South Pacific Division: Project EDEN
South Pacific Division: Project EDEN
EDEN, a project in the South Pacific Division, provides a safe environment for young women to talk about issues that come with being a woman; The program is divided, giving a day for 13-16 year olds and a day for those 16 and older.
EDEN is a young women's event with a focus on holistic health and wellbeing. Funding has been given from ADRA (Adventist Development Relief Agency) and from the Health Department to provide a space were young women can be informed and explore issues that directly relate to their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing from an Adventist worldview.
The program covers spiritual, emotional, and physical health. The questions addressed relate to parents, sexual health, depression, pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and suicide. This event is unique as it provides a safe environment without authority figures or boys present, and where girls can really talk about the issues that they face.
The event name EDEN represents the Hebrew translation which means delight. More importantly, Eden is where God created the first man and especially significant to our project where He formed the first woman: Eve.
In Eden woman was one with God: Eve was perfect in body, spirit, and soul; she was exactly how God hoped, intended, and created her to be. Eden is also the place where woman made the ultimate choice-a choice between life and death.
This is the ultimate goal for all the girls involved in this event. Eden will be a place where their full potential in all aspects can be revealed, where they can accept that they have been redeemed from their "out of Eden" state and choose to restore Eden in their lives. Eden is where they can make their own ultimate choice, to choose health-to choose life!
One of the girls who went to EDEN shared with her parents the struggles another young friend was having with depression; she reported that she knew what to say to her friend because of what she learned at EDEN.
Source: SPD Women's Ministries
Focus on the News
FOCUS ON THE NEWS
Remembering Jim Cress
James Andrew Crest
August 30, 1949 - November 26, 2010
James A. Cress, 60, Ministerial Secretary for the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists since 1992, died on the evening of November 26, 2009, at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland.
"Cress was a great support to Women's Ministries, encouraging women everywhere to use every available gift and resource for hastening the great day when Jesus returns. We thank Jim for his vision, his voice, his love, his passion, and his personal financial support to the women around the world," says Raquel Arrais, General Conference Women's Ministries associate director.
Heather-Dawn Small, General Conference Women's Ministries director said, "One thing I thank God for each day is for the support that my brothers in the church and in church leadership give to Women's Ministries. There is one man who is a great example of the support our brothers give us, and that man was Jim Cress. Elder Cress was a friend, a counselor, and a colleague; but more than that he was a man of God. A man who was not afraid to stand up for what he believed in, and he believed that God has called women to serve side by side with their brothers to finish God's work in this world. He spoke out many times in support of women in ministry, women in leadership, women in service, and I thank God for this man, His son, His leader. Elder Cress will be missed, but our lives are greatly blessed because he touched them. "I thank God every time I remember you..." (Phil 1:3).
Training for SUCCESS
Euro-Africa Division
In October the fourth and last Women's Ministries leadership certification level for women and pastors´ wives with leadership potential was held in the city of Sofia, Bulgaria. In addition to certificates, 52 women received lots of love, encouragement, and support from Christiane Vertallier, Women´s Ministries director of the Euro-Africa Division.
The women feel more confident and stronger as leaders in the church. "We ask God to open many ways and doors before us and the people we work with in order to ‘touch hearts and tell ,the world' about the great sacrifice of Jesus. We long to lead many souls to God´ s kingdom which starts here and now," according to one of the attendees.
-Source: Sofia Emilia Stoykova
Inspired for MINISTRY
East-Central Africa Division
The fourth West Congo Union Women Ministries Congress was held in Université Pédagogique Nationale, in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of 
CONGO in August. More than 500 women attended and every day at least 70 men visited.
The theme was "Daughters of God: High Purpose in Life and Noble Destiny." The speakers came from the West Congo Union Mission office and some specialists from the UN Gender Office, the National Election Commission, and the Congo Lay Organization. The topics addressed included prayer, gender based violence, self esteem, and finances. Many workshops provided time for sharing and testimonies by the women.
The program finished with a parade of women in uniform from all the districts with their young women in youth uniform; the program ended with the distribution of certificates.
-Source: Aurelie Dipo Mugiraneza, WCUM WM Director
Inspiration for You: Simple Inspirations for the New Year
INSPIRATION FOR YOU
Simple Inspirations for the New Year
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27
"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." Martin Luther King Jr.
"I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much." Mother Teresa
"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." Is 41:10,
"Consecrate yourself to God in the morning; make this your very first work." Ellen White
"I find rest in God; only He gives me hope." Psalms 62:5 (NCV)
enditnow
by the numbers
140 million
Estimated number of the girls and women who have been subject to female genital mutilation
1 in 7 girls
In developing world gets married before her fifteenth birthday
1 in 3 women
Has been beaten, coerced into sex, or abuse in some way, most often by someone she knows for more information go to: http://www.enditnow.org/
New Year 2010
• Spend time with God
• Pray more
• Help someone
• Be a Bible reader
• Invest in your health
• Exercises your brain
• Do your best
• Love and forgive
New Year Greetings: Favorite Bible Promises
Thankfulness
Heather-Dawn Small
"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy" Phil 1:3-5
Courage
Raquel Arrais
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
Faithfulness
Melanie Ossandon
"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.." Proverbs 3:3
Protection
Judith Mwansa
"The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." Proverbs 18:10
Are You a Leader?
Ellen White's Leadership Principles on PRAYER
The leader sees in every difficulty a call to prayer: "The path of [women] who are placed as leaders is not an easy one. But they are to see in every difficulty a call to prayer" (Prophets and Kings, 31).
The leader prays for a quick mind, a large heart, and a tender spirit: "The wisdom that Solomon desired above riches, honor, or long life, God gave him. His petition for a quick mind, a large heart, a tender spirit was granted" (Prophets and Kings, 31).
The leader's power and strength for service come through prayer: "Without this daily communion with God no human can gain power for Service" (Review and Herald, 1910).
The leader's age, power, and position don't guarantee holiness of character: "Position does not give holiness of character. It is by honoring God and obeying His commandments that a man is truly great" (Prophets and Kings, 30, 31).
Source: Ellen White on Leadership by Cindy Tutsch
- "The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just. The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip" Psalms 37:30-31 (NIV)
- "He who endures to the end will be saved." Matthew 24:13 (NIV)
- "Through Christ we feel certain before God.... It is God who makes us able to do all that we do." 2 Corinthians 3:4-5 (NCV)
- "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)
- "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you" Psalms 32:8 (NIV)
Prayer Corner
- Planning time for Women's Ministries directors
- Peace and healing for women
Calendar
February 1 Statistical Reports Due
March 6 Human Rights Day
March 7 Women's International Day of Prayer
June 12 Women's Ministries Emphasis Day
June 23-July3 General Conference Session
August 28 Abuse Prevention Day
October 1 Devotional Book Deadline
