Training New Counselors

Just like training in North America, a crucial component to GEMS mission work in Zambia is training the counselors who lead clubs. In the summer of 2011, a team of women returned to the Lusaka area for the sixth consecutive year.

In 2011:

• Nearly 100 returning counselors received training. The training team heard great feedback about what has been happening in Zambian clubs. The women at training are determined. They want to succeed and be the best GEMS counselor they can be.
• Six new clubs were started. All the women were excited to go back to their home churches and start GEMS! Many, many more could have been started; however, resources are limited and the need for Sister Clubs from North America to sponsor more clubs is significant.
• To help reduce expenses we are field-testing a new plan whereby capable, seasoned counselors from areas at a significant distance from the capital city, Lusaka, where training is held, are recruited, trained, and equipped to go back to their areas and teach and train the women there. We are excited to see how God will use these women in their own areas this year.
• The first group of CITs (Counselors-in-Training) graduated to become counselors in a joyful celebration!