Womens Conference 19-20 Nov 2010

This year’s Ladies Conference held 19-20 November 2010, at the VMI Cotswold church in Port Elizabeth, was an inspiring and uplifting event. Believers showcased their dancing, drama and comedic skills, shared their testimonies, whilst business women displayed their latest creations and products.

Over this weekend much was learned from these ladies who shared their life stories with us. The various experiences they went through ranged from being raped at an early age,nearly dying prematurely, being abused (sexually, emotionally, physically, verbally,mentally, spiritually), being violated, having relationship troubles, to having been told that they will amount to nothing (being labelled).

These ladies faced many challenges from childhood to womanhood. Some had to face the embarrassment, humiliation and shame of their partners committing adultery, and raisingtheir children as a single parent. Many had to step up and take the role of the mother and in the process being robbed of their childhood. Others had to take care of their siblings due to either one parent walking out or a parent that was addicted to alcohol and drugs. Some ladies took refuge in alcohol, medication, smoking and various other substances abuse just to “get rid” of the depression (causing them to become sick, see suicide as the only way out, and almost giving up on God and life).

The talk by Elvy Van der Brook on stress and depression highlighted the following:

• We are responsible to look after ourselves as women as no one will do it for you.

• We need to listen to our bodies for example – fatigue, panic, sleep deprivation, andknow when to focus on your needs as women.

• Take stock of where we are and assess why we’re feeling the way we are.

• Not to give our authority to someone else and allow them to exercise pressure on us.

Death (either the death of a parent, child or someone close) has also been one of themajor issues these ladies had to deal with.  Many of these ladies that have beenafflicted in their childhood made wrong choices growing up, but God turned things aroundfor them.  Many of them (whilst growing up) never finished their schooling or studies,but when they came to repentance God allowed them to go back and finish their studies.

In conclusion we have learned that:

• Forgiveness is a key factor in our walk with God. If we are unforgiving, it will keep us in bondage and block the blessing of God upon our lives.

• Forgiveness starts with us; we have to forgive ourselves first before we are able to forgive those that trespassed against us. We read in Matthew 6:14, “For if you forgive people their trespasses (their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go,and giving up resentment), your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”

• Our Faith has been stretched because we tend to think what we are going through or have gone through is a lot until we hear the testimony of someone else. It is only then that we realise our situation is very minimal or insignificant as opposed to theirs.

• We’ve come to realise once again that we are strong and courageous women and the harder the knock that Satan gives us the greater we bounce back.

• We have learnt that it’s never too late; we can pick up where we left off.

• We must not allow the enemy to minister to us when we are going through the valley.

Inspiring messages of hope and survival came from these women. It is safe to say that many of them should have lost their minds, but God RESTORES, HEALS, DELIVERS andRESURRECTS. Jeremiah 29:11 proclaims: “For I know the plans that I have for you,”declares the Lord,” His plans are to prosper us and not to harm us.

We are victorious women and we are more than conquerors through Christ who strengthens us. God bless.