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Dalfsen 2008
EBWU-Conference,
Dalfsen
15-18 May 2008,
the Netherlands
Theme: "Jesus, our Source of
Inspiration". (inspired on Isaiah 58:11 b)
Almost
two hundred guests flowed on May 15 into the former conference centre,
The Source, at Dalfsen, forming a river, which ended in a fountain of
exhilaration at the meeting of each other, but above all in the meeting
with Jesus Christ: our Source of Inspiration. A Source which - once
struck - will change and renew our lives daily. The splendid EBWU
poster clarified the theme exactly - wherever the Lord leads us, He
will satisfy us, even in arid regions; then we will be like a garden
with sufficient water, an always bubbling up source.
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| Wies Dijkstra |
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EBWU President Ewa Gutkowska opened the conference.
José Mik,
the President of the Dutch Baptist Women’s Movement welcomed
everybody, standing on a beautifully decorated stage – a
flowing
water source among superb flower displays arranged by the Dutch
President herself! She also organised the roll call, with for each
country attending, using other flowers to represent each country and
fitting in with the theme of the conference.
The President of the Dutch
Baptist Union, Jannes Hofman, was called upon and cordially welcomed
everyone, bringing greetings on behalf of the Dutch Baptists. Also some
other invited persons, eg EBF representatives, addressed the
gathering. |
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Great
Bible studies were given by Dorothy Selebano, President of the BWA
– Women’s Department since 2005, and Yona Pusey,
former
EBWU President. Some used texts: By drinking of the living water Jesus
offers us, we’ll never get thirsty anymore, because that
water
will grow into a fountain in us, from which eternal life originates.
John 4: 7-15.
In John 2:3-5 the changing of water into wine by Jesus.
Jesus has the ability and is willing to change things dramatically in
our lives if only we ask Him. We are not to be surprised when life
brings us situations which were totally unexpected: Jesus is teaching
us like He did the disciples in John13: 2-5. |
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Jesus is the Source of our Inspiration, our
example. In John 14
the Holy Spirit reveals to us the love and knowledge that is between
the Father and Jesus, this same relationship is what God wants to share
with His people. Jesus can transform us and change our hearts.
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"And
the LORD will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in
scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like
a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not
fail.” (Isaiah
58:11) |
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Not only the Bible studies were great, the
workshops were fantastic too. From responses it became clear that tears
welled up in the eyes of the women who were attending the workshop of
Judith Parker and Joan Evans in which Yona Pusey played a role to show
how there can be assistance in situations of crisis.
The workshop of Lauran Bethel concerning women in prostitution was very
honest and to the point, confronting the issues those involved in
prostitution face. She herself was encouraged enormously by the fact
that there was such a large nterest for her workshop compared to 5
years ago. ‘It is clear’, thus she said,
‘the Holy Spirit is working in our churches’. For
many years this subject was not mentioned, but now, more and more
churches are discovering their responsibility.
The workshop Bible Drama was given by Linda Schipper. A Biblical story
was enacted by the women as they put themselves in the place of the
characters used. It turned out to be a very personal experience, which
will remain as precious moments in the hearts of the women.
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Other workshops were: Migrations lead by Lidi
Maggi, and Women with a Mission by Ksenija Magda. A creative workshop,
conducted by Anneke Tessers and Wies Dijkstra, in between all those
serious subject s , was a welcome supplement. Just using our hands and
making a beautiful keepsake, and of course what women like to do:
chatting – don’t think too little about that, as
women learn a lot from chatting with each other. Much was learned of
the tales from other countries, which were told during several
components of the programme. |
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However, more is learned by chatting with each
other in the lobby and at meal breaks at such a conference.
What is also very interesting and touched everybody very deeply is
that, in fact, we don’t need words to understand each other
when it comes to being aware of each other and sensing each others
needs; then it turns out at that moment the different language
isn’t a barrier! Blanka Vekas, being deaf and not able to
speak, proved that entirely by singing to honour God without words. She
has a talent to sing with body language and all the people who
“heard” her singing were deeply moved. After that
all were called to use their talents and gifts to serve the Lord. He
needs us everywhere in the world to help others. We must dedicate
ourselves to Him and He will lead us. The women of the EBWU are working
and praying for God’s kingdom. |
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Concerning gifts and talents – the
Russian women formed a splendid choir and let us enjoy some of their
songs.
