Volume1Issue 7
New feature
January 2015
VISION 2015UNVEILED
Luke 1 Verse 37 “For with God nothing shall be impossible (NET) At the start of the year we just sensed God moving us into a different dimension of doing things and one of the things that stood out the most was Him taking us out of our comfort zone in every sphere in our lives and allowing Him to use us as He pleases knowing that He will lead us wherever He calls us.
Happy New year
We encourage you that as your run with us in fulfilling this vision may it not only impact you when you participate in the different activities but may you really see God do wonderful things in your life so go ahead and allow Him to stretch you as He pleases. Go ahead and take faith steps
Page 2
New feature
2015
Woman of influence Focus: Janette…ikz We had an opportunity of interviewing the amazing Janette who you will remember from the popular poem she recited a few years ago called “I will wait for you”. Janette, who recently got married to track runner, Matt Watson shared her journey with us in her dressing room just before the show. we hope that you all get inspired to continue pursuing the call of God because that’s the type of encouragement we got from this interview. 1.What inspired you to write “I will wait for you” and how have you seen Gods faithfulness up until you got married with regards to waiting and purity? Right. The inspiration behind that poem is just being honest with God. I was just writing to God about how I felt and learning to be honest with God because sometimes we hide behind a mask that because sometimes we pretend like we don’t need a man, don’t want a man but deep inside we really do! I think that, you know, it’s just in us. So the inspiration behind it wasn’t ooh let me inspire women. That wasn’t it at all. I think people respond to truth. So the inspiration behind it was being honest to God about where I was. With regards to the second question, I did not write a poem and all of a sudden there comes a guy riding on a white horse(laughs). It was rather difficult because there were people who heard the poem and suddenly came up and said “Hi I am your Boaz” (laughs). Women tend to forget that we have so much power in choosing and I think for me, it came down to scripture to guide me what I NEEDED to choose. Not what I want. There are things (physical) that we get stuck on such as that “he needs to be a specific height, he has to look a certain way, wear a specific cologne” these things don’t last. So for me it was lots of prayer and seeking God because my then fiancé (husband) had it very hard and thats where I kinda knew he was for me because of his patience because of his patience.
Volume1Issue 7
Page 3
I don’t think anybody else will be able to deal with me. It took him a very long time and at the end of the day we are two people who love God and want to honour him that is why we made the decisions we did with regards to purity, abstaining until our wedding day (abstaining from all physical contact until our wedding day. So the first kiss was on our wedding day. I think God honours when we honour him and I know men like my husband are rare and that shows the faithfulness of God because he did not only give me what I wanted but what I needed and what I will need going forward. 2. What are your thoughts on the tainted image (misogyny) of women who are in fact trying to get validation especially what the media puts out there and how do you think a young impressionable woman can navigate through that negativity and strive towards being a proverbs 31 woman? Our issue is that we believe what we are told. This has been an issue since the beginning of time (Eve). We put our ears and eyes to the wrong thing. Eve listened to the serpent and started believing lies. We have a tendency to believe what beauty really is based on what the media puts out there. We have beautiful dark sisters who don’t believe that they are beautiful because of what is put out there. I have a huge issue with it it frustrates me because I think we as believers are not really doing our jobs. We “do our jobs” In going out there and bashing whats being put out there but we don’t invest the same energy in investing in the lives of these women. You cant just tell a young girl she is beautiful. If you walk out life with her and she builds a relationship with you and really learns to believe that what you say is true because of the relationship you have then she’s going to believe you and you are not putting your words in her but the words of God and leading her back to the creator who helps her understand I am beautiful .We need people who have tumours coming out of their faces and women with stretch marks, who are not a size 2 to understand that they are beautiful. We need to come together and go into communities to preach this to young women. Not when they are older but just when they are young and impressionable and reminding them that Christ is their validation. A lot of women come from broken homes so the first male to validate you isn’t there. So I think its on us to get out in communities and let women know that. Women seek women who will do life with them?
