• Sisters For Christ (NAD) (07/07)
• North East Andhra Region Women's Ministries Convention (SUD) (08/06)
• Women’s Ministries Holds Workshop – Malawi Union (SID) (08/06)
• Visitors from General Conference to South Pacific Division (SPD) (10/07)
• Breaking the Silence (SAD) (11/07)
• Training the Trainers (SUD) (12/07)
• Kawdiar Women' Ministries Congress (SUD) (12/07)
• Knowing Susan Payne - A Missionary in Papua New Guinea (SPD) (03/08)
• Women’s Ministries Goat Project Update (SUD) (03/08)
• Tailoring Project Update (SUD) (03/08)
• The Commission of Status of Women (GC) (04/08)

  
  

The Malawi Union Women’s Ministries facilitated Leadership Certification Level 1 courses to 283 women during a workshop organized by South Malawi Field at Malamulo Secondary School, April 22-29, 2007.

Topics included: Visioning and Goal Setting, Organizing Retreats and Congresses, Basic Writing Skills, and Communication and Conflict Management. In addition sewing, cooking, and family life were taught to the women.

The official closing of the workshop was given by Christobel Chakwana, Deputy Director for Women Affairs in the Ministry of Women and Child Development. Chakwana was impressed with the patch work done by the women. The work depicted roles women play in Malawian Society.

Picture: Christobel Chakwana, Deputy Director for Women Affairs viewing various items made by the ladies.

Margaret Masamba
Malawi Union Women’s Ministries Director
Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division

Visitors from General Conference to South Pacific Division (SPD)

The visit of Doctor Ella Simmons (GC Vice President) and Mrs. Heather-Dawn Small (GC WM Director) was a wonderful boost of encouragement to hundreds of women throughout the South Pacific Division during the month of August. These two women of spirit visited the very red center of Australia – Ayers Rock, where the first Adventist Indigenous women’s conference was held on August 8-11, 2007. Here they met aboriginal women and heard of their concerns and joys. Small and Joy Butler (WM Director, SPD) visited Adelaide, South Australia where a revival in Women’s Ministries took place with over 200 women together with their newly-elected leader, Wendy la Drue Smith.

In Melbourne the division WM Advisory meetings were held and every leader went home inspired and encouraged with new materials, ideas and renewed passion to TOUCH A HEART and TELL THE WORLD.

New Zealand was the next stop and the three leaders shared the vision for women to reach out for Christ and to never lose their joy. Doctor Simmons and Small proceeded on to Samoa and Tahiti islands where they were warmed by the weather and the wonderful colorful hospitality of the sisters in both island nations. This visit will long be remembered and SPD is grateful for such fine women leaders who give us direction and hope for the future of the Adventist church.

By Joy Butler, SPD Women’s Ministries Director

Joy Butler and Heather-Dawn Small together with school captains at the Adelaide Adventist High School - as a result of this speaking appointment, there is a movement to have special programs for teens oganized by Women’s Ministries

Churches throughout South America are actively involved in the Breaking the Silence campaign, an initiative of the Women’s Ministries (WM) Department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church that aims at combating domestic violence.

On August 25, the scheduled date for the Abuse Prevention Emphasis Sabbath, a live program on this topic was held on the TV program, “New Time.” Participating in this program was the WM leader for the South American Division, Wiliane Marroni, as well as other participants; these included a psychologist, Tércia Barbalho; a police chief, Maria Raquel Coreggio; the editor of the children’s magazine Nosso Amiguinho (“Our Little Friend”), Sueli de Oliveira; the musical director of the Brazil Publishing House, José Newton; and Sirlei Cândida, who presented a personal experience on this topic.

Click here for more on "Breaking the Silence".

The Women's Ministries Department of Southern Asia Division is presently running 210 Adult Literacy Centers in West Bengal, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. This project aims at the wholistic empowerment of the women and their families. Their eyes are opened to see the WORD and the WORLD.

The women joyfully remark, "You have opened our eyes to see the World. We read the name board on the buses; travel on our own; sign our names in the bank vouchers, transact business, read headlines on the newspaper and on TV screen. We cannot be cheated anymore."

