Hamlin Fistula Hospital STS

Hamlin Fistula hospital treats women with childbirth injuries and other related complications. Many tribal communities in Ethiopia practice forced marriages and girls are usually given to marriage at very tender ages.  
  
When young married girls conceive after being married, they at times get injuries at childbirth and develop Fistula conditions and they can longer control bodily wastes- urine and feces.  
  
When this happens, the injured girl's in-laws and husband reject her. These girls are considered as cursed, so their husbands leave and remarry. The families go through great shame and the poor women are held responsible for bringing the shame to their families.

Usually, these girls are hidden by their families from the public as those families try to cover the shame. The effects of these on the affected women are great shame, feeling of rejection and dejection. Fistula hospital takes such women from the villages and treats them.

We visited the Hamlin Fistula Hospital. While there we showed the God's Story (Amharic version) to the patients. At first, the women looked very disturbed as they watched the scene where the Serpent deceives Eve. Later, when we asked the women why they looked disturbed when they saw the serpent, they said it reminded them of their condition as cursed women. As they watched the rest of the video, their faces lightened up and many of them shed tears as they were touched by God's Word. They realized that Christ took their place, just as the ram died instead of Isaac.

Later we held an STS workshop for the hospital medical and assisting staff. The stories of Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38) and the One Leper (Mark 1:40) became the hospital favorites. As the members of the staff practice these stories with the patients, the patients saw the shame in the Martha & Mary story. In the One Leper story, patients identified with the rejection the leper faced. Like the leper, each of them also had gone through rejection by their families and husbands because of their condition.

There was a great change to the women after the stories. The women said they wanted Jesus to touch them as He had touched the leper. The women said they were happy to know that God hasn't cursed them; that He was providing a way out of their world of misery and shame. They were filled with joy and experienced new life and hope.

Journal of Discovering Story

(Many in Africa use Simply The Story as part of their medical missions work.  
The following four letters are from one such person. Jayne describes her journey, from discovering "story" in an STS workshop to becoming certified to train others in STS. She tells of choosing to adopt story as part of her spiritual outreach in Africa.)

My Call in Missions:

”I am a missionary with Africa Inland Mission, Int.  I am a nurse and my role is the HIV Education Coordinator for AIM here in Lesotho. 

“My ministry involves working with pastors in the mountain areas of Lesotho to help them understand the call of Jesus to be involved in the lives of people suffering especially with HIV. I also work with training support groups to provide care for those sick with HIV related illnesses and to educated to village people to understand about the transmission, ARV’S (antiretro viral medications for those with HIV) and how to take them, and to give hope in the Name of Jesus to those who have lost hope. 

“I also work with herd boys, the shepherds, teaching them about Jesus and who they are in Him and His creation.
After One Simply The Story Workshop:

“This is so exciting to see the shepherds come to understand through the stories about God and His purpose for us and His plan for us to know Him and be His forever more. They love to hear how He has used shepherds throughout the history of the Bible, and it gives them hope to know they are important to Him and He knows them.
“They easily listen to the stories and pick the truths from the stories and then look at their lives and how those truths apply to them. It is such a joy to share with them what God has been wanting them to know about Him for so long. 

“They cannot read or write, and have been left behind in hearing and taking His Word into their own lives. What a gift for me to be able to learn from them as they look at things in their eyes and come to understand our God.

After Two More Workshops:

[Jayne and two nationals, who also attended the first workshop in Lesotho, then traveled to serve as Provisional Instructors in STS workshops in Cape Town and Pretoria.]

“We just arrived back in Maseru this afternoon from the two workshops and WOW!!  What abundant blessings both were. Much of the time in Cape Town was used to move us toward certification as STS instructors. It was a great opportunity to be closer to being cleared to lead STS workshops in Lesotho. I know we can have our own workshops to teach the method, but I think it is very important in our context and working with the African cultures that we have the backing of the organization of STS and can state we are representing and teaching their material. It will give our workshops the credibility of STS’s reputation as it has been tried and tested for a years and has proven to be a very strong tool for teaching God’s Word. That is our plan for here in Lesotho. We are planning a two day workshop the middle of October in the mountains where I live.