Page 4
New feature
3. How has marriage been and what message can you give to women pursuing Gods call with their lives? Marriage is difficult. It exposes sin in a strong way. I feel like im a selfless person and I sit under the humility God has placed overtime but when it comes to being in a relationship and being able to hold back and not say things Im supposed to say, that’s pride. When I feel like I have to prove a point, that’s pride. When I feel like im not speaking gently to him, that’s pride. All those things come to play in marriage. I think marriage is beautified and for the most part is a façade . But.. (Don’t get me wrong, it’s a beautiful thing, I love being Janette at her wedding with him and I love coming home to him, especially coz he runs track his body is nice) at the same time we have a lot of foundation to lay and I don’t think people focus on the hard work that comes with it. Its very difficult to make sure that you and that somebody are on the same page and both are concerned with one another’s spiritual growth even when you don’t feel like it and being consistent. There are all these small things (like whose gonna wash the dishes) that are magnified when you are in a relationship. I guess what solidifies us is that we have a strong conviction for the Lord Jesus Christ and his ways. So when we have problems and issues, I cant sit back because the Holy spirit convicts you. So when I am wrong, I can ask for forgiveness. But marriage life is good, there is a lot of sacrifice. As a woman I had to make sure that I affirm him because I moved to his place and where I stayed at before was bigger, different, and it was what I wanted. So I moved to a smaller spot that wasn’t what “I wanted” and I had to make sure that I don’t make him feel smaller for that. We are both ministry focused (Arts) we don’t have regular jobs so we really had to rely on the Lord for everything . For me It was important to affirm him and affirm his leading and let him know that he is doing an amazing job because even though it’s a smaller place, Ive had more peace than I have had ever. So marriage is difficult. That’s the truth. A lot of balance, a lot of sacrifice but its rewarding because you are being sharpened by someone who is consistently with you 24/7 who is able to say “Hey God is not pleased with that” so it’s a beautiful thing. Its weird because I miss him now, I haven’t missed him before Im not a “missing him” type of person but I look forward to going home (aww).
Volume1Issue 7
Page 5
Its work. Enjoy the single life because you can make your own decisions. Like I cant make decisions on my own anymore. I cant say, Im going to South Africa I have to say “Hey, South Africa. How do WE feel about it “(laughs).If he doesn’t give his approval, Im not going anywhere. He’s not forceful, but I love him so much that I need to make sure we are on the same page. I enjoy marriage because my marriage is not a stereotypical marriage. My husband washes dishes , cooks, and cleans. (THAT WAS A LONG ANSWER..SORRY)
Lebogang Tisane and Janette backstage before her performance
Ezekiel and Janette peformed at Pretoria in December
Page 6
New feature
Christmas Party Women For Jesus on the 6th of December under the Love In Action department,,normaly known as L.I.A hosted a Christmas Party at Sedikong sa Lerato Orphanage, which is situated at Tooseng Ga-Mphahlele. Throughout the year we have had countless preparations for this splendid day we had. The ladies in L.I.A Meladi, Molatelo, Ledile and Khutso all made sure that all systems where geared up..Together with the help of other departments, the 6th of December was a huge success...All in all we were 11 ladies and we departed at around 12pm and arrived at 1h30pm.We found the kids waiting for us with joyful smiles and expectations. As we unloaded our gifts to them,I felt also the anxiety of the ladies to just interact with them too. Mrs Mathabatha whom is the owner had prepared lunch for everyone,therefore we all ate while listening to grooving music in the background by the Djs. After we performed a play for the kids, telling the story of the birth of Jesus. The kids absolutely loved it and the seed of Jesus Christ`s love was planted in them. We then gave out gifts and and played all sorts of games with the kids, from soccer to netball and many more. Joy was the mood of the day and love was manifested. It was then time to leave and we sealed it all with thanksgiving as we prayed for everyone in that place. We would again love to extend our thanks to everyone whom made it there, and all who have donated in any form,all who just encouraged us to make the 6th of December a success. From the Ladies of LIA
Thank you for all those who supported this initiative by donating. God bless you
Volume1Issue 7
Page 7
The lady behind sedikong sa Lerato, Mrs Mathabatha and one of the L.I.A leaders, Molatelo.
Women for Jesus team
Page 8
New feature
December Update Samuel Company hosted their 3rd Women`s Conference under the title “I Am Who I Am”. Keynote speaker were Brix Rapholo, the founder of Samuel’s Company, and Mahlaku Nyembe , founder of SSisters We can. One of the key points emphasized by all the speakers was to keep your focus on God and allow Him to use your passion to fulfill your mandate on earth. There were presentation and stalls from different women who are following their passion in different business venture. All together the day was fruitful, we really learnt a lot. Thanks to Samuel’s Company for the invite JCReigns Entertainment hosted their last Poetry with Precence for 2014. Along with the awesome line up of local Poets, they also featured Penseed Poets. All the poets were on point, showing off that there is no gift that can not be used for God's glory. One of the highlights of the day had to truly be Penseed poets who took the event to a whole new level with their piece and their humilty was on another level. It was refreshing to see such awesome talent that was willing to play background while God gets all the glory.
