SECRETS OF THE HEART
WOMEN'S DAY
October 15th, 2000

Reported by Georgeanne Rayola

God's name was truly glorified at the Women's Day hosted by the women's ministry of the Nairobi Christian church. The life-changing theme for the event was "Secrets of the Heart". Held at Nairobi's principal landmark, the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, in one of the largest conference halls in the country, the occasion saw over 3000 in attendance, the highest number ever recorded for a Women's Day in Nairobi.

The Sunday afternoon gathering consisted of viewing of the KNN video, "Secrets of the Heart", personal sharing, singing, poetry and dances, crowned by several baptisms. Janet Fleurant powerfully delivered the keynote speech.

Women walked away deeply moved by every aspect of the service, particularly the speeches and sharing, in which Carol Mukenya, Florence Ahenda and Anne Irungu laid bare their hearts. The courage, openness and sincerity with which they spoke about the secrets of their hearts touched right to the core of those present. Several visitors approached the speakers afterwards indicating a need to talk.

The four sisters shared from private, personal, painful and powerful events in their lives. Carol Mukenya gave the opening speech, taking the women through the torment and anguish of Hannah's barren beginnings to the true resolution that Hannah found when she opened up about what was going on in her heart.

In response, Florence courageously and most movingly shared about an abusive incident in her life that tormented and affected all her relationships for the 10 years thereafter until she fully dealt with it by talking through all the feelings, emotional hurts and fears that had resulted from the experience. There were only a few dry eyes after the sharing.

Janet revealed, in her speech, the shocking statistic of how 8 out of every 10 women will be abused in their lifetime and most will choose to remain silent - tormented for the rest of their lives bt this and other secrets of their hearts. She expounded and made very clear to every woman in attendance the secrets and consequences, and what exactly to do to resolve the past and have a promising future.

Anne Irungu closed out powerfully by sharing personally how she had been a victim of unopenness in her life, and the results of overcoming this.

Present were women not only from Kenya but also from various counties of East and Central Africa, and from an entire cross-section of age levels, racial, religious, linguistic and socio-economic backgrounds, a rarity for a christian meeting in this city.

Some special individual victories illuminated the occasion:
Hazel Mumbo, less than 24 hours after the baptism of her husband, Patrick, had 30 visitors. Janet Fleurant, GSL for the women's ministry in East Africa, had 34 of her friends visiting. A sizeable number of fallen away disciples, visibly moved, were also in attendance.

2000 years ago, on one day, God changed the lives of over 3000 individuals. We are confident that, on this day, God has touched well over the 3000 present, as they learn to expose the secrets of their hearts and grab hold of God's dream for their lives.

To God and God alone be all the glory!