General Conference Women's Ministries Newsletter :  May 1999

Editorial. . .by Mary Maxson WM Director North American Division
My Confidence in God's Competence

Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. We are not qualified to take credit for anything our qualification comes from God, who has indeed qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of letter but of spirit; for the letter brings death, but the Spirit gives life 2 Cor. 3:4-6,(NAB).

But God, I argued, I'm just not capable of accomplishing this enormous task. I'm so inadequate, incapable, and incompetent. I continued wrestling with the official call Elder Al McClure extended to me to be the NAD Women's Ministries director.

Friday, Dec. 18, 1988, I was rushing out the door for the Christmas holidays and 10 days of rest and relaxation with family. Elder McClure appeared at my office at Adventist World Radio and my life seemed to turn upside down, inside out, and every which way. Lord, this wasn't my plan for the Christmas holidays, I mused. I was confident that I was incompetent for this task.

Christmas came and went. I vaguely remember details the wonderful taste of the family's traditional "turkey," piping hot mashed potatoes, dressing & gravy, topped with cranberry sauce not forgetting the delightful flavor of pumpkin pie.

While I stared into space, a family member commented, "Mary, you seem preoccupied." I just grinned and groaned.

Whenever God's will is in complete control, he removes all pressure.   He will reach to the remotest star and to the ends of the earth to assist us with all of His almighty power.       Oswald Chambers

God convicted me to accept His call. Reflecting on 1998 as is my custom, I began scanning my devotional journal, reading through my struggles, my apparent spiritual growth, my painful digressions yet hanging on to God's promises.  Ah! Dec. 1, 1998 this is what I wrote: "In reading on this Christian perfection today the one sentence that stands out is that my life produces a yearning for God  in the lives of

others, not admiration for myself." Ouch! That really spoke to me! And then "Thoughts about myself hinder my usefulness to God. God's purpose is not to perfect me to make me a trophy in His show case; He is getting me to the place where He can use me. Let Him do what He wants" (Dec 2, MUFHH*). I give you permission Lord. Go for it! Whatever that is I'm not just sure! I'll just hang onto You for dear life!!! That's all!

I consecrate my life to You today. I will follow Your footsteps today You have just given me today! This moment!

God knew what was going to happen on December 18, 1998. He was preparing me.

Is God still God? You bet! Is He still competent to handle my life? That's His promise because He's competent.

Adapted. Used by permission Women's Intuition, May 1999; *My Utmost For His Highest, Oswald Chambers.

 End

SPD: The demand for reservations was so great at the first WM retreat in the Victorian Conference, Australia, that women had to be accommodated in the luggage room of the resort hotel. Along with lectures by Christian counselors, nutritionists and social workers, the 160 women enjoyed therapeutic services offered by the resort. There was also a sacred concert featuring an Asian chorale and Fijian singers, which raised money for a women's refuge center.

More than 3000 women attended a Women's Ministries congress in Papua New Guinea last fall, the first in the province. On the final Sabbath, 37 were baptized. The Prime Minister's wife, Raruu Skate, opened the congress; the Governor-General's wife, Agita Atopare and the Parliament Speaker's wife, Doris Pundara, also attended.

TED: The women of the Oxford Church, England, planned a full day for Women's Ministries Day; from a special Sabbath school, to Annette Johnson speaking for church, to an afternoon program with a dramatized version of the Bible story of the wedding at Cana. Many non-church member ladies from the "Healthy Living Supper Club" a vegetarian group organized by the WM leader Junko Nakai were invited and attended.

IAD: Iris Henry, WM director of the West Indies Union reports that there is a lot of activity among the women in her union. In September the women in the Cayman Islands met for a weekend seminar and retreat with the theme "Women as God Sees Them." They celebrated the centennial of Women's Ministries and honored 24 outstanding women, presenting each with a special certificate and challenging all to greater involvement in the church.

In the East Jamaica Conference, the women celebrated a special weekend too with the theme "The Hour Is Late: It's '98." The weekend included a baptism of 13 persons and reclamation of 12.

SSD: Under the leadership of the WM leader, the women of Bacolod City, Philippines, have started a ministry for the widows of the community, helping those who come to the center for food, lodging, emotional comfort and education and training. The WM raises money to help those in desperate situations, and helps find homes, jobs, food, training and education. Five women have been baptized already as a result of this ministry.

Women's Ministries has also begun a jail ministry for juvenile delinquents. There has been a great deal of skepticism by the youth, but the women have persisted providing materials for them to read, writing notes and letters, and holding worship and Bible studies. Five have been baptized; others are waiting until they can witness real changes in the lives of those baptized.

SAD: Women's Ministries announces two new releases: a CD of 12 songs for women to be used in WM meetings (two songs go along with this year's church theme: Experiencing the Fellowship of the Family) and a video about non-violence in the home.