GC Women's Ministries Newsletter                                                                 March 2001

Editorial. . . Dr. Linda Koh Women's Ministries Director Southern Asia-Pacific Division
Little Things

He was a very tall, very important policeman, with a bright blue suit and a row of shining brass buttons. And she was an old, old woman with withered cheeks and bright blue eyes, and an apron into which she kept putting things as she gathered them from the street down in the crowded slum districts of London.

The policeman had a duty to perform. He had to see what it was that the old, old woman was collecting, so he asked if he might look into her apron.

"Oh, no, please!" She begged. "It isn't anything of any worth. Nobody would want it. I know it isn't anything important at all, sir."

"But let me see it," the man insisted.

Finally she opened the faded apron and the officer's eyes saw a pile of little broken chips of glass.

"But what are you doing with them?" he asked. I thought you had something valuable.

"I was only picking up the glass to save the feet of the children who play here," she explained. "You see, there isn't any grass around and there aren't any parks. This is the only playground, and I don't want them to cut their feet."

It was a little thing to do, but it was a wonderful and beautiful thing! After all, though we may not all serve in high positions, we may all pick up glass. We may do the simple thing and the humble thing to help others.

Unfortunately, many times we wait for big things to happen. We wait for the church to launch big evangelistic meetings before we volunteer to help. Some of us would join only big and important singing groups before we use our voices to witness for the Lord. Still others wait to be invited to leadership positions before we get actively involved in reaching out.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 25:21, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!"

A woman helps babysit for her neighbor who has just fallen ill; another visits an elderly couple to pray with them; still another young lady teacher spends two hours each week to teach the children in the neighborhood new songs and stories about Jesus. These are just little things. Do they amount to much?

Back in the olden days a Roman soldier could command a Jew to carry his burden for a mile, according to the law. And so it happened one day that a Roman soldier commanded a Jew in a harsh and unkind voice, "Come here, you dog, and carry my pack for a mile." The Jew, weary and worn though he was, lifted the Roman soldier's heavy pack to his tired back.

The mile was walked in silence. As they neared the end, they paused, but not a soul was in sight, and so the lowly Jew offered to walk another mile with the hardhearted Roman. This only made the soldier angry, and he cried, "Have you gone mad, to mock me so, when you know that I can only compel you to go with me one mile."

Silently the Jew stood. Then with a kindly smile he answered, "Before I met the lowly Nazarene I used to hate to bear a Roman's load, but I have seen and followed Him, and from Him I learned how He glorified the little things that count so much in lessening life's miseries."

The Roman soldier tried to speak, but no longer was his tone harsh and cruel. With head bowed and eyes full of tears he said, "For many years I've sought for such a man. Pray tell me more. I, too, would follow Him."

It wasn't much. Really just a little thing, this offer to go the second mile, but it won a soul for Christ.

As we continue in this new year, may it be our New Year's resolution that we get involved in both big things and little things. Don't downgrade the little things you do. Be happy in doing the humble things to help someone in need. If every woman reaches out to others through little acts of kindness and love, can you imagine what the world would be like? What the church would be like? We would be a loveable people! We would win others to our Savior. We would be ready to shoulder bigger responsibilities for Jesus.

Yes, Women's Ministries needs women to reach out and touch the lives of others through the little things they do. Let's start today for "little becomes much when placed in the Master's hand," as He opens great opportunities to serve.

News from the world of . . .

Inter American Division: The women of the Caribbean Union have published a book of inspirational poems and short stories. Called From the Heart of Women, the book is written by women from that union "for women of the world." You can get more information by contacting the Women's Ministries department of the Caribbean Union Conference, P O. Box 221, Port of Spain, Trinidad, West Indies.

North American Division: The women of the Southeastern Conference are taking the gospel commission seriously and believe that it is gender inclusive. Because of this, this past year they have had 68 baptisms. These were the result of opening a community service center in Fort-Meyers; forty-days of prayer in the North Orlando church; three weeks-of-prayer; and four evangelistic series preached by women. The conference director, Nicolle Brisé, reports full support from the conference administration.

Southern Asia Division: More than 70 women and 15 men attended meetings introducing Women's Ministries to the Gapalpur-on-Sea area of Orissa, India. Literacy in that area is low and some of the literate women are interested and willing to conduct literacy classes if they can be provided with writing material, lamps, kerosene, etc.

South Pacific Division: Rhoda Todd from the Wabag District and Enga Province of Papua New Guinea has sent a 12 page report of happenings in her area. Women's Ministries was organized there just last year. Because they did not know much yet about WM, they said not much happened for the last International Women's Day of Prayer, but their report shows that miracles are taking place. The ladies in that district were asked to take two days in a week to spend time with God. One of those days they are to come to the church around 4:30 or 5:00 in the morning to spend time in prayer, praise, and Bible study until daybreak. The other day, they may also choose their time of day and activity. This may explain the miracles!

Trans-European Division: Olga Murga, who worked with Women's Ministries as an evangelist in the Euro-Asia Division, is now living in Israel and continuing her evangelism. In January, 8 were baptized from two of her meetings. She is hoping to have meetings in the summer for Muslims. She must travel by public transportation and has been working without salary since October.

The next Women's Ministries retreat in Finland will be broadcast over the Internet on March 17. This is the first time to our knowledge that a women's program has been available in this way. Some of the program will be English and some in Finnish, translated into English. The special features will include Anne-May Wollen, the WM director for TED; Marjut Hakkinen from the Finnish National Opera; and Dr. Outi Paavilainen. The URL is http://www.media7.adventtikirkko.
fi/live.html.