600 women hold fast to Master's hand

Close to 600 Samoan women from Australia, New Zealand, American Samoa, USA, and Samoa, united in prayer and song to worship God in their own language, at the Samoan Seventh-day Adventist Women's Congress in Apia, Samoa from December 14-18, 2011.

The Women's ministry department of the Samoas-Tokelau Mission hosted the congress, in response to many requests for an opportunity to renew and strengthen bonds of sisterhood as women of Samoa, and reach out to "Touch a Heart and Tell the World". Seminars and workshops offered insight to involvement of women in community based programs.

The theme of the congress was "Hold fast to the Master's hands." 

Dynamic speakers included a former Attorney General, the CEO of a Government Financial Authority, and a missionary Catholic nun who shared her experiences serving the Master in many countries of the world.

Further inspiration came from the Samoa Victim Support Group and the victim children from the Shelter, who touched hearts with their music and performance. At the end of their program, all the pastors wives were invited to the stage, to hug and pray for a child, and sing “Does Jesus Care ?”.

Other workshops and seminars offered activities in vegetarian cooking, healthy nutrition, handicrafts, music, and home worship. The Samoa Red Cross trainers demonstrated valuable, basic life-saving procedures, and the Men Against Violence Organization sent out a strong message to join the move to stop domestic violence and END IT NOW.

Most of the presenters were from Samoa. Mrs Elei Faraimo from New Zealand, presented the spiritual Seminar—to bring your family and keep them in the Master’s Hands.

Misa Emma Kesha, who was recently awarded the Queens Medal for her contribution to developing communities in New Zealand, took the workshops in handicrafts to a higher level, with her skills and expertise.

To reduce costs, catering and accommodation were designed according to local dining and sleeping practices.  Fees were kept to a minimum to allow participation of Samoan women from within and overseas.

Keeping the motto “Hold Fast to the Master’s Hands” in their hearts, the Congress ended on a high note of hope and joy, and the women of Samoa were further strengthened to face the challenges of life, wherever they are.