Touch A Heart, Tell the World
Launching WM in Istanbul
The second weekend in May was a historical moment for WM in Turkey as we launched WM in two churches in Istanbul, Kad›köy and Taksim. Our special guests were Sr. Raquel Arrais (WM - GC) and Sr. Aranka Bajic (WM - GMEU).
The
encouraging overview of the WM by Sr. Bajic and the uplifting sermon by
Sr. Arrais made clear to both women and men that WM is truly “Women in Power
for God.” After lunch we enjoyed, and were inspired by, seminars introducing
practical ways to begin WM programs.
The next day’s topics included “Homes of Hope and Healing” and communication and conflict resolution. The Holy Spirit blessed, and a dedication prayer was said for the new WM team in Kad›köy and the Taksim church, that they will build fruitful teams to bless their communities.
In this large country with few members, only Izmir has had WM, and only since 2009. Our sisters and their friends have been invited for various activities and seminars. The next program, for church members and guests, is a walk through a prayer garden.
Ute Alkan, WM, Izmir,Turkey
East Mediterranean WM Retreat: Here Am I, Send Me
With the theme “Here Am I, Send Me,” the East
Mediterranean Field celebrated a weekend retreat at the Evangelical Center in
Dhour Choueir, Lebanon. The Women’s Ministries in Lebanon shared the joy and
warmth of spiritual fellowship with 41 students, friends and members.
Friday vespers was full of happy songs and thanksgiving. Sister Sana Issa welcomed the group, and Sister Raquel Arrais, who was on her first visit to Lebanon, gave the sermonette on the theme, “Here am I, send me.”
Sabbath morning, friends and members from all the churches in Lebanon joined us, enjoying not only the fellowship, but also the spiritual messages and the beautiful scenery. The afternoon featured workshops by the visiting Andrews University Team, a seminar by Sister Raquel, and a prayer walk with Sister Aranka.
Sunday’s lively group discussions considered ways to implement the “Nurture, Empower and Outreach” WM emphasis in the diverse Lebanese communities. The dedication prayer encouraged us to be ready to answer, “Here am I, send me!”
Sana Issa, WM Leader, Lebanon
Focus on the News
Focus on the News
Nurture: Greater
Middle East Union: Morocco WM Enjoys Sabbath “Flight”
Our WM
Sabbath here in Morocco was like a flight to heavenly places. The welcome was given
by the co-pilot of WM, Florentina, and the special music assured us that our
Captain would take us safely Home. To learn how to travel safely to our
destination, she organized our international passengers into three groups, one speaking
French, one English, and one Spanish. During the seminars, they learned ways to
share the love of our heavenly Father and our Captain.
Stories of the miracles performed by our heavenly Captain reminded us that our lives have also been touched by His miraculous grace and tender care. He had touched our souls, forgiven our offenses, healed our diseases and can take us safely home. Because of this, we all, WM passengers, crew and co-pilots, exalted once again the Name of our Father and our Captain with thanksgiving and joyful songs.
EMPOWER:
Northern Asia-Pacific Division – Women’s Ministries in Korea Unite to Serve
The Korean Union Conference (KUC) recently elected a
new Women's Ministries Director, Ms Ahn Jae Soon, a trained counselor and
family therapist. She brings with her a range of skills in dealing with women’s
issues. However, under her are five men elected who serve as Women's Ministries
directors for the local conferences. These five men hold a variety of
responsibilities in addition to WM, and will depend on women volunteers to do
much of the work. This has been the situation in Korea since Women's Ministries
became a department at KUC. Hence, to support the work of Women's Ministries,
the Korean Adventist Women's Association (KAWA) was formed.
A core group of faithful women keep this association running, and recently convened their 6th session in April in cooperation with KUC Women’s Ministries Department. About 280 people attended this triennial session to seek revival, listen to mission reports, share experiences, and encourage one another. The group elected Deaconess Shin Young Sil as their new president, taking the responsibility from Lee Young Ja (Division Women's Ministries Director, 2000-2005). Ms Shin appealed to the group to strengthen their faith through constant prayer and study of God's Word.
OUTREACH:
United to Reach Others in Euro-Asia Division
"Touch a
heart, tell the world” was the motto for the Women’s Ministries and Shepherdess
Association Congress at the Kuban-Black Sea Oblast.
It was open to every sister who serves women or helps her husband in evangelism, with more than 65 dedicated women attending.
WM and Shepherdess directors expressed appreciation to the group, and underlined the significance of service to which the Lord has called each one. Most memorable was the opportunity for every sister to retire to a prayer room to open her pain and joy, need and gratitude to our Heavenly Father.
The meeting was inspired with the spirit of cooperation, love and desire “to give life warmth, love and sweetness in our Christ Savior to all your neighbors.” At the conclusion, Lubovi Siminuk, WM Director, and Ivan Manilich, president of Kuban-Black Sea Oblast, called all gathered to carry the good news about Jesus.
