AFRICA
DESTINY LEAHY
Tell me more about your mission?
I am the Global Ministry Director for Africa at MOPS International. MOPS stands for Mothers of Preschoolers, and we reach moms around the world, encouraging and equipping them to realize their potential as mothers, women and leaders in relationship with Jesus Christ and in partnership with the local church. We believe that better moms make a better world. Within the region of MOPS Africa, I am reaching over 5000 women, in 200 groups, in 17 countries across the continent. I believe this ministry has the potential to change the cycle of poverty in Africa when moms are given resources, skills, and knowledge to raise their children well. My largest role in this ministry is to oversee a leadership team of 18 women who are our country- and regional- coordinators, by training, coaching, and providing them with curriculum and materials for them to bring out to the MOPS groups in their region.
What are some victories I can celebrate with you?
MOPS Africa has grown ten-fold in the last four years. We now have an established and thriving leadership team, who meet with me on a monthly basis for training and prayer. We also have a large network of MOPS Africa local coordinators that interact on a group forum, sharing victories, photos, prayer requests, and encouragement. Since I began overseeing the continent, we have released several curriculum specifically designed to reach the impoverished mothers we serve. This curriculum has been translated and distributed to our 200 groups across Africa, and helps our local coordinators facilitate meetings that teach practical mothering skills and provide essential space for moms to open up and share about the joys and challenges of motherhood, all while guiding them closer to Jesus.
What are some of the challenges you face?
Living stateside while serving globally has a host of challenges. There are limited opportunities for travel to meet and train groups face to face, and with the recent pandemic it has come to a halt. We have managed to utilize technology as much as possible, but there are major hurdles when using Zoom and other internet based programs, including internet coverage and cost for local leaders.
How can I pray for you?
There are a variety of decisions I have to make on a regular basis, many times without past experience or ministry protocol. I covet prayers for wisdom and focus to continue to walk in the direction God is leading in this ministry.
How can I support you?
I have a unique position in the missionary field, because I am not compensated in any way for my time; I do not raise funding for myself. The position I hold is 100% volunteer, and it is my responsibility to raise the funding needed to sustain the projects and recurring costs for the MOPS Africa budget. Therefore, all support and donations made to this ministry go directly back to the MOPS groups I serve. I am honored to be able to donate my time and focus to supporting this growing region of the world. You can make a tax-deductible donation here: https://mops.givingfuel.com/mops-africa-fund
Where can I learn more?
I update what is going on across my groups in this monthly blog - https://mopsafrica.blogspot.com/. You can also watch a short video of what MOPS Africa is all about here - https://youtu.be/MMstQoxlnt4. And, you can learn more about MOPS International at https://www.mops.org/.