| Dear Sisters,
This is a nice possibility to write
to all of you through the next edition of News and Views.
I am grateful to God for Aniko Ujvari and for her great
work as the editor of this magazine.
Also, thanks to the efforts of Elisabeth Vekas and Peter
Havas from Romania we can now read the N&V on our
webpage: www.ebwu.org. Perhaps this site will allow
us to be better known to sisters all over the world.
It's amazing how recent technical achievements such
as this allow communication with anyone, anywhere in
mere minutes.
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Ewa Gutkowska,
EBWU president
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On one hand, it is good because sometimes
we have very urgent requests, needs and news. On the other
hand, nothing can replace individual and direct contact with
one another. Therefore, the possibility of meeting you face
to face…talking to you, praying with and for you, crying
and laughing together, touching and hugging one another…is
such a precious gift.
Thank you all for your e-mails sent
to me, not only the business related e-mails, but also the
ones containing assurances of prayer for me and for the EBWU
committee as a whole. I realise that it was only because of
your faithful prayers lifted up on my behalf that I was able
to travel and serve others. I would like to ask and encourage
each of you to continue praying regularly every Monday.
I want to take this time now to share
some highlights of events, which I was able to attend this
past year.
It was by God's grace that I could
to go to Armenia just after the committee meeting in Spain
when I didn't feel well. The EBF Executive meeting took place
in Erevan. It was also a wonderful possibility to meet again
some of our Armenian sisters.
In May, for the last time, I conducted the Polish Women's
Conference with the election of a new committee. I thank God
for that new committee with younger sisters and also the young
president - Dorota Szachiewicz.
Some of you know that one part of
my heart belongs to children. Just at the end of June and
at the beginning of July, I was responsible, as it happens
every summer, for the camp for orphans and kids from pathological
families. Because of my camp experiences, I better understand
the words of Jesus: "Let the children come to me
and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of heaven belongs
to such as these." (Matthew 19:14)
In the second part of July, I participated
at the Women's Department meeting and at the BWA General Council
meeting in Seoul. Both of the meetings gave me a wider perspective
of the Baptist family and allowed me to see how God works
in amazing ways in different countries of the world, very
often through diffi-culties, suffering and pain. I was once
again affirmed that this unusual work of God was and is always
connected with PRAYER.
In Korea, we were able to visit two
churches. The first one was for the Morning Prayer time of
believers. The first group usually starts at 5 a.m. and prays
for one hour, the second group comes at 6 a.m. and the third
at 7 a.m. It was wonderful to see how people run…not
walk…to the church for Morning Prayer time before going
to their work. The second visit took place at the church Yonggi
Cho during the Night Prayer time. When we arrived after midnight,
the church with 10,000 seats was full. Most of them were women
who prayed in a special and meaningful way. It was a very
moving experience for me. I felt guilty because of my prayer.
Sometimes it is difficult to continue in prayer for one hour.
It was a big encouragement for me. I believe that by the prayers
of a great many women, God can change Europe.
The second part of August was busy as well. I was responsible
for two retreats for the Polish women in need. The attendees
were not only from the Baptist churches, but also from outside
the church…widows, single mothers and women who have
different difficulties in their families with unbelieving
husbands and/or children. The separate story, each of them
very often full of drastic events, is like a big book well
known by God. Those women were able to rest in the Lord and
spent time taking part in different activities. Some of them
said that it was the first time in their lives that they were
free from heavy home duties and burdens. "I started to
smile" - added other. "I think that heaven will
be like here" - said a 60-year-old widow who takes care
of her 45-year-old mentally handicapped daughter.
I have written more in a separate
article about the council meeting in Lebanon.
My travel for the conference to Latvia seemed to me like a
visit arranged by God. He knew that Livija, the vice president
of the EBWU, would need us close by during the time when her
husband passed away. Nothing is a coincidence in our life
and the ministry.
The next event embraced sisters from
all over the world. This year we were inspired to pray for
a peaceful world by our Caribbean sisters. I am sure that
it was a very special time for all of us in attendance.
Let me add that next year Europe will
lead in November's Day of Prayer. The program is almost ready.
The theme is the same as the theme of the Leadership Conference
in Birmingham: Seeing with New Eyes.
I would now like to take this opportunity to mention a few
words concerning two main events, which we are looking forward
to attending in 2005 the Leadership
Conference (LC) and the BWA Congress. It is my hope to
be able to see each other once again as we did in Croatia
and meet together with women from all over the world. I hope
that the Union's presidents have received the information
from the Women's Department with the registration forms. It
is important to note that separate registration and accommodation
forms must be submitted for each event. The dates for
each event are as follows:
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Leadership Conference (LC)
Dates: July 23-26, 2005
Registration Fee: $150 (USD)
Aston University Accommodation Fee: $410 (USD)
Total Cost: $560 (USD)
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BWA Congress
Dates: July 27-31, 2005
(If you plan to attend this event,
please complete a separate registration and accommodation
form.)
The EBWU committee realizes that the
fees for the LC and Congress, especially for women from Eastern
countries, are very high. At the end of November, we will
have the committee meeting (three of us) after which time
we will let you know which delegates will receive partial
or scholarship support.
This is an appeal to those of you
who could help or sponsor part of the scholarship for sisters
who aren't able to afford the journey and the fees. For some
of them this is only a dream of attending this world conference.
Dear sister, perhaps you can help this dream come true. Let
me add that some of the Women's Unions have sent money for
this goal. For this, we thank you very much. Please know that
I wouldn't exert any pressure on you. This is only an appeal.
"May God's grace be with
all those who love our LORD Jesus Christ with undying love."
(Ephesians 6:24)
With love to all of you,
Ewa Gutkowska
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