Healthy living is one of the major concentrations of the project. It had been the desire of the WM department to make a Flip Chart on HIV/AIDS" Truth and Consequences" to bring about an awareness among the women who attend the Adult Literacy program and those in the community. ADRA INDIA came to the aid, providing a major share of the expenses along with Hope for Humanity and Tsunami Rehabilitation Funds.

In October 2007, nearly 80 women including Women's Ministries directors, the facilitators and the supervisors were trained to use the Flip Charts in Andhra and Tamil Nadu. It was a wonderful learning experience for all the attendees. Their eyes were opened to see the truth and the consequences of this menace. These leaders will use the flip charts in their respective villages to bring awareness.

Similar training will be conducted in other places. Our sincere gratitude to our donors for making our dream come true.

by Hepzibah Kore
Women's Ministries Director, Southern Asia Division of SDA

November 14-17 were memorable days in the life of Seventh-day Adventist Women of South West India Union. A wonderful convention was led out by honorable leaders from the General Conference and the Southern Asia Division: Heather Dawn Small, GCWM director; Raquel Arrais, GCWM associate director; and Hepzibah Kore, SUD WM director.

Friday Evening during vespers, Arrais gave a heart touching message about the Holy Spirit. During the closing, the ladies held lighted candles and submitted their lives for the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

A program was presented for Sabbath School by different ladies. Revival song service, melodious special songs, feature talks, and a panel discussion were the highlights of the Sabbath School program. All of them who gathered were spiritually blessed. During the divine service Small gave an inspiring message to the1,580 people.

The afternoon program was the most beautiful part of the session. When the call came 132 people from South Kerala itself were ready for Baptism. Pastors gave baptisms four at a time in the big pond arranged for this special meeting. Bibles were given as gift for all the baptismal candidates.

During the congress, Small, Arrais, and Kore visited self-employment projects such as detergent making, candle making, goat farms, and tailoring projects. All the Ladies are waiting for the next Congress. We thank our Lord Almighty!

by Annamma Jacob
Women's Ministries, South Kerala

Every step of my journey to the mission field has been a learning experience in trusting God. From childhood as I listened to records of bible stories of Noah, Daniel and David, God planted a deep desire to share His love, grace and mercy with others. Over the years, He has provided many surprising avenues for ministry.

As a young registered nurse being married to a pilot, I thought surely we would serve the Lord overseas. However, opportunities for such service during the 1980’s were very limited. The years passed quickly. My “mission” service changed from nursing to homeschooling mom to Development Director of Adventist Frontier Missions.

Then in 2007, with both of our girls in adulthood and with fifty years of God’s refinement, we received a call from the Seventh-day Adventist Church World Headquarters to serve Him overseas in Papua New Guinea. Over the years, I’ve learned that God’s timing is perfect. And that He delights in our submission to His presence. I can hardly wait to see what He has in mind for us here in PNG.

Celina’s goat yielded two kids. She sold one for Rs.1,000.00. Now she is able to buy her monthly ration from the Government store. She also bought a new kerosene stove for the house.

Varalakshmi is from Kayathoor. Her husband Shankar is a farmer. He suffers from diabetes and severe kidney problems and he cannot work regularly. They have three children. Varalakshmi finds it very difficult to shoulder all the responsibilities alone. She is the sole breadwinner of the family. This family is very grateful for the goat. The goat has yielded a kid now. Usually the goat yields twice a year. The second yield will be twins. She expects two kids the next time, which will be of much use to their family’s basic needs. She is thankful to the Lord for all the help given to her through these sponsors.

Chitra was deserted by her husband for delivering a second female child. The family had no source of income. She was managing the affairs of the home, doing some petty work here and there. The church offered her a sewing machine. She learned to stitch and now she stitches nice dresses and earns Rs.1500 monthly. She is able to look after the children in a better way. She and her two daughters thank the church for providing such a great help for their family.

Utrah Paul, a mother of two children, is excited to have a sewing machine provided by the church. Her husband is a daily wage laborer with irregular work. It was very difficult for them to make both ends meet. When she received the sewing machine, she took up classes in tailoring. Now she is able to stitch dresses and earns well. She is excited to say that she now buys milk, rice, and vegetables to feed her children. She uses all her free time to stitch and earns Rs.1500 monthly. She gives a faithful tithe. Now they are very happy and starving no more.

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