Dear Friends,
This week, please intercede with us for Dr. Naomi James in Kenya.
Home to nearly 52 million people (86% Christian and 11% Muslim), Kenya has one of the world’s youngest populations, with 75% of Kenyans under the age of 30. Kenya’s Ministry of Health estimates that 10% of the population suffers from depression or anxiety disorders. However, mental illness remains a taboo topic in the country, and popular myths concerning its causes prevail. Kenyan families need greater mental health education and support in order to raise up future generations of psychologically healthy and empowered citizens.
Naomi serves as the lead psychologist of Oasis Africa, a highly impactful counseling and training organization founded by Gladys and Gershon Mwiti, who are also members of the Scholar Leaders Fellowship. In Naomi’s experience, women’s mental health is critical not only for their own wellbeing, but also for their families’ welfare. Naomi seeks to bolster awareness of mental health issues in Kenya, and to support strong families for children to grow up safely and joyfully.
Through Leader Studies, Scholar Leaders supported Naomi for her PhD in Clinical Psychology at Daystar University in Kenya. Naomi’s research examined factors that compromise women’s ability to cope with traumatic experiences like war, community violence, sexual assault, and domestic abuse. Naomi and her husband James have two college-aged children, Neema and Imani.
Naomi shares the following message:
I hope you are well. Thank you for inviting me to share my prayer requests and an update of my ministry.
Ministry Update
I serve in my church (Africa Inland Church) in the prayer and choir ministries. The Lord has opened opportunities for me to compose Swahili songs, which have been used to preach the gospel. I have composed poems for other groups in the church as well.
As a clinical psychologist, I serve individuals of all ages and groups from diverse backgrounds. The Lord has used me to bring hope to broken hearts. Additionally, I have been working with university students, training and supervising them to become clinical psychologists who will make a difference in the society.
Pray for Kenya
Pray for Kenya to have peace.
Pray for unity among political leaders.
Pray for church leaders to preach sound doctrine.
Pray for My Family
Pray for my husband James to continue serving the Lord faithfully.
Pray for Neema and Imani, our children, to succeed in their university education and to walk righteously with the Lord.
Pray for me that I would be diligent in my work. I need wisdom and good health.
Thank you, and may the Lord bless you abundantly.
Naomi James