East-Central Africa Division
Milliam Kakembo, Shepherdess Coordinator for ECD, has been active in holding meetings for the Shepherdesses in various unions. Following is her pictorial report:
Pastors’ wives from Kenya Coast Field
Trees were planted by pastoral couples to show importance of keeping the environment green and preparing for retirement
Ordination at Nyamira Conference in Kenya
Euro-Asia Division
In Ochakov, Ukraine, Chalova is the leader of the women’s club, “Hope.” The Shepherdesses prepare presentations to share with the ladies, and it is a great opportunity to witness since 10 15 non-church members attend the meetings.
Women’s Club in Ochakov, Ukraine
North American Division
Andrews University
Seminary wives at Andrews University in Michigan held their second annual retreat in the spring. The theme was “Awakening Your Spirituality,” and the featured speaker was Dr. Kim Logan-Nowlin, a licensed professional Christian counselor and communication expert from Detroit. The ladies enjoyed an agape feast, communion, praise singing, hula hoops, scrapbooking, massages, gifts, worship, and group games. This retreat is just one of many activities organized to offer seminary spouses a chance to recharge their spirits
and get better acquainted with others in the group.
Seminary Wives at Andrews University
Indiana
Erney Poenitz is the new Shepherdess sponsor for the
Indiana Conference. She
understands the “highs” and “lows” of the pastor’s wife and wants to be available to support the pastors’ wives at any time. They had a spring retreat in March.
Erney Poenitz, Indiana Conference Shepherdess Sponsor
South Pacific Division
Fiji Mission
The Partners In Ministry (PIM) from Fiji Mission had their first weekend retreat last year in Suvavou. Pr. Nos Terry Mailalong, Ministerial Secretary from Trans-Pacific Union, opened the retreat and officiated at the Lord’s Supper. There were inspiring messages about connecting with God and
the neglect and needs of pastors’ children. Momoi Sausau, PIM Coordinator for Trans-Pacific Union, engaged the women in open dialogue on the concerns faced by PIMs and how to find solutions. They were also blessed to have “Angelic Voices of Vanuatu” give messages in song.
Solomon Islands Mission
A worship conference was held at Fulton College June 17 23, 2008. Children preached at these meetings. Muletiti Daniels from Solomon Islands reported that the dedicatory prayer impressed her to work for God. She learned how to involve people who feel they can play a part in worship, and that music is powerful and can lift us to God. Muletiti now feels equipped to lead out in worship.
North New Zealand Conference
The North New Zealand Conference recently held a pastors’ wives retreat. Val Jones, PIM Coordinator, planned the weekend and Sharon Cress was a featured speaker for the meetings. The ladies
Shepherdesses in North New Zealand
were blessed by the stories, presentations, and wisdom.
Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division
Malawi Union
Shepherdess has been active in Malawi. The following pictorial report shares what is happening in that area of the world:
Gertrude Mfune, Malawi Shepherdess
Sponsor, and Mrs. Chikomo (seated), Ma-
lawi Shepherdess Coordinator, at crusade
in Edwendeni, North Malawi Field
Baptism at the end of two-week crusade by Shepherdesses in Malawi Union
Central Malawi Field
Ireen Phiri, Central Malawi Field Shepherdess Coordinator, reports that they have 53 active Shepherdesses. There are 12 Shepherdess zones, and so far, they have been able to visit and encourage Shepherdesses in six zones. They intend to visit all Shepherdesses by the end of the quarter to share scripture and prayer.
The Shepherdesses were encouraged to take active roles in evangelism and help conduct at least one crusade before the year is over. So far three Shepherdesses have conducted two crusades, and 42 people
have made a decision for Christ; some people have already been baptized.
They are also participating in charity programs and recently held a special meeting for retired Shepherdesses to cheer them and pray for them. Cloth and groceries were given to them, much to the surprise of the retired Shepherdesses.
Shepherdesses in Central Malawi Field
Tailoring School in Zambia
Denise Ratsara, Shepherdess Coordinator for SID, recently went to Zambia to purchase more sewing machines for the tailoring school. It was amazing to see all the work the ladies had done: trousers, dresses, hats, curtains, etc. They will soon be buying more sewing machines and then a refrigerator to begin a cooking school.
Ministerial worker’s meeting/Bible Conference for Malawi Union
On January 11-17, 2009, the Malawi Union met for a ministerial workers’ meetings and Bible Conference.
Southern Asia Division
Adult literacy program opens doors
The North Orissa Region reports success with their adult literacy program. The region operates five centers and in one month had a total of 152 people from various religious backgrounds coming to study.
One of the literacy centers is located in the village of Paharsirgida. This village has 200 homes with a population of 500. The Lutheran Church is the largest church in the village, with a membership of around 300. The local Adventist Church has 87 members and has been running a successful adult literacy program. At first the Lutherans were suspicious of the Adventists and were hesitant to attend the literacy programs. However, having seen the success of those attending the programs, the Lutherans are now friendly and have asked the Adventist teachers to come to their church and run a similar program. Pray that the program will be successful.
Southern Asia-Pacific
Division
Fun Games and Homecoming Banquet for Preachers’ Kids (PKs)
Through the coordination of several departments—Shepherdess, Ministerial, Children’s, Youth, Health, Communication, and Women’s—a Preachers’ Kids Fun Games and Homecoming Testimonial Banquet was held April 5. The three-fold objectives for this event were: 1) To foster closer bonding and camaraderie among preachers’ kids; 2) To feel the connection and support of fellow PKs here and
abroad; 3) To hear success stories of adult PKs to give younger PKs inspiration and fresh insights.
A total of 100 PKs came to this first-of-its-kind program. After the opening devotional message on “I’m a PK: Make Me a Blessing!” participants went to various “play stations”: Bible scramble, badminton,
volleyball, table tennis,
parlor games, PK talentado, basketball, and lawn tennis.
PKs in Philippines enjoy playing games
During the homecoming banquet, testimonies were heard from successful adult PKs, and the highlight was the induction of PKs Association Officers from missions, conferences, and some learning institutions. Mrs. Helen Gulfan, SSD Shepherdess Coordinator, gave the inspirational message.
Another significant part of the banquet was the recognition of more than 100 preachers’ kids for their services to denominational work and the community by awarding them an Amethyst (five or more years of service) or an Emerald Service Medallion Award (2-4 years of service). It was a day of fun, fond memories, and warm bonding with fellow-PKs.
Bangladesh Union Mission (BAUM)
Lucena Chambugong,
Shepherdess Coordinator for BAUM, shared the wonderful work that Shepherdesses are doing in their area. On January 23-25, 2009, they conducted a Women’s Ministry and Shepherdess Evangelism program in Shibanandakhila, which is in North Bangladesh Mission.
On March 12-15, 2009, they conducted another evangelism program in Vanaikushalia, West Bangladesh Mission. All the church members welcomed them in a special way by washing feet and giving oil and flowers. There were special programs, discussions, foot washing, and a communion service.
A spiritual revival meeting was held at Beribaid SDA Church in North Bangladesh Mission on March 26-28, 2009. There were more than 100 attendees from different churches and places. Eleven people were baptized. There was no pond, so the baptisms were held in a plastic drum.
