Women Enthusiastic in South America
Women Enthusiastic in South America
A Small Project Grows: The Northeast
Brazil Union Conference goal is to evangelize the city of Montadas, in Paraíba.
Women participated enthusiastically. Beginning with the topic Breaking the Silence, about abuse, they
involved local schools and authorities. The original small group grew into a
church with 50 
members.
The Same Hope: Promoted by the Southeast Brazil Union Mission, the Women’s Ministries Council gathered with the theme, “The Same Hope as the Pioneers.” This event strengthened the hope and faith of the more than five thousand women who gathered. Many Women’s Ministries leaders participated, including Raquel Arrais from the General Conference; Williane Marroni, SAD WM director; Sara Lima from the Southeast Region; Pastor Erton Köhler, president of SAD; and teenager Amy Gonçalves, who touched hearts by revealing the extreme fragility of her own health. The program strengthened the women’s commitment to evangelism.
Health Fair Leads to Conversions: In Peru, the Ministerio Vida Plena
[Full Life Ministry] focuses on women’s health through Health Fairs. They also
offer leadership courses and courses related to income generation. On Women’s Ministries Sabbath, the focus is
on spiritual health, and on Sunday, Health Fairs emphasize body and mind care. These
contacts lead to Bible studies and baptisms. For example, a young man who wanted
to know more about health because the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit is now
a member.
The Great Hope Project: March was an intense month in São Paulo. We
started the “Great Hope Project” in our churches, praying for those who would
become agents of hope, for those who
would receive the books, and for the Holy Spirit to touch the hearts of those
receiving the material. Then an army
of women spread out to take hope to every home in South America. Thousands of
books, smiles and prayers were used to proclaim that our great hope is
Jesus. On March 26, the first lady of Peru,
Nadine Heredia Alarcón, received the book The
Great Hope.
Focus on the News
Focus on the News
Euro-Asia Division
Praise the Lord, a Missionary Congress
was held in Chernovtsy City, with the theme “Touch a heart. Tell the world.”
Women of Bukovinskaya Conference composed a hymn especially for this congress.
There was also a fancywork festival, featuring embroidery, compositions from sweets and flowers, creative paper goods, paintings, and hooked and needlework items. Women voted on their favorites. Later every sister who took part received a diploma, and the top three winning items were marked and made keepsakes. There was also a demonstration of vegetarian cooking, with tasting, evaluation, and awards. It was a joy to meet and encourage women from that conference and to gain many new ideas.
Euro-Africa Division
Three Leaders in Italy
God is answering prayers. In EUD there are now three WM leaders: Abigaela Trofin for Northern Italy, Santa Abiusi for Southern Italy, and Katia Montalbano for Sicily.
Since there is still no leader for central Italy, Franca Zucca, Women’s Ministries Director for the Italian Union, is employed for both ADRA and Women’s Ministries. She states that 80% of her invitations come from Women’s Ministries, and 20% from ADRA. WM prayers, programs and initiatives are bearing fruit. Women are longing for programs especially for them. A spiritual revival, urgently needed in Italy, will come as we pray earnestly and study the Bible.
Greater Middle East Union
WM Retreat in Tunisia
In March, women from Tunisia gathered to renew their relationship with Christ. Damary, the local WM leader, invited Denise, the EUD WM leader, and Aranka, the GMEU WM leader, as the guest speakers. In a beautiful resort by the ocean, amid gorgeous tropical flowers and plants, white beaches, and turquoise water, the women were inspired to "Fall in Love with Jesus" again. This multi-denominational (Adventists, Muslims, Pentecostals, Evangelicals) and international group of women (from 15 countries), were determined to form an abiding relationship with their Creator and Redeemer. Morning and evening devotions by the sea filled our hearts with new hope and enthusiasm. We learned how to focus on the important instead of the urgent, and wrote love letters to God. Pray for the women in Tunisia, who love God and are ready to pay the highest price to follow their Savior.
East Central-Africa Division
Outreach is for Everyone
An evangelistic series was held by the
women of Tanzania. Women throughout the Tanzania Union prayed for the meetings,
contributed money and Bibles, and sent one representative from each Conference/Field.
All conference/field WM directors were members of the team. The Tanzania Union Women’s Ministries
Director was the main speaker while others gave talks on health and family
life. The district pastor was very supportive. The women pleaded with the Lord
for 250 souls. They had a chain of prayer for 24 hours a day for three weeks;
every Wednesday was a day of fasting and praying. God blessed with a total of
342 souls won to Christ.
South Pacific
Division
“Ministry Chef” Competition
The Parramatta
WM department is full of enthusiastic women with an even more enthusiastic
leader. Beryl Landers and her team hold meetings each month and have organized
small groups as well. Their motto for the coming two years is "Make
a Difference".