Our East Africa Director is coming to South Africa, to speak at Lausanne in Cape Town. He will come to Lesotho first for our workshop and to do vision casting. He will also be able to check us off on a few more things. By the first part of next year we would like to have another workshop but a two/three day one. I will keep you informed about how those plans come along.

I just wanted to share with you and Dorothy how grateful we are for your prayers and support for these two conferences and for our work here in Lesotho.  I am so sure STS is meant to sweep the mountains and bring the “gift of the wonderful truths of the Gospel” to many rural villages where many people don’t read, can’t afford a Bible, or don’t want to read to come to know Jesus through His stories and God’s plan for them.  

I can’t thank you enough for what you do for those who can’t read His Word for themselves and depend on us to tell them. I feel God telling us to get back to His Word and depend on the Holy Spirit to bring It alive and active into the hearts and minds of those listening and discussing.

Mamotsoane and Sefiri both were great and are going to be great leaders and co-leaders. We all still have a lot to learn, but are committed to continue. They too are so grateful for all of your help. 

All for His Glory!

Jayne

What I Wrote My Supporters:

“I have talked before about using Simply The Story style of storytelling with the herd boys in telling them God’s story starting in Genesis. I have had the blessing of attending several workshops to learn and then teach this method of sharing the gospel. 

“We found that STS was originally created for those who were either non-literate or semi-literates, but it has become a tool to use for all who are wanting to learn about God. We have been certified now to have our own trainings in Lesotho, and we are making plans now to translate all the material into Sesotho. It is so very important to tell the Bible stories and to teach the STS method in a person’s heart language. 
“It is exciting to see what treasures people are finding for themselves from telling a Bible story and asking thought provoking questions that lead to discussion of what God is saying to us. And it is exciting to see where God is leading us to use His stories the way He taught in revealing His truths. 

“This method can be done anywhere because the only thing needed is one Bible for the storyteller to learn the story. Even where we don’t have Bibles available, we are praying for a supply of audio solar powered MP3 players with the Bible recorded. Those who can’t read can listen and learn the stories and then go out and tell them to others. 

“If you would like to be involved in providing these players, please write to me and I will tell you how you can do that. It feels as though God is saying ‘Get back to my Word and depend on the Holy Spirit to use it as the double edged sword that it is to cut to heart and soul.’”

Jayne Wilkins

If you would like more information about how STS is being used by Jayne or this area of ministry, please contact us and we will forward your request.

Easier to Tell Others Story With Passion

"I'm amazed that you made decision not to cancel the workshop even it's on the day of your wife's big surgery. I'm also amazed how much your wife supports you and your decision in any circumstances. What a faithful wife she is and what a faithful servant of God you are. There are many things we learn from you. Thank you for not canceling it.

"It was a life-changing experience in my Bible reading. There are many things I found out about the passage we used in a workshop. I knew people in the Bible have feelings and so does God but it was a great reminder of that.

"This story telling makes reading the Bible very interesting and fun! I knew in my head that the Word in the Bible is alive but now I can 'feel' and understand that in my heart.

"I think the story telling is useful when I tell the Word of God to others, but also good resources and useful when I read the Bible by myself. I've always believed that I tend to remember more when I wrote down, so this was a bit challenging, but I think picturing in my head helps us remember the story and stay in my heart. Since the word of God speaks to my heart not my head, it would make it easier to tell others story with passion.

"During the workshop, we were divided into 3 tribes. I think start with small group setting was a great idea. If I have had to do it in front of everybody from the beginning, I would have been a lot more nervous.

"Although I did really bad, my instructor was very very encouraging. Her feedback were mostly positive things, which made me realized that I don't have to be perfect. I can do this because it is not me that leading the story telling but the Holy Spirit leading it. I guess it just require more practice. I hope to continue to use it among the other students with our core members and at the Bible study (with Christians and/or with non-believers.)"

International Student in USA

Ministering to Seekers

"My husband and & I continue to teach Bible stories using STS to our international students.

"Attendance has averaged 43 the past five weeks; 80% of attendees are not yet followers of Christ. The Spirit of God is touching these precious young people from 8 different countries.

"We are soooo blessed and compelled to pass on the blessings of His word. Thanks for teaching us. "When will you do another seminar in So. CA? I want to continue to learn to do this method well so I can pass it on to many others."