Patsy
Davis, Director of the head office of the BWA -Women’s
Department told
about the Day of Prayer, which is the most important expression of the
tie that binds us together each year as Baptist women on the first
Monday in November.
During the prayer meetings the enormous
importance of praying for one another came across and also the desire
to continue to pray after the conference was over. Praying is the
strength which the river of mercy continues to give us as it flows to
become eventually a fountain of blessing in our lives. This truth was
brought forward by the Workgroup Holland by teaching the guests, in
Dutch, the wellknown song, “I’ve got peace like a
river, I’ve got joy
like a fountain.” They were accompanied by the fantastic
music group
from Heemskerk, who voluntarily postponed their own schedule to look
after the music during these days of conference. |
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Because
the conference was in the Netherlands, the Workgroup Holland had a
considerable share in the programme, in front and certainly behind the
scenes. Thanks to the aid of a lot of volunteers from Dutch Baptist
people all over the country and the commitment of two young men who
took care of the technical items, everything did work out very well.
The outing for the participants was also organized by the Netherlands.
The foreign people were taken from source to source. On Saturday
afternoon the guests visited Orvelte, a historical part of the
Netherlands. After that they were planted again near another source.
This time the Baptist Church, “The Source”, in Emmen, where
all were satisfied in an excellent manner, by a lot of volunteers, with
food and drinks and enjoyed a full entertaining programme afterwards.
The Workgroup Holland - in farmer’s clothing - entertained
everybody with a wooden shoe dance singing the song, ‘Tulips from
Amsterdam’. The guests did get their own little wooden shoes:
made from Delfts Blue porcelain. Fancy packed in silver, and a tulip
sticker on the package - a real Souvenir from Holland from the Dutch
Baptist sisters. |
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In
a professional manner, real folk dance culture was taken over by the
dancing group “The Sheepdancers “ in splendid historical
attire. Not only a little bit of the Dutch culture was shown, but also
the history of the Dutch Baptist Women’s Movement in a PowerPoint
presentation.
Unfortunately not all Dutch women could come to the conference. Yet
they have welcomed their sisters! After a request a tidal wave of
typical Dutch postcards overflowed the mailbox of the organisation. Now
a card and a Dutch goody could be laid as welcome on every bed. It was
appreciated enormously, as well as the special Conference bag piled up
with small presents that every guest got at the start.
Pleasure, deepening of faith and friendship, and business matters are
part of such a conference. Every 5 years we have to make decisions and
a new EBWU Committee must be chosen. President, Ewa Gutkowska from
Poland, Secretary, Janny Kingma from the Netherlands - both after 16
(!!!) years of faithful service, and member Olga Mocan from Moldovia
left the committee. The board functions were filled in by the sitting
committee members, so three new committee members had to be elected.
The results follow. Those serving for the next 5 years on the EBWU
committee are: President, Livija Lame from Latvia; Vice-president,
Margun Warem from Norway; Secretary, Aniko Ujvari from Hungary;
Treasurer, Elisabeth Vekas from Romania; three new members, Margaret
Brown from Scotland, Wies Dijkstra from the Netherlands and Susana
Mefford from Spain. |
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President
Livija Lame was consecrated in a special service, in which also the
other members of the committee were confirmed. This impressive service,
was conducted jointly by e.g. the Secretary of the EBF, Anthony Peck,
the world President of the Baptist Women, Dorothy Selebano, the
President of the EBF Toma Magda, and EBWU Ex-president, Ewa Gutkowska.
With a depth of gratitude for the fountain of blessing on
this particular conference most of the guests drew homeward. Behind the
scenes some little streams were led into their beds again and then the
end of the conference was a fact. At that very moment “The
Source” in Dalfsen could be called by its new changed name from
now on: “Mooi rivier” which means, “Beautiful
river”.
More pictures and stories at www.ebwu.org/events/dalfsen.html
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