Recently they invited women to a hold a cook fest with a purpose: the Ministry Chef 2012 Competition! The group of 15 women of all ages (9 to 60+) were divided into teams of two. With the basic recipe, they had an hour to do the cooking. Results were judged on taste and presentation. The women enjoyed it so much they plan to do it every year. The dishes were later frozen and delivered to people in difficult circumstances.
Inspiration for You: Coping in the Presence of Grief
Inspiration for You: Coping in the Presence of Grief
Many of us feel helpless or uncomfortable when we try to comfort someone who has experienced a tremendous loss. We don’t know quite how to act or what to say. But we can learn to respond in a helpful, caring way. Consider wrong and right ways to approach the grieving.
A. Wrong: retreat in helpless silence. We may avoid referring to the tragedy, thinking, “What can I say?” or “They do not need me.” We may fear being embarrassed, thinking, “What if they/I break down?” or “I’m afraid I might cry.” Forced humor is never appropriate. Also avoid prejudging or blaming. Christ made it clear that we are not to assume someone is paying for his/her sins.
B. Right: offer solace. By listening (James 1:19), by empathizing (Romans 12:15; Galatians 6: 22), by seeking God’s wisdom (James 1:5), and by realizing it is OK to cry or just be silent together.
Definitions
Grief: A normal psychological reaction to any distressing situation in life, including loss (of spouse—by death or divorce; of home or job; limb amputation); distressing situations (rape, jail, rejection by spouse or child; break-up of a relationship; broken dreams—such as abortion or the unmet expectations of a child). Anyone can experience grief.
Bereavement: A process during which we are in the throes of the memories of the irretrievable loss.
The Bereaved: The persons who have experienced the loss.
Grief Work: A means of (a) emancipating oneself from the deceased; (b) adjusting to life without the deceased; and (c) making new relationships and attachments.
Mourning: The way we deal with our grief. It takes time for grief and mourning to subside. It is not possible, even by gallant mental effort, to drive these feelings away. People cannot just easily shake off grief. Grieving is a process. The bereaved have to complete their “grief work.” Take time to understand the process and stages of grieving.
Ideas for Bereavement
Ministry Groups
- Have a regular prayer circle.
- Memorize Bible comfort texts.
- Memorize comfort poetry/quotations.
- Learn comfort songs/hymns by heart.
- Read books and articles on stress management, grief recovery, etc.
- Attend seminars on stress management, grief recovery, etc.
- Collect/try various recipes for meals or finger foods.
- Familiarize yourself with children’s stories, songs, poems.
Source: Oh Yes We Care: A Ministry to the Bereaved by Gloria Lindsey Trotman
Health Consequences of Violence against Women and Girls
Six Issues that Impact Women Globally - ABUSE
Health Consequences of Violence against Women and Girls
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), violence against women (VAW) worldwide has serious public health implications. Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is the most common form of violence against women, and sexual violence, whether by partners, acquaintances or strangers, affects primarily women and girls. Other forms of violence against women include sexual harassment and abuse by authority figures, trafficking for forced labor or sex, and traditional practices such as forced or child marriages and dowry-related violence.
Violence Against Women remains a hidden problem, with great human and health-care costs due to underreporting. For each victim, Violence Against Women leads not only to bodily injury but also can lead to life-long disability or even death.
1 World Health Organization (2009). Women and Health Report. Geneva, Switzerland. http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2009/9789241563857_eng.pdf.
Vulnerability to disease
Compared with non-abused women, women who have suffered any kind of violence are more likely to experience serious health problems.
- Research in Norway revealed that chronic pelvic pain is significantly associated with a history of domestic violence.
- A major study in the United States found that having been the victim of childhood abuse or violent crime doubled a woman’s likelihood of suffering from severe menstrual problems, a sexually transmitted disease, or a urinary tract infection; domestic violence tripled her likelihood.
- Other research from the United States has shown that patients with irritable bowel syndrome, compared with those with the less serious inflammatory bowel disease, were more likely to have suffered severe sexual trauma, severe childhood sexual abuse or some form of sexual victimization.
Source: http://who.int/gender/violence/v8.pdf
2012 Abuse Prevention Day Packet at women.adventist.org
CALENDAR
- August 9 International Day of the World’s Indigenous People
- August 25 Abuse Prevention Emphasis Day. To download a free packet, visit adventistwomensministries.org [this info is given twice. See above Calendar. Do you want it in twice?]
PRAYER CORNER
- Abuse Prevention Emphasis Day
- Oppressed women and children
- Refugee women
- “Revived by the Word” globally
- Revival and Reformation
- “Great Controversy Project”
- Heather-Dawn Small Travel to IAD, SPD and ESD
- Raquel Arrais Travel to WAD, SPD and ECD