Volume1Issue 7
Page 9
On the 22nd of November, Polokwane stood silent in solidarity with women who have experienced any form of sexual violence. WAR_RnA hosted Polokwane’s first silent protest to raise awareness on the issue of sexual violence, encouraging survivors to speak out Against any form of sexual abuse. Women for Jesus was there to support this cause and we marched from SABC park all the way to Library gardens gagged with tape and holding posters to remind survivors that they should speak out and for men to stop entitling themselves to women’s bodies. We thank Sandra Maphoto for this initiative and we hope that it grows in leaps and bounds and that enough awareness it given to this issue. Remember to contact waragainstraeplk@gmail.com if you have experienced any form of inappropriate sexual behaviour so that you can come in contact with the relevant people to help you. Its never your fault. Speak out
On the 13th of December, the she speaks ladies seminar took place at Seshego FET College. It was insightful and a definite treat for women in Polokwane. We learnt a lot and where definitely stirred up for January. The event’s host is our very own new member Refilwe Sambo, who is also a leader of Reedemed to Release. The day started off with Mrs Tlou Manyathela, runner up of Mrs South Africa, who delivered with grace and poise. She taught us on the importance of carrying yourself as a woman God created you to be and rising up to any challenge. Lebogang Tisane shed light on what it means to be a wellrounded proverbs 31 woman and first lady Grace Ramachela spoke about the challenges that face women and how to go about handling those challenges. We thank the ladies of Reedemed to Release
Page 10
New feature
We are finally a registered N.P.O After months/years of compiling the constitution, writing reports, submitting and resubmitting documents to the department of social development, we are finally a registered NPO. Though it seems like something not worth celebrating this is big for us because it means we can get funding from corporate companies and impact more than just polokwane/ church folks. We can penetrate the marketplace and spread the gospel as needed and also touch the lives of millions. As stated before, women for Jesus is more than just a ministry, its a movement created to serve and impact the lives of women for the kingdom. We are not affiliated with any church therefore we can cross boundaries and connect with women from different backgrounds and serve them as instructed by God. We are also under the guidance and counsel of other (older and wiser) eaders who steer us in the right direction because at the end of the day, we are still young women. We thank God for this #influence #goingallout
Volume1Issue 7
Page 11
December's Woman of the Month: Potifar's wife She saw a man who was handsome and well built in structure. She is probably not the only one who saw the man and thought, "God damn, he's hot." But she took it steps further. We don't know her name, but we know she was married to an Egyptian official, Potipher and the handsome lad's name was Joseph. While Joseph was carrying out his responsibilities in this woman's husband's household, desire overcame dignity and sensibility and she privately asked him for a time of sensual gratification. She wanted intercourse with the gentleman. She was turned down, over and over again. But would she take no for an answer? She was burning with desire, or maybe just deeply lonely, but she wanted the man so badly that his resistance fueled her to frame him for rape. She is long dead. She lived in a time far different from ours. But isn't her desperation to get who she wants, her desperation to fulfil her sexual desires, something we see today
I am girl and I have needs BY TUMISHO SAKO I am but flesh and spirit
Women for Jesus Ministries
My flesh has needs My spirit has needs,but who shall i listen to? I am a girl and I have needs
My flesh oh disobedient Tempted to react immediately Just as Adam was tempted and Oh the Glory of the Lord was removed away My flesh oh disobedient Which causes man to perish Instead to flourish And go out to spread the Good news I am a girl and I have needs
My flesh brings drought to my spirit My spirit suffers to the call of my flesh My flesh which say's "but no one is watching" Whereas my spirit reminds me that God's watching my every move My every move which may cause me to stumble and fall I am a girl and I have needs
I am told to sit and watch him and her get driven by their flesh The flesh,the flesh their ruler I am told to sit and watch him and her get drunken with emotions and feelings I am told that "monate ao fele go fela motho" I am a girl and I have needs
I chose to listen,i chose to be a doer and not just a hearer of the Word The Word which says flee away from sin.. Sin which drives you around Drives through drive throughs Sin that soon speeds and loses control And takes your life I am a girl and I have needs
Let me not lie to you brethren Wherever you go temptations follow you
Women for Jesus Ministries Contact Vision bearer Lebogang Tisane 0713569928 Logistics Shirley Malope 0760278395 Love in Action Molatelo Mathoko 0724213344 Meladi Montjane 0790653603 Unashamed Lerato Masenya 0797845086 Mabothaka a morena Maphuti Mashamaite 0767348886 Secretary Phethego Kgatla 0766543160 Public relations Mahlatse Tloubatla 0721265311 We’re on the Web!
Tapping into the supernatural truth; we example.com are destined for success
Birthdays Happy birthday to the following January babies Julian Mamabolo Puledi Rapetsoa Karabo Sebopa Brix Rapholo Rebone Maleka
Facebook page—Women for Jesus Instagram-womenforJesusSA Twitter-womenforJesus10 Tumblr-womenforJesussa Email– www.womenforJesus10@gmail.com