Focus on the News

West-Central Africa Division (WAD)

Women’s Prayer Retreat

More than 1600 women from all parts of Ghana gathered for a prayer retreat organized by the WM Department of the Ghana Union Conference. The retreat was held at Bekwai, Ghana, this April. The theme was “Reviving Women through Prayer.”

The women not only reached up to God for His blessings, but also reached across to help those present who were in need. A donation of $2500 was given to the needy widows.

There was joy on every face. The women renewed their devotion to God, lighting a candle to symbolize their commitment.

Source: West-Central Africa Division WM department

Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division (SID)  

Women Take a Stand against Abuse

As part of the Enditnow program the women of the Botswana Union under the leadership of  the WM Department organized a march through the city of Gaborone, and presented a petition to the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs of Botswana.

Various departments of the church joined the women in speaking out against this abuse. Mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, pastors, Shepherdess, Pathfinders—all participated.

At the conclusion, everybody paused for a few minutes to remember those affected by the violence and those who have died due to violence. 

By Susan Williams, Botswana Union Women’s Ministries director

Euro-Africa Division (EUD)

Bulgarian Women in Mission

Women in our churches in Bulgaria are active. From 2007 to 2009, many have completed all four levels of the WM Leadership Certification Program. A highlight of their Women’s Ministries congress in 2011 was the presence of Heather-Dawn Small, General Conference WM Director, and Denise Hochstrasser, the new WM Director for EUD.  Enditnow has also been a success in Bulgaria, where the women have collected many signatures. The Hope Channel offered a 75-minute broadcast about enditnow in the Bulgarian language.

Challenges in Bulgaria include lack of financial resources and the large number of Roma church members, many of whom neither read nor write. Children are often married early, some as young 12. Abuse is a major problem. Women’s Ministries is working hard to implement a literacy program and sexual and health education for the Gypsy women, who often become mothers at an early age.

Source: Euro African Division WM Department