The Bushes visit our headquarters

Photos by Katarina Premfors for the George W. Bush Presidential Center

Our answer for WHO and WHY?

We have been asking you to guess who, in our last newsletter release! I wonder if you were able to grasp a bit of the excitement we are feeling here at the office. Mixed feelings of appreciation, thrill, along with some tension that inspired us to do our best in our preparations, is a glimpse of the prevailing atmosphere at our office back then.
 
Inspired by the work of the Arab Woman Today Department, ACCTS was privileged to have Mr. President George Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush as guests of honor at our place here in Amman, Jordan. This historic visit took place on October 24. 

It all started with the opportunity that Ruba, AWT founder and director, had last fall. Ruba joined the We Lead program as part of the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, Texas. It equipped her and widened her exposure. Furthermore, she gained the credibility of being alumni and acquired the tools and knowledge. The leadership program helped this visionary woman grasp the importance of empowering women economically in our community. It advanced her leadership and expanded her vision. We can say, it has been on her heart, but now it moved to her mind and turned into action.
 
Ruba has held seminars on women empowerment in the least affluent areas in Jordan. Eventually, Mr. President, along with his influential wife, chose from the many trainees to attend in person one of the workshops Ruba conducts titled, "Is the woman a fighter or a victim of poverty?" Along with six board members of the George W. Bush Presidential Center and the chargé d'affaires and the Deputy at the American Embassy in Amman.
 

The tour in our office

Once Mr. and Mrs. Bush entered our office they first visited our showroom offering handmade products by our trainees at our center in the north, such as embroidery, sewing, soap making, straw making, and other products. Thank the Lord for reaping the fruit of our multiple training courses provided by the center. It is our goal to see individuals equipped and sustained to support their families economically.
Based on the World Economic Forum in 2018, Jordan ranked 144^th out of 149 countries in regard to women's economic participation in the world. The unemployment rate among women in Jordan at the end of 2018 was 25.7%, and the labor force of women did not exceed 15.2%, while the percentage of economically inactive women was 84.8%. It is the reason behind the passion that drove Ruba to invest in the lives of women in this domain.
 
Our distinguished guests then joined the trainees’ workshop. The lecture focused on identifying the concept of a strong influential woman who can, through economic empowerment, lead her way to increase income, have insurance and guarantees, and realize her self-worth. The participants were a mix of Jordanian, Syrian, few Iraqis, and one Sudanese woman, representing northern Jordan and the eastern region of Amman. Our guests, along with some of our board members, engaged in an ongoing activity and helped facilitate the table discussions.
 
How motivating it is to have Mr. and Mrs. Bush participate in a discussion study within the small groups to help the women find their dreams and visions, pursue them despite challenges, and invest in them through training while asking for the support they need. Women shared their hearts, dreams, concerns, and challenges in an open, friendly atmosphere in front of Mr. President. He was humble enough to sit, listen, comprehend, and interact with the attendees.
As a practical step, ACCTS Community Center shall consider the proposals of these women and equip them through the multiple training workshops, such as embroidery, sewing, soap making, straw making, and other products. Hence, we aspire to equip them and help them accomplish their dreams.
 

Photos by Katarina Premfors for the George W. Bush Presidential Center

Around the table in the meeting room

After the session, we moved to our meeting room. We had a short but substantial meeting with the president, Mrs. Laura, the accompanying delegation and ACCTS Board chair and vice-chair, talking about the general situation in Jordan and the Middle East.
ACCTS chairman welcomed the attendees and thanked the George W. Bush Presidential Center for the training they provided to Ruba, who, in turn, shared why and how she started the women department. Moreover, the ACCTS board expressed their appreciation for our kings' work to advance peace in the region. They urged Americans to listen to the wisdom of His Majesty, King Abdullah II.
Afterward, Director Nabeeh Abbassi shared ACCTS history and successes during the last seven years of its establishment and the efforts put into working with the refugees and vulnerable Jordanians. He then addressed some of the many challenges we are facing as an organization. In answering a question about the size of Jordanian evangelicals, the president was surprised to learn that we are 10,000 in total worshiping and practicing our faith freely in about 70 churches. Karen Sasahara, who is serving as Chargé d'affaires since March 2019, appeared surprised by the fact that we as evangelical churches are facing restrictions such as holding events in hotels and other challenges.
Our General Director then asked, "Why us, and what is next?" Here, Mr. Bush spoke up and said, "Change begins with an individual, and the individual can change the society." And we believe ACCTS is doing this.
 

A visit to remember

Up to this date, this sweet presence of this down-to-earth man and this respectful lady emotionally raptures us. We cherish the opportunity we had to share the story of our existence and will forever be in remembrance of the memory of this meeting.
 
Nevertheless, the thriller of all is that amid all security chaos, Mr. President did care to take some priceless moments to give pieces of encouragement, shake hands with all staff, and those serving him with a smile.
  
God’s mighty hand is knitting it all!
We can see the Lord's hand in all these arrangements to the tiniest bits of details. We see it as a soothing hand from the Lord in such a challenging time through which ACCTS is passing. We have been waiting on the Lord and surrendering to him in all what we do believing his words, "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison." 2 Corinthians 4:17
 
Our Lord is far above all rule and authority, power, and dominion. God is sovereign, and we submit to his authority. Only GOD can open such doors and opportunities. He shall open, and no one shall shut, and he shall shut, and no one shall open.
 
We trust his timing, and we believe it is his way to affirm our vision confirming that we are on the right track. We hear him say, "Press forward with vision and be steadfast." We believe that a divine counsel had brought this opportunity into existence when we most needed encouragement by God the Holy Spirit. 
 
Therefore, with a heart of thanksgiving, we acknowledge that no matter what we face, God does not just work to change our situations and help us through our problems. He does more; he changes our hearts. His power, through hearts of gratitude and focused minds on Him, releases the grip our struggles have over us. He strengthens us by his peace and refuels us by his joy.
 
In this Thanksgiving season, we remind ourselves that he is the source of all blessings, and we do not want to be sent up if his presence does not go with us. 
Joyfully, we share this news with you. We are thanking you, our precious partners and friends for having a significant share in making the impossible possible through your fervent prayers that avail much. 
 

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