Women in Action
Children in Bulgaria Learn to Recognize Aggressive Emotions
Inter-European Division (EUD)
[Sofia] A project to improve emotional intelligence and to introduce the concept of communication without aggression was implemented for children in several Bulgarian cities in 2013. Fifty parents participated with 135 children, which included 35 orphans and 20 children of gypsy origin.
Participants learned to recognize their positive and negative emotions, to communicate with a sportsmanlike greeting, and that the biggest losers are angry ones. Children departed with emoticon badges to help identify emotions and the thermometer they made to measure anger. The strength of their emotional experiences can be monitored with the stages indicated on the thermometer.
A program aimed at teens begins in 2014. Seminars for adults will conclude the goal of training people of all ages.
Contributed by Rada Sakaleva, enditnow general coordinator, Bulgaria
February 6 is
International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation
February 6 is International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation, and Seventh-day Adventists are among the many faith groups, NGOs and organizations working to end the practice.
FGM/C, often referred to as Female Circumcision, is
practiced in nearly 30 countries in Africa and Asia. Young girls are subjected
to procedures that intentionally alter or cause injury to their genital organs
for non-medical reasons, often as part of a coming-of-age cultural tradition or
ceremony. The cut, which is generally done without anesthesia, may have
lifelong health consequences.
By Ansel Oliver/ANN
Break the Silence About Abuse
May 1-4, 2014
This event will train members and leaders how to respond to abuse victims in our churches and in our communities. If you are a church administrator, school administrator, pastor, teacher, or layperson, you are invited to attend enditnow Summit on Abuse, May 1-4, 2014.
Featured guests include Southern Adventist University’s First Responders training team, and the North American Division Family Ministries team, Claudio and Pamela Consuegra.
The enditnow Summit on Abuse is co-sponsored by the Women’s Ministries departments of the General Conference and of North American Division. The summit will be held in Silver Spring, Maryland at the church world headquarters.
To register, go to www.enditnow.org and follow the registration link to AdventSource, or call 1-800-328-0525.
Focus on the News
“Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Savior mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, ‘Follow me.’” Ellen G. White, Ministry of Healing, p. 143
EMPOWER.
Around the World with WM Leadership Certification Training, Level 1
Northern Asia-Pacific Division (NSD)
[Taiwan] More than 30 women
leaders of Taiwan gathered for a November 2013 weekend of Women’s Ministries
Leadership, Level 1 certification training, coordinated by Paula Kwok, Taiwan’s
WM Director.
Presentations engaged the women through discussion groups, skits, and other activities to keep a high level of interest throughout the intensive training. All who attended the training left with certificates of completion. The group bonded through fellowship activities that included walks, a ferry ride, and singing.
“Train the Trainer” concept is working in Taiwan Conference, because everyone voted to hold the second level as soon as possible, and pledged to provide training for local church members using the same ten classes for certification.
Contributed by Sally Lam-Phoon, NSD WM Director and a featured speaker
Inter-European Division (EUD)
[Switzerland] Inter-European Division (EUD) WM director Denise Hochstrasser hosted 50 women from German-speaking countries in the first certification training event for Women’s Ministries Leadership, Level 1, January 2014 in EUD. French-speaking women from France and Switzerland who also attended became motivated to organize certification training in France.
Contributed by Denise Hochstrasser, EUD WM Director
OUTREACH.
WM Volunteers Receive Fifth Award at The Haven, a national women’s shelter
Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD)
[Manila] For the fifth time, the Pasay Adventist Church
Women’s Ministries team, led for 18 years by Consolacion Tauro, has been
nationally recognized by the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD) for providing literacy classes for abused women, residents
of The Haven, a national 
shelter in metropolitan Manila.
Initially, the Philippine DSWD director would not allow doctrine to be discussed at the shelter and conversion was not allowed. However, after seeing changes in women’s characters, the director gave church members more freedom in their interaction with residents. Interest developed for reading and values education, and the Bible is now being used as a textbook. Through all the years of working with The Haven, more than 50 women have accepted Christ as personal Savior. Nine were baptized last November and another baptism is scheduled in March 2014.
Mrs. Consolación Tauro was awarded in 2013 by GC WM as one of the Adventist women of Most Distinguished Service of this century, representing SSD.
Contributed by Consolación C Tauro (pictured), Pasay Adventist Church WM Leader
GC WM Special Projects Box
Funding for literacy class
materials at The Haven comes from five levels of Women’s Ministries in the
church denominational organization: the Pasay church members, the local
conference, the union, the Southern Asia-Pacific Division Women’s Ministries
(SSD WM), and the General Conference Women’s Ministries 
Special Projects Fund.
SSD Education Department created the learning modules.
To Support GC WM Special Projects, send your contributions to General Conference Women’s Ministries.
Inspiration for You
The medical missionary work is a door through which the truth is to find entrance to many homes in the cities.” Ellen G White, Counsels on Health, p. 556
Whole grains with a low Glycemic Index provide an adequate, steady supply of energy by releasing glucose slowly into the blood stream, keeping you mentally alert throughout the day.