CA, USA

Simply The Story for ESL

Since we moved to this rather big city, I have been teaching ESL [English as a Second Language] to gals from Egypt, Syria, Yemen, etc. who barely speak any English; therefore I have not been able to use my Storytelling skills. But recently I substituted in the advanced class (who are fluent in English!).

I shared about King Solomon, who settled a dispute between two prostitutes who both had given birth to babies, but one of the babies died. Both women claimed to be the mother of the living child. The king asked for a sword to cut the live baby in half and give one half to each woman (1 Kings 3:16).

Anyway, after telling the story, I was so surprised how enthusiastically the class responded. They recalled many of the details. They participated in sharing observations, they split up in groups to repeat the story to each other, then we had four women volunteers to repeat the entire story in front of class.

There was so much interaction and involvement, that by the time we ended, the story was told eight times! I imagine, afterward they shared with their families or friends! There were 20 ladies, and about half are Muslim. The ladies loved the class. It truly was a home run! But now they think I am a great teacher (which I am not). And they put me on the schedule for the advanced class. I told them, “As long as I can tell stories ... I will do it.” They happily agreed!

Now, I am starting to work on some of my old stories we had practiced in the past training sessions.

STS has truly been resurrected in my life and I am so excited about it.

Adult Sunday school changed to Family Sunday school

For a number of years, my husband and I taught adult Sunday school using STS. We taught as a team. My husband Chris would tell the story, and then I would ask the questions and lead the discussion. We began leading the study while attending a small country church in Texas. Our class began with 6 faithful senior adult members. The method of discovering deep truths through discussion was very new to them. But as we shared and discussed the stories, the scripture came alive to them. Over a period of 2 years our class grew to 24 members in a church of 75 attendees. One time we had been studying the book of Jonah. After discussing the first part of the story where Johan attempts to run away from God, James, an 84 year old man said, "I've heard that story since I was a small boy, but I never knew you could take it personally until today." 

A few years later we moved to Hemet, California to volunteer at STS headquarters. Our new church in Hemet opened their hearts to STS. We've held several STS workshops there over the last 5 years. We're so thankful to say that 4 of our elders have attended workshops as well as our then associate pastor. With our pastor retiring, he will now be our new senior pastor. Our church is so open and receptive to God's directing. We had been teaching an adult Sunday school class there for 3 years. But in the early fall of 2022, we were lead to open our class to families. Our church said "Go for It!"

Our family class is now for all ages. We have senior adults, young adults (20 -- 35yrs), and families with children (ages 3-14). Having families attend is making a big difference to everyone. The impacts we've seen include: 

• Families love going to the same class. Families have a common scripture to continue to discuss and share through the week
• Learning to tell and then discuss a story has helped make family devotions come alive
• Adult members have been amazed to learn from the children as God reveals spiritual truths they share in discussion
• STS is a tool that helps unite a church as we experience that the Holy Spirit speaks to all ages. We don't need to separate the children or speak down to them; they see and apply truth from the same story as the adults.
• Learning the story all together helps adults to remember as well as the children. As several members have said, "The stories stick!" 

Youth Leading in Workshops

When our girls were younger, I used take them out on workshop trips (as their school or holidays permitted). On one occasion we were flying through London and my oldest (aged 17) got into telling the "One Leper" story (Mark 1:40-45) to a family. As we discussed being unclean in that story, a girl beset daily with strong fits--a minimum of two every day, often more--went into a bad one. We prayed for her and she was delivered of several demons. Several years later that family testified that the girl had not had one single fit since that night.

On another occasion all three daughters helped us lead small groups in an STS workshop in Peru. Our youngest daughter was only twelve at the time and capably led a group of men from a remote tribal group deep in the Amazon. 

At one point during that workshop, a man fell from a home built on stilts. The man was seriously injured. I asked our middle daughter (aged 15), who like her sisters had learned three Bible stories for the trip, to tell the story about the young man who fell from a window when Paul was preaching (in Acts). God worked through that story and by His Spirit to bring healing to the Amazonian man who had fallen. The whole village heard and saw the miracle. 

My youngest, when she was 15 years old, also helped lead small groups in local workshops I led in Ireland. That year, she also travelled with me to lead small groups and present illustrations when we led several training events in Egypt.