Above: The speakers on the day

                                Phumla (left) and Kedibonye (right)

Joint forces

This was the second collaboration between the Soweto region and the Botswana church–they also shared an Easter series and a midweek series entitled Unbeatable. 

Phumla continues. “The impact we were looking for was to highlight the presence and greatness of God in our lives amidst all the tough times we’ve been facing throughout pandemic and other issues. To show we might’ve been through different storms and tossed about by the wind but, in fact, we’ve been dancing in the rain because we’re still here, deeply rooted. God has been there with us through it all. We went around collecting letters of testimonies from women at church who shared what ‘dancing in the rain’ means to them, or how they think they’ve danced in the rain. We compiled the testimonies into a booklet and it’s been so encouraging to read all those stories of women who went, or are going through, challenges with resilience and faith in God,” she shares.

Kedibonye Malejane, who leads the women in Botswana, sums up the Women’s Day event in three words: refreshing, rebooting, reviving. “I feel Covid-19 has dragged us into a spiritual quagmire. The month of July seemed to be the worst, with close friends and family members succumbing to the disease. Dancing in the rain couldn’t have been a more apt theme for a time like this.”

She expressed the hope that “God refreshes them (the Soweto sisters) just as they refreshed us” (Proverbs 11:25) through the joint venture. “We enjoyed a fun-filled, faith-building, sister-bonding time. Personally, the messages have re-ignited my belief and confidence; and I’ve looked up again and wait for amazing things that God has in store for his people,” Kedibonye says.

What “dancing in the rain,” means

Here are the thoughts of some women in the booklet on what “dancing in the rain” means to them:

Larona (Botswana): My journey with Christ began in 2013, but his journey with me had long begun before creation. I have had my fair share of suffering. Particularly losing my mom at a tender age of 13 years on my birthday. It is a day I will never forget. However, as I reminisce on the time period of my loss, I can testify that God created a nest for me. I did not lack anything and still lack nothing for he is with me, my cup overflows. Even at a time when I feel like He is not there, He is.

Mahlatse (Soweto): The heat - Before it rains, the days are very hot and the sun shines bright. This is a season of beautiful times (Ecclesiastes 3:3). The dark clouds - This is the time when your problems feel heavy and the burden of the challenges seems hard to bear (Joshua 1:9). The rain - It just feels like the whole world is just caving in on you and you are in a hopeless situation, it’s a storm! (1 Chronicles 16:11); The rainbow - God reminds you that life is beautiful, and after every storm there is an even better day (Romans 8:37).

Pauline (Soweto): When I lost my husband, the father of my children, my world was shattered as I wondered how life will be without him. I could not comprehend how I will adapt to living a normal life without him. I was overwhelmed by the adjustments that I needed to make in my life, as I assumed full responsibility of taking care of my children and running my household alone. Then, I had to remind myself that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28). God is the father to my children and he will defend me at all times at all and that is exactly what he is doing (Psalm 68:5).

Judith (Botswana): I really thank God for my salvation and His guidance in good or bad times. Even though sometimes we stumble and fall, we need to rely on prayer and the word of God to gain our strength back because our father has a good plan and purpose for our lives. One of my favourite scriptures is from Matthew 4:4, and 2 Peter 3:17-18.