March 2021 ACCTS Newsletter

Dear family and friends,

March is the month of implementation and sowing. In this newsletter, you will read about the main activities taking place, such as the AWT's "It Is Not a Shame" campaign and the Authentic Leadership training. We ask you to join us in prayer for God's hand to be upon all the details involved, especially since people in our office in Jordan have recently battled COVID-19.

Ruba and I have returned to Jordan. We thank you for the warm welcome during our stay and the time you dedicated to meeting up with us in person. Connecting with you, our partners is a joy and treasure. We pray God's continued blessings upon you during this season.

With all the changes and instability around us, we believe it is a time to pray, fast, and focus our eyes on the sovereign Lord who is in control of it all.

"In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory." Ephesians 1: 11 – 12

It Is Not a Shame

AWT, the women's department of ACCTS, launched a campaign on honor and shame. Over the decades, the weight of the family's honor rested on women. It's a heavy burden for her to bear and has nothing to do with her being made in the image of God. The campaign emphasized women's value, aside from the negative connotations that distort their identity and reduce their value in their eyes and others'. It also has a significant impact on the decline of their performance and progress at all levels.

Women learned to distinguish between guilt and shame through the content, Bible studies, panels, and webinars that AWT prepared. They discovered that guilt is a feeling of responsibility or remorse for an offense or wrong, whether real or imagined. AWT taught them that shame is the painful feeling arising from the consciousness of something dishonorable done by oneself or another. After addressing two aspects of shame, AWT began to follow up with several women.

You may find the link to the first panel here and the link to the second panel here. To learn more about the “It Is Not a Shame” campaign, read the article here.

Follow the campaign on social media with these hashtags: #RestoringHonorofwomen #ChooseToChallenge #Shame #women #womenpower #womanForWoman #Womansupportingwoman #arabiclanguage #arabwomantoday #arabs #amman #ammanjordan #ShameFree #feminist

Encouraging Feedback

We are sincerely grateful for the feedback we get from the people we connect with through our programs, events, website, and social media platforms. The testimonies allow us to observe the impact on women's lives and encourage us to keep going. Since the beginning of the "It Is Not a Shame" campaign, we've been receiving lots of encouraging feedback and appeals for support, in addition to comments that help us know what is on the women's hearts and minds.

"Thank you for helping me get rid of these feelings, putting aside anger and revenge, and acknowledging that these emotions will hurt me first before they hurt others. I will follow you and communicate with you because I know you will help me live the inner peace that I am seeking. I will forgive mom and my family because I have also hurt them."

"I will endure; I will never allow my self-confidence and self-image to be shaken. I thank God for having gained satisfaction and self-acceptance. Thank you for listening to me, believing in me, and guiding me. I didn't know what to do without your support."

The above testimonies are a sample of our correspondence with campaign participants; however, this is just the beginning, and the story hasn't ended yet.

Make an Impact

You make campaigns like this possible with your faithful prayers and financial support. Because of you, women will learn the truth about honor and shame in a way that can have an eternal impact on their lives.

In 2021, AWT estimates that 250 women will participate in personal follow-up through an AWT staff member, and 50 women will engage in one-on-one counseling. Another 140 women will receive follow-up through support groups facilitated by AWT.

The average cost for each woman expected to participate in the Healing Program in 2021 is $200. Would you prayerfully consider sponsoring as many women as you can? Your gift of any size toward this purpose will help a woman restore her life and dignity. You can find the link at the bottom of the email for online giving, or you can contact us by email for more information on how to partner with us.

Authentic Leadership Online Training

March 24 was the second time we conducted the Authentic Leadership training with potential women leaders in the Arab world. During the first quarter of 2021 AWT developed the content that help women to determine to become a true authentic leader and make a difference in the world. Twenty-six women are embarking on this journey of self-discovery and impact.

During the Authentic Leadership training, women will develop themselves and become the leaders they have always wanted to be by:

1. Discovering their true north based on their beliefs, values, and principles

2. Learning what authentic leadership is and empowering people to bring out the best in them, turning from "I" to "we" leaders

3. Peeling back layers to understand who they are and how to process their crucibles that will define them

4. Finding their sweet spot where their motivations and strengths align

5. Learning to live an integrated life

6. Relying on other people for support

7. Taking heed of what may pull them away from their purpose

We are proud of every Arab woman leader employed in her country, region, and circle of influence who seeks to develop herself and her leadership and influence those around her.

Our Valuable Partners

Our partners are our most valuable resources. AWT has formed many valuable partnerships on a variety of levels over the years. On March 11, ACCTS' Resource Development Department held our first "Meet the Partners" Zoom meeting with the national WMU. The meeting included representatives from the national WMU, state WMU leaders, and WMU Foundation board members. We loved the opportunity to introduce some of the AWT team, provide updates on the ministry, and celebrate 15 years of partnership with the WMU! In 2006, the WMU helped sponsor small projects that made a significant impact. From there, we continued to work together as they helped support other projects and invested in equipping Christian Arab women leaders. Thank you for your support over the last 15 years and for the difference you have made in the Middle East! We greatly appreciate you and your faithfulness to stand with us over the years!