welcomed this message even more eagerly.

After a while Pastor Emile told me the women had decided to establish groups. They wanted to call their groups “Women Who Follow Jesus to the Cross”. They wanted some guidance as they went along so I developed a training for them over the course of the year called Seven Petals Discipleship . The program was a discipleship training designed to help women begin to lead groups, to evangelise and be missional.

Women Who Follow Jesus to the Cross

I learned a lot about how women can thrive in adversity from these dear ladies in Nyaragusu refugee camp. They are following Jesus with all their hearts, with enthusiasm and joy, even though their lives are difficult every day. It changed things for me to know that flourishing is not about having perfect conditions. However, I know that with support these women and others who follow Jesus can go even further. That is why I have continued creating materials and resources to equip Christian women.

Can you see how the gospel has the power to release women, no matter their circumstances? Women followers of Jesus can become women leaders to Jesus. We can become women who thrive, no matter what adversity we face. We can resist obstacles, and fulfil our precious calling.

Would you like to find out more about the message I gave to the women of Nyaragusu about the Gospel Women of Luke 8? I have a devotional series you can receive by email, sign up below.