Women's Ministry

Tammy and Sheila:
Making friends
during visit to
southern Africa

Tammy Tkach and Sheila Graham, Women's Ministry Support coordinators, each gave 15 presentations, including five question-and-answer sessions during visits to Zimbabwe and South Africa Dec. 11 to 21.

First stop was a regional women's retreat in Zimbabwe Dec. 11 to 13. From there they flew to Durban, South Africa, to speak at a women's seminar Dec. 14. From Durban, they flew to Cape Town to speak Dec. 15. The next day they flew to Johannesburg, where Mrs. Tkach joined her husband, Joseph, at a ministerial conference.

Dec. 18 Shirley Henderson, wife of James Henderson, superintendent of African missions, drove the two women to the Summer Educational Program (SEP) camp to speak to the staff and campers.

After lunch at camp, they drove two hours to Magaliesburg for a women's retreat Dec. 18 to 20.

After the retreat they drove back to Johannesburg to join Mr. Tkach and Randal Dick, superintendent of missions, to begin the flight home the next day.

Sanganayi Creek, Zimbabwe

Ninety-three women traveled from Botswana, Malawi, Zambia and elsewhere in Zimbabwe to hear Tammy Tkach, Sheila Graham and Shirley Henderson Dec. 11 to 13. The theme was "Comfort, O Comfort my People" (Isaiah 40:1).

"We sang, danced and praised the Lord for an hour and a half as the bus journeyed to Sanganayi Creek," said Agatha Paul, organizing committee secretary.

Catherine Gondwe, a deaconess in the Blantyre, Malawi, congregation, said: "We had problems with the bus and with immigration officers in both Mozambique and Zimbabwe. We thought we would not make it to the Zimbabwean border in time, but we managed to cross the border post by a few minutes before it was closed."

The opening night meeting started with singing. After coordinator Elinah Mandimika's welcome, Nsama Kaoma spoke on God Is With Us All the Time, and Mrs. Henderson spoke on How We Can Comfort Each Other.

Mrs. Tkach and Mrs. Graham gave messages the next day confirming the women's relationship with Jesus Christ. A woman is equally important in God's plan, they said.

Jane Ngula spoke on Planting to Reap, and Rosemary Chiutare spoke on the Power of Prayer. After dinner several women gave testimonies on how God was working in their lives. Hymns were sung in Shona, English, Chewa and Nyanja.

"We certainly felt the presence of God throughout the retreat and the unity and love for one another made possible by God's Spirit," remarked one delegate. As Mrs. Tkach said, "It was Jesus who brought us here together."

(Compiled by Elinah Mandimika with contributions from Agatha Paul, Gladys Mpofu and Catherine Gondwe)

Cape Town, South Africa

Applause broke out as Tammy Tkach and Sheila Graham arrived at the Dutch Library in Pinelands Dec. 15.

Debbie Klynsmith introduced the guests to the waiting audience of 66 women from the Cape Town North and South churches. Members had heard about their work; now they would hear them speak.

Before closing, all the women held hands and prayed for God's love to be expressed through each and every one, and for unity and strength in Christ, so they may serve in whichever way he leads. (Contributed by Hilary Dahms)

Magaliesburg, South Africa

More than 120 women made friends with Mrs. Tkach and Mrs. Graham at the Youth for Christ Centre in the Magaliesburg Hills.

Earlier that same day Mrs. Tkach and Mrs. Graham shared a message of choices with the SEP teens and staff.

Nanette Robertson, president of Johannesburg's Women's Development Forum, was inspired by James 4:2, "You do not have because you do not ask."

So, she asked: "Tammy and Sheila, please come to our retreat. If you can get here, we'll look after you."

The answer came, "No ... but if ... yes." She asked again and God heard our prayers for the "if" to happen.

Wendy Holladay gave our guests a warm welcome. The uplifting evening ended in praise and worship led by Gill Khoury and Lorna Leister of the Durban Worship Ministry.

After breakfast Saturday, Joyce Ndungane led praise and worship. Four workshops were offered that afternoon by Yvonne Tavares, the Durban Music Ministry, Shirley Henderson and Sharon Vischer.

Helen Botha led Sunday morning's praise session. The Durban Women's Ministry also provided signing for those hearing impaired.

All the women were taught to sign the theme song, "The Power of Your Love." Mrs. Tkach said, "It's like worshiping God with your body as well as your voice."

(Contributed by Meri Matti)

SEP--Wendy Holladay (right) gives tour to Tammy Tkach (left), Shirley Henderson and Sheila Graham (behind camera).

SANGANAYI CREEK--Women meet in African gazebo.

OUTDOOR KITCHEN--Workers clean up after meal in Sanganayi Creek, Zimbabwe.

MAGALIESBURG--Tammy Tkach (right) with friends. [Photos by Sheila Graham]

  
ZIMBABWE--Rosemary Chiutare and Jane Ngula speak at retreat.

CAPE TOWN--Women listen to presentation by Tammy Tkach.

CAPE TOWN OFFICE--Tammy Tkach and Debbie Klynsmith look over South African publications.

  
PRESENTATIONS--Coordinator Nanette Robertson in Magaliesburg, and Sheila Graham in Cape Town.

CAPE TOWN--Bryan and Ina Mathie with Tammy Tkach (center). Mr. Mathie is a retired employee of the South African Office.

Need more information about women's ministry?

Visit our website at www.wcg.org/womensministry/

You'll find the women's ministry information packet and news of coming retreats and conferences, Tammy Tkach's monthly letter, Something to Think About, and a link to Sheila Graham's newsletter, Christian Women in Touch.

Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 1999