Women leaders from across the South Pacific Division came together in Brisbane to learn how to share their faith with others. The conference was hosted by the SPD Women’s Ministries department with every nation of the division represented by the 600 participants.

 

 

When Erna Johnson, SPD WM director, presented her dream for the division-wide congress to the division president, Dr Barry Oliver, his first remark was: "Can I come?" Erna reports, “He and his wife Julie were with us for the whole time. What a privilege it was for him to be with us and for us to see his interest in what the women in the South Pacific want to do!”

Dr. Kendra Haloviak Valentine, professor of Biblical Studies at La Sierra University in California, enriched the spiritual tone of the meeting. Guest speakers included Heather-Dawn Small and Raquel Arrais of GC WM. Seminar topics included spiritual gifts, friendship evangelism, impacting families, how to study the Bible and to give Bible studies.

The congress theme—Touch a Heart, Tell the World—appropriately described the post-conference goal of sharing God’s word with others. The leaders went home on fire for God.

One-half of the Sabbath offering was donated to a brand-new magazine for teenage girls and young women, published by five Adventist women in South Pacific Division.  Read about GIGI magazine (Gorgeous in God's Image) at www.5sistersministry.com.au.

Focus On the News

Christ's method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, "Follow Me."

Ministry of Healing, p. 143

 

West-Central Africa Division

Learning Christ’s Method in Nigeria

More than 7,000 women came together in celebration during the WM congress hosted by both Nigeria unions. Seminars equipped, trained, and inspired women to see Christ’s method of reaching people where they are. The congress was punctuated with effective seasons of prayer, times of refreshing, and satisfying fellowship with one another.

Using the congress theme—Touch a Heart, Tell the World—Raquel Arrais, GC WM, encouraged the women through her Sabbath sermon to spend more time with God in prayer and to touch hearts for Christ everywhere they go. With committed hearts, participants accepted her challenge.

Honored guest, Nkechi Okemini Mba, President of the National Council of Women Societies, officiated at the opening ceremony, a parade of participants in the colorful, festive attire of many cultures.

Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division

Angola – Baptizing at WM Meetings

Homes of Hope and Healing small groups influenced 93 women to be baptized at two WM Congresses. One congress was held like camp meeting, tents for meeting and lodging, because no facility in Angola was large enough to house 14,000 women.

Northern Asia-Pacific Division

Korea - Big City in Their Backyard

Volunteer leaders in the Korean Adventist Women’s Association (KAWA) are preparing to reach hundreds of residences rising in a brand-new housing development in the backyard of the Women’s Happiness Center and just about ready for occupancy. The center keeps a busy daily schedule, and KAWA’s new president Shin Young Sil reports the need for a larger space to extend their service to the community when implementing the initiative for evangelism to the big cities. KAWA is also busy training women leaders to step up as WM directors, positions now held by men in the Korea Union Conference.

Inspiration for You

 

Our sisters, the youth, the middle-aged, and those of advanced years, may act a part in the closing work for this time; and in doing this as they have opportunity, they will obtain an experience of the highest value to themselves. In forgetfulness of self, they will grow in grace.

Evangelism, p. 468

East-Central Africa Division (ECD)

In September Debbie Maloba, ECD WM director, oversaw WM congresses in Burundi and Tanzania and traveled to Kenya and Zanzibar accompanied by Raquel Arrais, GC WM associate director, and Dr. Katia Reinert, NAD Health Ministries director. Training seminars promoted healthful living, and wellness in mental and emotional health; inspired and equipped women for sharing their faith; and emphasized Revival and Reformation.

 

 

BURUNDI - Renewed and Committed to Serve

The Burundi WM congress goal—Revival and Reformation—was the catalyst to NURTURE more than 200 women, many of them local church WM leaders, by encouraging them to develop their relationship with Jesus, to spend time daily reading the Bible, and to engage in vibrant prayer life.

Women invited from other churches joined the congress for worship services Sabbath where Raquel Arrais appealed to participants to commit themselves to constant prayer and study of God’s word. Women in Burundi face many challenges, but they opened their hearts to be filled with the Holy Spirit, returning home spiritually renewed to nurture others.

 

KENYA - Giving a Future to Maasai Girls

Kajiado Adventist Educational & Rehab Centre brings hope and healing to Maasai girls, EMPOWERING them to graduate from university, to make wise decisions about their future, and to become change agents in their families and communities.

Founded in 2000 with fourteen girls in residence, the Kajiado Centre rescues and provides education to young Maasai girls who would otherwise never attend school due to destitution, being orphaned or early child forced marriage and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

Kajiado Centre needs financial help to build more classrooms and dormitories for 200 residents and to pay teachers and counselors who far too often volunteer their own time and energy to keep the Centre open. Find out more at http://kajiadoadventistcenter.org

 

TANZANIA - Filled with Joy for Service

 Led by Winfrida Aneth Mitekaro, Tanzania Union WM director, Adventist women raised more than 5 million shillings for OUTREACH. They dreamed big and plan to build an entrepreneur training center in Dar Es Salaam.

To open the Tanzania WM congress and to inaugurate the building fund, government officials Dr. Fenela Mukangala, Minister for Sport, Culture, and Youth, accompanied by Dr. Ernet Zayumba, who represented the Minister for Gender and Family, presented 1 million shillings as a contribution toward the 750 million needed to complete the project.

The congress theme—Revived for Service—was used by Raquel Arrais in a stirring Sabbath sermon emphasizing personal revival to impact others for Christ. “We need the presence of the Holy Spirit. We need to come empty and God will fill us,” she said. Attendees aren’t the same after participating in the conference. Filled with joy, they committed to serve the Lord always.

 

 

10 Days of Prayer, January 9-19, 2013 | Themes based on 2 Peter 1:1-11

Day 1                     Multiplied Grace

Day 2                     Powerful Promises

Day 3                     Foundation of Faith

Day 4                     Excellence in Morals

Day 5                     Knowing God Fully

Day 6                     Essential Self-Control

Day 7                     Patient Perseverance

Day 8                     Growing in Godliness

Day 9                     Brotherly Kindness

Day 10                   Loving Supremely

Sabbath               Rejoicing in God-Given Results

 

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PRAYER CORNER

• 10 Days of Prayer
• Evangelism in the Big Cities
• REVIVED BY THE WORD
• Homes of Hope and Healing Ministry

 

CALENDAR

•  November 25:  International Day of Elimination of Violence against Women
•  November 19:  World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse
• December 1:  World AIDS Day
• December 3:  International Day of Persons with Disabilities
• February 3:  Statistical Report due to GCWM Office