200 Women and Blessings Galore.

What a wonderful weekend of celebration as almost 200 Baptist women from all over South Africa, celebrated the centenary of the First Baptist Women’s Association,  1911 to 2011. We gathered  at a Mission Conference Centre,  Skogheim, on the South Coast, with representatives from all the provinces of South Africa bringing their news and reviews.

Patsy Davis, Executive Director of Baptist World Alliance, spoke of women of all races, in all the world, united under the Cross. 
"Remember how far the Lord has brought you," she reminded us, "And How His Spirit has guided you."
With her multi-coloured special jackets, as illustrations, she spoke of different places in the world where she had visited, from her first Mission posting in Venezuela, when she learned to speak Spanish, through the continents on a journey of growth in the Fruit of the Spirit, and equipping others to walk in step with the Spirit.

An evening of “The Way We Were” included a skit on the tea party held when the Women’s Association was founded, while other ladies personified the best of the 50’s and 60’s which seemed a popular era, even to one invading the party as Michael Jackson!

Mark 14:32-42 gave us much to consider.Three disciples, special to the Lord, were told to wait and keep watch while He went to pray.Are we awake and watching? For what? Jesus knew what lay ahead and we saw the  humanity of His acknowledged trepidation, contrasting with the Holy acceptance. We cannot afford to "sleep", but need to be in touch with the Lord, submissive to His direction, so when hard times come we can say, "Not my will, but Yours, Lord."

This certainly led me to further thought, which will be shared later, but meantime as we continued to be blessed, and with a specially composed song as part of our celebrations, we are ready to spread the Good News.

Lord,now with Thanksgiving for these hundred years

We give praise for service of those gone before.
Oh may we today give lives that know no fears

To love and serve Almighty God whom we adore.

Forward, ladies, forward, there is yet to do

Much more for the Master ‘till He comes for you.

With vision and conviction, in faith they venture out
Looking not behind nor giving way to doubt
Workers all together strong they go about
It matters not the challenge, be it great or small.
Sending Out the Message – Go and tell the News
Each one reach one – all their talents they must use.
With hearts and hands and voices, service is their aim
All are called to help, the gospel to proclaim
Working for the needy, clothes and cash are found
As they meet they work and pray make love abound.
Forward, ladies, forward, there is yet to do
Much more for the Master ‘till He comes for you.

As befits our Rainbow Nation we were a rainbow crowd, having fun together, and sharing in the Joy of the Lord.

We pray that through His (God's) power He will help us accomplish every good desire, and help us do everything our faith produces. 2 Thessalonians 1:11 paraphrased from NIV