Ministry to the Blind in Kazakhstan
Euro-Asia Division (ESD)
[Kazakhstan] When Elena Flusova of Ust-Kamennagorsk experienced a significant loss of vision in 2006, she became involved with the local community of vision-impaired and discovered many of them have health problems due to sedentary lifestyle. She encouraged them to take walks with her and to use their senses by touching, smelling, tasting. In these strolls she spoke to them about the marvelous God who created nature. She also organized other outdoor activities with them, such as skating and riding horses.
When she began studying the Braille System, she asked to use the Braille Bible instead of secular books. The teachers agreed and in few days other new Braille readers asked to join Elena. The staff was greatly impressed when the group studying Braille using the Bible learned better and faster.
Flusova is currently chairman of Kazakh Public Society of People with Limited Vision in Ust-Kamennagorsk. During her ministry she has faced difficult situations and accusations. Some doors have been closed because her faith, but bigger doors have been opened. She organized cooking classes, massages, health programs, and a ladies club. Other associations asked for her help to bring the same healthy and encouraging programs to their organizations for the sighted. Certain people with big influence in the city are very happy with her work.
Flusova holds a Bible study with 35 people and it continues to grow. A sighted Adventist member who cares deeply about Bible study provided the Book of Revelation in Braille because of the great importance for the visually impaired to have access to it. Elena and her helpful church members are thrilled to see people in the Bible study being released from spiritual darkness.
Contributed by Guadalupe S. Alvarado, director, Southern Union Conference
Women of Virtue initiative launched in the United Kingdom
Trans-European Division (TED)
[England] Sharon Platt-McDonald, British Union Conference (BUC) Women's Ministries Director, launched Women of Virtue, an initiative she produced, at an April Day of Fellowship in Luton. Written to nurture the holistic development of women, Platt McDonald outlines 13 key principles from the life of the Virtuous Woman of Proverbs 31:10-31. A few of the resources in the program include a 282-page manual, a brochure series on prayer and gratitude with a prayer diary, even a theme song. More than 600 women attended the day of worshipful activities which included dramatizations of women in the Bible and a comparative study of the foolish woman of Proverbs 6 and the wise woman of Proverbs 7. The popular interactive exhibit depicting each of the 13 key principles gave women opportunity to reflect on their own lives.
Contributed by Sharon Platt-McDonald, WM director, British Union Conference
Focus on the News
"And whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me." Matthew 18:5
United in Prayer for 300 abducted Nigerian girls
During Heather Dawn Small's itinerary to Nigeria in March, 2014, Boko Haram's terrorist activity escalated.
General Conference Women's Ministries (GC WM) is taking up the call to prayer for nearly 300 young girls in Nigeria who were abducted from their homes by the Boko Haram terrorist group.
When I think of these young girls, ripped so violently from their homes, my heart breaks for their situation, for the pain of the families left behind, and for our world that may never know the contribution these young girls would have made to their community and country if they had been allowed to continue their education. God has gifted these young girls as surely as He has gifted you and me. Yet they may never be able to be all that God intended them to be. This is a global problem. We know that:
Worldwide, girls constitute over half of the children out of school. Only 30 percent of all girls are enrolled in secondary school. In many countries, less than one third of university students are women. The average sub-Saharan African girl from a low-income, rural household gets less than two years of schooling and never learns to read and write, to add and subtract, as opposed to the average sub-Saharan African boy who fully completes primary education. (http://dayofthegirl.org/girls-denied-education-worldwide/)
ANN's Twitter hashtags for call to prayer. http://bit.ly/1jr1h9E
The wise King Solomon wrote in Proverbs 31:8 (NIV) "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute." We need to cry out against injustice, abuse, neglect, poverty, and terrorism. So many causes in the world need our voices. So what can you and I do?
- Pray for these young girls, their families, and their abductors. They are all God's children in need of His love and help. Join the worldwide church prayer initiative so that your prayers are added to the many that ascend to God's throne on the behalf of these children in need.
- Stay informed about this situation, talk about it with others, and encourage them to pray with you.
- Read the article at Adventist News Network (http://bit.ly/1jr1h9E) and use the social media networks connecting people around the world who are concerned for these young girls. Whatever you do, remember the word of Solomon, "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves." What an awesome and serious responsibility is given to us.
