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GC Women's Ministries Newsletter June 2001 |
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John 17:11 "Holy Father, keep through thine own Name those whom Thou hast given Me, that they may be one, as We are one." There we were, 15 women, representing the entire globe. We sat around one table and traded reports, stories, comments, questions, laughter, and tears. The table wasn't shrinking: why then did it seem we were getting closer and closer together as the six days of the WM Advisory went by? Considering our vastly differing backgrounds in culture, life experience, language, it was almost disconcerting to find how often we came to the same conclusions and made the same recommendations in plenary and group discussions. The overall
concerns of the church, to be addressed in the next quinquennium,
are as follows: With unity as the key factor, I wonder if our advisory perhaps demonstrated the setting in which this ideal can be achieved. In his letters Paul speaks of the believers receiving perfection, fullness, firmness, grace, faith, love, salvation, etc., "in Christ." This is the container, the exquisite, gleaming cut-glass bowl in which the ingredients of the salad are placed; retaining their God-given differences of flavour, appearance, texture, but one "in Christ," united in The Word, and in His Word. Among the things we had in common were a love for our Lord, a thirst for the truths of His Word, a dedication to mission, and a longing for His soon appearing. In Christ we're one, in 2001. And there's more. There's the dressing, which mysteriously and miraculously combines the disparate ingredients of the salad into a gastronomical delight. The unction of the Holy Spirit flows through the golden pipes (see Zechariah 4:12 and COL p 408), binding together, smoothing and enriching, the contents of the bowl. The Spirit imparts power to accept the Master's call, and to accomplish the tasks He sets for us. Could this be the winning recipe for our world-wide church? Pray God it may be so. And now, three culinary hints:
From Abidjan (Cote d'Voire), Berne (Switzerland), Brasilia (Brazil), Cape Town (South Africa), Cavite (Philippines), Harare (Zimbabwe), Hosur (India), Koyang (Korea), Miami (USA), Moscow (Russia), Silver Spring (USA), St. Albans (England), and Wahroonga (Australia), we, the women, wish for the world church full unity in Christ for this life and forever. Letters to the Editor Newsletter Dear Madam: Because the work of Women's Ministries was introduced to Inga Province in 1998, it is still a new work to us. I've tried my best to learn from others on what they are doing and when I received my first News from the World of Women's Ministries, it was a real blessing. Reading what other sisters are doing and what is happening in this department is a real blessing to me and I want to take this opportunity to thank you very much for keeping me in touch. Thank you so much and may God bless. Rhonda
J. Wera Todd
Devotional Book Dear Women's Ministries, Thank you for once again doing a beautiful job of the women's devotional book for 2001. It is a joy to see, handle and read! I pray it will be a real inspiration to so many....Thank you for all the work you do. This is a wonderful way to support women in need of education and it is a pleasure to be a part of this project.... Blessings,
Karen
Holford
Thank you for all your thoughtfulness in keeping in touch with your contributors to the Women's devotionals. Little things like being addressed in your communications by name, getting a gift copy when our contributions have been accepted, hearing about the beneficiaries of scholarships and generally conveying the feeling that you are really in touch really makes it a pleasure to put pen to paper.... Thank you,
Peggy
Mason |
News from the world of . . . Eastern Africa Division: When Jan Paulsen, president of the Adventist Church worldwide, visited Kenya in April he met 12 girls from the Kajiado Rehabilitation and Education Center for Masai girls sponsored by the Women's Ministries from the New Life Church in Nairobi. Paulsen said the visit was the highlight of his Kenya visit and offered a gift of $10,000 to establish an andowment fund for this venture. At "A Celebration of Women" held March 31 at the General Conference an offering was taken for 8 projects. $1,251 was donated toward the Masai project. Eighty-five women and thirteen men celebrated in International Women's Day of Prayer in Mmadinare in the headman's kraal in North Botswana in March. Two of the women were from the Zion Christian Church; they "shed tears of joy as they joined their Adventist sisters to pour out their hearts to the Lord," writes Priscilla Ben, the EAD WM director. The Mmadinare women also held a health seminar to sensitize women about health risks, expecially HIV/AIDS. One of the great challenges there is the care of AIDS orphans. Mrs. Wellio is the WM director of the North Botswana Field and was present for both programs. Inter-America Division: Crime is always of particular concern to women. And it is a growing problem in Jamaica. So Women's Ministries has done something about it, let by the union director, Iris Henry. More than 1400 women gathered on March 4 at the Northern Caribbean University to begin a 14-day prayer and fast aimed at combating the menace, especially violence against women. The special events connected with the program were also carried out in the island's 14 parishes, ending at the Kencot Church. North American/Southern-Asia Pacific Division: The women of the Georgia Cumberland Conference collected over $2500 at their recent retreat to help "The Haven," a women's shelter and education center in the Philippines. What a blessing! South Pacific Division: Joy Butler, SPD division director, just returned from the North New Zealand Women's Convention held near Rotorua, NZ. She reports that 195 women attended from all over the North Island. A unique feature of the weekend was the making of head wreathes of flowers. She and Kay Kuzma, another speaker for the retreat, were "crowned" with the beautiful wreaths. Butler says that "Many women went home determined to stay close to the Lord, claim His promises, and be positive." Southern Asia-Pacific Division: When you think of Global Mission Pioneers, do you only think of men going out to difficult and unentered places? Or perhaps husband and wife teams? This certainly happens. But teams of just women also go. The Adventist Review (May 10) reports that two such young women pioneers, Hla Sein May and Tun Aung Kyaw started a school project that has resulted in 13 persons being baptized in Myanmar (Burma). Over the last 9 years, Women's Ministries has awarded 40 scholarships to young women in Myanmar. |
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