Devotional

On weekday afternoons, someone walking around in Yekepa, Liberia might hear a curious sound floating through the open windows and doors of Amani Liberia. The members are having their daily devotional.

“The singing-o! I like it!” remarks Ophelia. Devotion begins with the group gathered around in one corner of the building. For a while everyone is quiet, pausing to wind down from cutting and stitching. Then suddenly, one member’s voice rings out the first line of a well-known worship song. The others follow, adding their own distinct voices and two drums to the ensemble--- “That’s my work!” says Austin, who partners with Ellis each day to create a drumbeat for the singers. “That’s my field!”

After several songs, one member delivers a short sermon on a biblical concept or person in the bible. Regina explains that this time allows members to “become strong in the word of God”. Darlene also finds devotion to be useful. “If there is a wrong in your life, it can show you how to live.” says Darlene. Devotion gives the members peace in their busy lives. “Devotion makes me feel fine in my heart!” exclaims Yei.

Afterwards comes a time when struggles are shared and words of thanks are given. “If you have any praises or prayer requests, you let it out and we can all pray for each other.” says Izetta.

Members at Amani are very busy people. Almost all have children to tend to, and some, like Darlene and Esther, have small businesses. (To learn more about the many tasks an Amani member must see to on a daily basis, check out our recent blogs on a typical day. “Sometimes I don’t have time to do a devotion in the morning. So, I come here and I can do devotion with everybody,” says Esther. Because of her small business, Darlene cannot go to church every Sunday. “Not everyone has that chance,” she says. “So I am getting my time with God every day at Amani!"

After individual praises have been offered and requests have been made, one member closes the group in prayer. Theresa writes down the items on the prayer list, which is exchanged with Amani ya Juu’s centers in the U.S., Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda. This allows a wide network of sisters to give thanks and share in struggles together.

Devotion is a cornerstone of Amani ya Juu’s holistic solution to poverty. “It makes you come up fine—to live the rightful way.” says Ellis. Members are able to gain dignity through work and useful skills for the future, but are also given something bigger, which Annie shares enthusiastically.
“Without God, man has no hope. I love my devotion time. My spirit can be moved!”

                                      

     

Wilson enjoying his own devotion time. 

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