The Kuban-Black Sea Mission
Every soul is fully known to Jesus as if he
were the only one for whom the Saviour died. The
distress of every one touches
His heart. The cry for aid reaches His ear.
The Desire of Ages, p. 480
Inspiration for You: Women and Depression
Inspiration for You
Depression is a common mental disorder with manifestations such as depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy, and poor concentration.
Why is it important to talk about depression? According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and World Health Organization (WHO):
- Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide, surpassed only by cardiovascular disease.
- Of all mental health conditions, depression is the most prevalent, with 20-25% of all people experiencing it.
- It is the leading global cause of years of health lost to disease, the #1 cause of loss of health in middle/high income countries, and the #8 cause of loss of health in low-income countries.
- In developing countries, depression is nearly twice as prevalent as in developed countries.
- It affects 350 million people worldwide.
- It is expected to be the #1 worldwide disease in the next ten years.
- It costs over $100 billion dollars in treatment, disability and lost productivity in United States each year.
- It affects up to 1 in 3 people who see an Internal Medicine physician in the US.
- Nearly 99 percent of people by age 70 experience situational depression due to serious loss.
- Women are more at risk. Studies show that women are two to three times more likely than men to have depression, and 1 in 4 women will suffer from clinical depression sometime during their lives, versus 1 in 8 men.
Depression occurs in persons of all genders, ages, and backgrounds.
Removing the
Stigma
It is important to become educated regarding recognition, prevention, and better management of this common illness so hope can be restored beyond the pain and tears that accompany the disorder. If we ourselves are not personally struggling with depression, we may interact daily with someone who is—a relative, friend, coworker, or fellow church member. So what can we do to help? We should start by discarding our own misconceptions about depression and understand that it is a disease. We must recognize and treat depression in the same compassionate and nonjudgmental manner as we would treat any other disease.
Download “Beyond Tears,” a seminar about depression at women.adventist.org
Top 10 SYMPTOMS of Depression
- Persistent sad, anxious or “empty feelings”
- Feeling of guilt, worthlessness, and/or helplessness
- Irritability, restlessness
- Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex
- Fatigue and decreased energy
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, making decisions
- Insomnia, early morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping
- Overeating or appetite loss
- Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts
- Persistent aches or pains, headaches
I know your tears; I also have wept. The griefs
that lie too deep to be breathed into
any human ear, I know. Think not that you
are desolate and forsaken. Though your pain
touch no responsive chord in any
heart on earth, look unto Me, and live.
The Desire of Ages, p. 483
Are You Blessed?
If you can read this, you are blessed. If you know Jesus, you are doubly blessed. And if you read Blessed, and if you share it, you will continue to be blessed and so will others. A blessing for every day of the year.
Blessed is the title of the 2013 Women’s Ministries devotional book for women. I feel blessed to have been able to prepare the many devotionals submitted by hundreds of women from around the world. What a joy to read how God has blessed these women—with many different challenges, from different backgrounds, with varied experiences—but all precious and blessed daughters of our heavenly Father!
The God-inspired devotional book project began back in 1992, which means this new volume is the 20th anniversary edition. And I do believe these books are a God-inspired idea. When the project began, it was seen as a one time idea, but that book was so well received, and so many blessings flowed from it, that the books just kept coming, and kept blessing. Not only are those who read the books blessed, but every woman who receives a scholarship from the profits of these books is blessed as well. And blessings continue through the service these amazing women are already giving to their families, churches, and communities.
There are several ways you can help these blessings to continue.
- Buy a book for yourself.
- Buy extra copies; they make wonderful Christmas, birthday, Mother’s Day, or hostess gifts—something for every day of every season.
- Write a devotional to be included in a future book.
Perhaps you could apply for one of the Women’s Ministries scholarships or tell some other deserving woman about them. You can also make a contribution to the scholarship fund. At http://women.adventist.org you can learn how to donate, how to apply, and also find guidelines for writers.
We invite you to enjoy the 2013 women’s devotional book. You are, can be, and will be blessed.
Ardis Stenbakken, editor
777
Worldwide Holy Spirit Prayer Fellowship
Seventh-day Adventists in “777” are praying, 7 days a week at 7 (a.m. or p.m.) for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit’s power and presence. Follow the link: http://www.revivalandreformation.org
Prayer Corner
- For peace and healing for women
- For oppressed women and children around the world
- For the outpouring of the Holy Spirit
- For the WM outreach Projects in the communities
Calendar
September 8
International Literacy Day
September 21
International Day of Peace
October
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
National Domestic Violence Month
October 1
Devotional Book deadline
October 10
WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY
October 31
Scholarship Program applications deadline
