Marching to HEAVEN

Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division

Women from Malawi and Zimbabwe sang the same song, "We are Marching to Jerusalem," as they come together for training and spiritual revival.

The title, "Tayandikira Kwathu" which means "Homeward Bound" was the theme for the second Women's Ministries congress held in Lilongwe, Malawi, Africa, where close to 1,000 women gathered. The congress was organized by Margaret Masamba, Women's Ministries Director, and her team.

Among the speakers at this congress were Heather Dawn Small, GC Women's Ministries Director; Raquel Arrais, GC Women's Ministries Associate Director; Dr. Janice Browne, a professor at Tennessee State University, who attended as guest of GC Women's Ministries; Saustine Mfune, President, Malawi Union; and Caroline Chola, who is the SID Women's Ministries Director.

Heather-Dawn Small officially launched the enditnow campaign. Women in the enditnow attire and singing the enditnow song divided into groups which marched all over the town of Lilongwe to sensitize people to the ill effects of violence against women and girls.

The guest of honor was Calista Chipola, first lady of Malawi. She commended the Seventh-day Adventists for creating the enditnow campaign and urged them to work hand in hand with governments that are dealing with the issue.

One of the highlights during the congress was a clinic tent where women, after a counseling session, were encouraged to go and to be tested for their HIV/AIDS status.

After the Malawi congress, Heather-Dawn Small, Raquel Arrais, Janice Brown, Caroline Chola and Rhoda Nthani traveled to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe for another Women's Ministries congress, this one at Solusi University, where over 3,000 women convened under the theme "When My Life's Work Is Ended."

During the official opening, which was attended by the Vice President of Zimbabwe, and the Honorable Joyce Mujuru, Minister of Gender, the enditnow banner was signed.

There were two venues, one for the adult women and one for the young women. The speakers rotated from one venue to the other, and the women were blessed.

Let us remember and pray for our sisters in Malawi and Zimbabwe.

 

Picture: Women in small groups dotted the venue, praying during breaks.