Omega-e fats in flaxseed, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, and soybean oil and linseed oil provide essential fatty acids that cannot be made by the body and must be obtained through diet.
Blue berries are effective in improving or delaying short-term memory loss.
Tomatoes provide lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that helps protect against the kind of free radical damage to cells that occurs in the development of dementia, particularly, Alheimer's disease.
B vitamins -- B6, B12, and folic acid -- are known to reduce levels of homocysteine in the blood. Elevated levels are associated with increased risk of stroke, cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer's disease.
Blackcurrants are one of the best sources of Vitamin C, which has long been thought to have the power to increase mental agility.
Pumpkin seeds, a handful each day, will provide the recommended daily amount of zinc, vital for enhancing memory and thinking skills.
Broccoli is a good source of vitamin K, which is known to enhance cognitive function and improve brainpower.
Sage oil has long had a reputation for improving memory, and it is worth adding fresh sage herbs to your diet.
Leafy green vegetables and nuts are a great source of vitamin E, which is thought to help prevent cognitive decline along with asparagus, olives, seeds, eggs, brown rice, and whole grains.
Adapted from Jo Lewin, Nutritional therapist, published by BBC Good Food, February 3, 2014, http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/10-foods-boost-your-brainpower
[ PRAYER CORNER]
What is a prayer Journal?
A prayer journal is a notebook or binder that contains your prayer request, Bible study notes, verses you are going through, daily confessions, goals, and revelations that God has shown you.
How Do I make a
Prayer Journal?
The great thing about a prayer journal is that there is no right or wrong way to make one. A simple notebook that you write verses that stand out to you, definitions, word studies, prayer requests, Bible study notes, and confessions.
What Should I Include
in My Prayer Journal?
- Things that God has taught you.
- Verses that apply to the situations in your life.
- Bible study notes.
- Word study notes.
- Definitions. It can be really helpful to look up the definitions of each word in a verse. It is amazing how much deeper you can go with the verse when you get more background on the words used.
- Sermon notes.
- Confessions.
- Goals, dreams and desires that God has placed in your heart.
- Prayer requests.
- Answered prayers.
Where/How Should I
Start My Prayer Journal?
A good place to start is to write down the dreams, desires, goals and prayer requests that God has placed on your heart.
Source: http://www.overflowliving.com/Prayer_Journal.html
Prayer for the Year
“Let your prayer be, ‘Take me, O Lord, as wholly Thine. I lay all my plans at your feet. Use me today in Thy service. Abide with me, and let all my work be wrought in thee.’ This is a daily matter. Each morning consecrate yourself to God for that day. Surrender all your plans to Him, to be carried out or given up as His providence shall indicate. Thus day by day you may be giving your life into the hands of God, and thus your life will be molded more and more after the life of Christ.” Steps to Christ, p. 66
To download the seminar “An Invitation to Prayer,” go to women.adventist.org
International Women’s Day (IWD), originally called International Working Women’s Day, is celebrated annually on March 8. The focus of celebration in all countries ranges from general showing of respect, love, and appreciation toward women to large-scale celebration of women’s achievements in economic, political, and social aspects. The United States even designates the whole month of March as Women’s History Month. In some countries like China and Russian, Vietnam and Bulgaria, IWD is a national holiday. No matter how IWD is marked, the day celebrates the difference women make in the world.
So make a difference, think globally and act locally! Make every day an International Women’s Day. Do your part to ensure that the future for girls is bright, equal, safe, and rewarding.
Making A Difference
We discovered in Women’s Ministries six primary challenge issues that face women, obstacles to becoming all the Creator God made them to be. These issues affect women in and out of the Church, sometimes with equal intensity; and impact women in all countries of the world, although in varying degrees. The six issues that globally impact women are: Abuse, Poverty, Threats to Health, Illiteracy, Women’s Workload, and lack of Training and Education.
Challenges can be opportunities for outreach and witness, as they help define many needs women face. What can you do in your church and community to minister to these needs? Be creative.
Plant A Seed Ministry
Plant a Seed Ministry shares seeds of love in the lives of people you meet and serve. Begin by discovering your own talents and in finding how to share them with the congregation and community around you.
Ideas: Love books? Read to children or the elderly. Love cooking? Share meals with the sick, bereaved, or homeless. Children love you? Volunteer at neighborhood school; tutor disadvantaged students; show up at Sabbath school. Homebound yourself? Send cards and letters to young people away at school or military service; call other shut-ins.
CALENDAR
March 1 National Day of Prayer in the United States
March 6 Human Rights Day
March 8 WM International Day of Prayer
March 21 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
March 22 World Day for Water
PRAYER CORNER
• Abuse Summit, May 1-4, 2014
• Mission to the Cities
• Revival and Reformation [www.revivalandreformation.org]
• Revived by His Word/777
• Young women in the church
