Nicaraguan Deaconesses enjoy seminar

Participants in the October 2017 deaconesses seminar in Nicaragua.

by Anita Syens

On October 30, 2017, I had the wonderful privilege of leading a one day seminar for the deaconesses of the Lutheran Church of Nicaragua. Together with our DPS Intern, Lenora Wallden, we met with 24 of the 29 deaconesses for a day of learning, growing, sharing, and caring.

We journeyed through a Bible study that focuses on walking with God through difficult times. Diverse mediums were used, such as speaking Scripture in unison, drama, and visual aids. I believe this made the lessons and truths touch their hearts even more powerfully. One of the goals of these sessions was to allow God to bring healing where healing is needed. In an environment of confidentiality, they felt free to share what was on their hearts. The other goal was that it could be used as a tool to bring back to their congregations, to be used with their own women, or adapted for teaching with the children they work with.

After this, in the later afternoon, we enabled them to go to a school/craft supply store, where they could buy much needed materials to teach the children that come to their churches, as part of the programs for outreach that have been set up in their communities. The look of joy on their faces was wonderful. I also had the opportunity to give some of the ladies a haircut, as I am also a hairdresser. It was a very full and diverse day, with some laughter, tears, joy and sadness. For me, it was a very blessed day.

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Anita Syens is wife to Rev. Roland Syens (Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kitchener, Ontario). She is a trained Stephen Leader and facilitates the Griefshare ministry at Holy Cross. A certified registered Psychotherapist, she also serves as part time Spiritual Care provider at Kitchener/Waterloo Grand River Hospital, Freeport Hospital, and is on call at St Mary’s Hospital.

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