Six Challenge Issues
These six issues globally affect women and girls for every continent, every island, every culture.
1. Poverty
2. Women's health
3. Abuse
4. Women's workloads
5. Illiteracy
6. Lack of training, mentoring, and leadership opportunities
Inspiration for You
Inspiration for You: Refresh Your Retreats
Women invest a lot of time and energy into their families, churches, communities, and work. they sacrifice their own needs for others. A retreat helps them recharge, feel encouraged, and be spiritually fed.
Make a Difference Day
Retreat means withdrawal, so even a short break can be a rest from routines of everyday life. A one-day retreat of eight hours will be accessible for more women, keep costs affordable, and make planning simpler.
Make an Unforgettable Experience
When women experience what they are learning, biblical principles stick with them up to nine times longer! Consider out-of-the-box activities that can be debriefed with discussion and Scripture. Spiritual topics such as trust and growth can be experienced through the metaphor of physical challenges.
Make it Relational
Women like to talk! When people connect, learning becomes more effective and helps build Christian friendships. Don't ask women to sit and listen for hours on end. Instead, have them get into groups and go for a long walk with three simple questions to discuss. Use icebreakers or games to mix up groups expecially at mealtimes.
Make it Easy
Take advantage of creative ideas and practical tools such as planning timelines, supply lists, scheduled suggestions, promotional and registration items. Involve new women to join in as you plan--and be 100% open to the new ideas they bring. The more others are involved, the more likely they are to invite friends and create an excellent retreat for everyone.
by Amy Nappa, www.womensministry.net
Determine Objectives, Audience, Organizers
The first step in putting the meeting puzzle together is to determine the objectives and audience for the event. This is the framework. You cannot plan a budget until you know what your objectives are. You cannot find a site until you know what your purpose is. You should not proceed with your plans until you have answered these questions:
- What is the purposer of the event? Are you bringing people together to pray or to play?
- What is the goal and final outcome you anticipate? What do you want attendies to take away from their time together?
- Are you working alone or with an organizing committee?
- Who do you anticipate will attend? Teenagers, senior citizens, families, couples or women only?
Definitions of Terms for Meetings
- Retreat—A period of time a group withdraws for meditation and study.
- Congress—A formal assembly, the act of coming together for a set purpose.
- Convention—A formal meeting of members, representatives or delegates.
- Session—A meeting to transact business.
- Seminar—A meeting for exchange of ideas.
- Board Meeting—A meeting of an organized body of administrators.
Source: Women's Ministries Leadership Certification. Level 1: Organizing Retreats and Congresses
LEADERSHIP
5 PROMISES FROM GOD TO YOU
The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just. The law of his God is in his heart; his feed do not slip. Psalms 37:30-31 (NIV)
He who endures to the end will be saved. Matthew 24:13 (NIV)
Through Christ we feel certain before God...It is God who makes us able to do all that we do. 2 Corinthians 3:4-5 (NCV)
In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determins his steps. Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Psalms 32:8 (NIV)
REMEMBER: The leader's power and strength for service comes through prayer: "Without this daily communion with God no human can gain power for Service" (Review & Herald, 1910)
WM Special Projects: Kajiado Home for Girls Provides Refuge
[Kenya] Rachel* died due to excessive bleeding during female circumcision in April setting off an outcry of protest from concerned citizens. Immediately, her 13-year-old sister Leah* ran for refuge to the Kajiado Home where she attended a seminar last December.
Perkins congratulates girls attending an
Alternate Rites Passage Seminar
In the four-day seminar, Alternate Rites of Passage, Leah learned about the dangers of female genital mutilation (FGM), the importance of worship, personal hygiene, family planning, education, and other topics.
Your monetary support to the Kajiado Home provides at-risk girls an education and a safe place to grow among loveing caregivers and teachers. Your donation will also help fund the Alternate Rites of Passage seminars.
Send donations by check to GC WM, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA 20904-6600, or provide your credit card number by calling 301-680-6608.
*Names are changed
Calendar
July 7-12 Global Health Conference, Geneva
August 9 International Day of the World’s Indigenous People
August 23 enditnow day (www.enditnow.org)
Prayer Corner
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Young girls who are abducted or abused
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Homes of Hope and Healing Ministry
- Global Health Conference