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<\/a><\/p>\nAFMIN<\/a> has officially launched its first African Women’s Empowerment Project<\/strong> in Zambia! \u00a0This first class of women leaders met to further develop their leadership skills by taking courses in Emotional Trauma, Gender Theory, and Leadership. \u00a0Dr. Chris de Wet and Lydia Brown, MA, LPC started the day with a “one-two punch” by lecturing on gender theory and the science of emotion.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lydi So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them … -Jesus (Matthew 7:12)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n There is a suffocating stigma which surrounds suffering, both at home and here in Zambia. \u00a0Grief should not be summarily dismissed as unwarranted, and cries for help should not go unheeded. \u00a0Even in wildly different cultures, humans experience emotion and every one of us needs to be heard. \u00a0The oft judgmental and preconceived notions we have about another’s pain and suffering can lead us to calloused minds and cold hearts. \u00a0When confronted with someone else’s grief I believe we should do our best to rely on the simple wisdom of the so-called Golden Rule of do to others what you would have them do to you.<\/em>\u00a0 When someone’s silenced emotions find their way out, take a moment to think about how you felt the last time you had an unplanned outbreak, and how you wished the people around you responded. \u00a0Anyways…I digress…<\/p>\n Today, I saw the start of change. \u00a0Not a quick, emotional change, but a thoughtful one. \u00a0A change indicated by insightful discussion and diligent consideration. \u00a0The day ended with a Zambian mother sharing that, “I am now convicted. \u00a0We are good mothers, but it is easy to get annoyed at my children. \u00a0However, I now know to look for the cause of their behavior.”<\/em> \u00a0It has only been a day, but I’m excited to say that all good work is done a day at a time. \u00a0Today, I witnessed a room of Zambian women grow together in solidarity and be unified in purpose to stand together as women whom God loves, values, listens to, gives purpose to, and use to increase His Kingdom on this earth.<\/p>\n<\/a>a talked about the spectrum of trauma and stress, and this in a city currently fighting against a rash of ritualized murders (read more here<\/a> and here<\/a>). \u00a0In this place, a woman is expected to “just deal” with trauma, and stress should be silently born without complaint. \u00a0However,this silence is challenged in face of continuous\u00a0trauma–such as a string violent, unsolved murders. \u00a0The room was quiet as Lydia stated that “it’s OK to have emotions, and no emotion is inherently sinful” but as I listened to the murmur of women discussing loss and sharing stories of trauma, I sensed a feeling of freedom start to permeate the room. \u00a0This freedom grew into confidence as women were able to share stories of physical assault, rape, adultery, and death. \u00a0This confidence grew into empowerment as the women began to talk about their families and their communities–and the changes they want and need to enact!<\/p>\n