I (Julia) serve at a ministry called Amani Ya Juu in Nairobi, Kenya.
Amani Ya Juu (which is Swahili for “A Higher Peace”) is a Christian, social economic enterprise committed to peace and reconciliation for marginalized women from many African nations and cultures. We use beautiful African materials to create high-quality fair trade home goods and accessories. We sell our one of a kind products both online, in our center in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and in our onsite shop here in Nairobi. We also have a lovely garden café where we serve some of the best mochas and salads in the country!
Besides the aforementioned income-generating streams of Amani, there are many spiritual and social programs happening every day as well. In my role as Ministry Coordinator, I oversee those programs, which include:
- Daily times of prayer, Bible study & worship
- Monthly medical clinics
- Kids & Teen camps during school breaks
- Home visits (i.e. to visit moms with newborn babies, to comfort our sisters during times of bereavement or illness, etc.)
- Annual retreats / Days of prayer & fasting
I also help to make sure we’ve got new and delicious recipes in the café, and that our quilts and clothing are only made with the very best color combinations!
More than anything, our hope and prayer is that the ladies in our care find peace: peace with God, peace within, and peace with others. Everything we do points to, and is motivated by, that one powerful theme.