On 22 - 24 November over 30 women attended the 2019 Malawian in the UK Women’s Retreat at the De Vere in Daventry. The theme of the retreat was ‘We Are More Than Conquerors in Christ’ drawn from Romans 8:37. The women felt the presence of the Holy Spirit and also felt a weight off their shoulders as the speakers affirmed that everyone can get through the many crises of their lives by focusing on Christ.
The event started on Friday evening with the main speaker, Newbold’s Theology Student Pilira Zapita. Pilira, began by reminding the audience of the crisis that we all find ourselves as women, which began with our mother Eve. “Eve is the only women who experienced life of both sides of the coin; a sinless world and then a sinful world,” Pilira reminded. Pilira wanted the audience to connect to Eve’s devastation which saw sin change her whole world. Eve lived and enjoyed the sinless world before she sinned, and as Eve’s children, we are also experincing the sting of sin. However Pilira promised that by the end of the retreat everyone would be equipped on how to live through our crises. The evening finished with a greeting and a prayer by the newly appointed South England Conference (SEC) Women’s Director Sis Jacqueline Otokpa. Sis Jacque said, “I am pleased to know that all of you women are seeking God in a powerful way.”
Sabbath morning began with praise and worship, where the women prepared their hearts to hear from God. This was followed by a devotional led by a millennial Cynthia Mkandawire from Plaistow SDA Church in London. Cynthia spoke about her journey with God and how she has seen God come through in her personal challenges as well as those that people of her age group are facing.
The sabbath school led by Mrs Kettie Mphande and Mrs Gloria Luwemba. The series about a brave man in Exile called Nehemiah, who brought his people together to rebuild the wall in Jesusalem. Nehemiah and his people brought their hearts to God and agreed to enter into a covenant with God to follow God’s stututes. Tamanda Golozera said “I liked how the teachers made the lesson simple by referring to the covenant as a contract, so that we could really understands in today’s language.”
“They also went on to say that God is calling us to follow Christ today, imitate the way He lived whilst He was on earth, how He drew strength from prayer to cope with the trials he faced on earth.” Added Tamanda.
Beginning with a sermonette by Bekezela BKay Kheswa from Leeds Central SDA, the Zimbabwean born professional speaker and life coach preached on the story of Eutychus (Acts 20:7-12) who fell through a window when he dozed off when Paul was teaching the word of God. Bkay likened Eutychus’ experience a fellow woman in the church who may be at the verge of falling yet the whole church may not notice. BKay therefore urged the women to look out for one another. “This is also for those in the church who are struggling, please not suffer alone but reach out for help,” BKay added.
The sermon by Pilira echoed the message of reaching out. It was a continuation of the crisis which began with Eve, now offering a solution. The women paid attention to hear the answer. Pilira first listed the many problems that the world is facing, indeed bringing this crisis home for each woman. “It is only in Christ that we can conquer our problems, it is by having a relationship with our saviour and bringing all our worries to Christ in prayer that we can indeed be draw our strength and be more than conquerors” Pilira said.
Pilira said that when she grasped this message that it was only in Christ that we could conquer, not works, not ticking the box to another church event that a lot of weight lifted off her shoulders.
Sabbath evening had a prayer session and workshop led by Mrs Faith Mkandawire. “I felt the spirit of God moving as the prayers were said.” Hanna Chirombo.
Sunday began with another devotional from Mrs Gertrude Chijota. Mrs Chijota said, because of the crises that we face in our lives we often find ourselves operating from a point of defeated victims but she reminded that we are victors in Christ.
There was also a testimony by Author and Creative Judith Makaniankhondo Nyirenda of Newbold Church, she testified of God’s goodness in seeing her family through an immigration challenge, and publishing a children’s book and also a creating children’s doll with a facial birthmark just like hers.
“Trust God even with your imperfections and ask God how you can bring the way He created you to His glory,” Judith encouraged the women.
Pilira’s final sermonette revealed the practical ways of how we ought to face our challenges, she broke down how we are to take the Armor of God, showing the word of God which is Christ as the only weapon with which to attack the enemy with.
The retreat ended with prayers, one by circle led by BKay, where each woman had to declare in one sentence prayer that whatever crises they were facing “it is already done” through the power of Christ.
The final prayer was by Sis Faith Mkandawire, who prayed a prayer of blessing on the women, their families and circles of influence.
Florence Nseula said “this retreat has truly blessed me the messages the singing by the praise team, special items. and the songs in Chichewa, I look forward to going home and sharing with my family.”
