Sistas Unite
"A local and global responsibility to bring love, hope and dignity to others"
Sistas Unite simply expresses our heart as a conference in uniting the women of our nation and the Pacific to make a difference in their world, be it in their own backyard or the other side of the world! The heartbeat of Sistas has always to look beyond ourselves and outward to a hurting world that has yet to experience the love of Jesus.
This year's theme "...it's a Love Revolution" provided the perfect platform to really focus on lifting the profile and importance of loving our world in very simple and practical ways.
The ministries we are continuing to support, thanks to your generous partnership are Watoto in Africa, "The Two Sue's" from Hagar's After Care Programme in Cambodia and A Girl Called Hope for young NZ Women. Let's not forget the beautiful people that God has placed in your "everyday world" to love on! Let's look at what has been happening and what we would love to see happen this year as you go home to your "everyday world" inspired.
A Global Focus:
Watoto - Living Hope & Baby Watoto
For a number of years now we have been partnering with the lovely Marilyn Skinner and Watoto and this year is no exception. Watoto operates to restore the lives of teh most marginalised and wounded people in Uganda - the women and children. The target group is HIV+ women, returnees from abduction into the Lord's Resistance Army and orphaned children. Through your generosity we have been able to help transform the lives of the abandoned, widowed and the many HIV+ women in Kampala and Gulu. Your partnership with us at Sistas 2010 in conjunction with Pumpkin Patch saw us able to purchase new baby clothes for orphaned babies at Baby Watoto! Thank you! Together we are making a difference in many precious little lives!!
Our goal this year at Conference 2011 was to raise enough funds to fully renovate and decorate a lounge being a peaceful, safe and secure space where the women who have been mutilated can heal physically, psychologically and spiritually before and after the extensive facial reconstructive surgery they receive. It is so exciting to see what we can accomplish when we partner together!
If you want to know more about Watoto check out www.watoto.com
Hagar International
Hagar does an incredible work in Cambodia helping young women and children recover from the cruel exploitation of sex trafficking and slave labour. no child should ever have to suffer the cruelty these young ones have, and without support they are unlikely to recover. Our efforts together at Sistas can literally change the lives and future of these young girls. This year at conference Hagar invited us to join their "Journey to Life", a journey that will transform the lives of these young women and children and give them a hope and a future.
Find out more. www.hagarinternational.org
A National Focus:
A Girl Called Hope
A Girl Called Hope has a special place in our hearts as it was birthed right here in the Sistas Women's Conference. Through the generosity of many Sistas nationwide, A Girl Called Hope has been able to help impact and change young girl's lives here in our own nation who have struggled with life controlling issues. It isn't only one girl's life that is impacted but also families and future generations as a result of one girl being given the opportunity to restore, refocus and realign their life, and get back on track. Never underestimate the difference your contribution makes. www.agirlcalledhope.org.nz
A Local Focus:
Love In Action
We are passionate about empowering women to begin a "love revolution" in their own backyards. It's simple, it's united, it's simply LOVE IN ACTION!
Why not join us on Facebook www.facebook.com/SistasUnite to see how as a group of women in our local church at LIFE we have started a "Love Revolution" at both ends of the age spectrum and also share with us some of your stories!
We have been "clothed in strength and dignity" Psalm 31:25, therefore we can bring dignity to others regardless of their age or circumstances. I am sure that wherever God has placed you, that there is opportunity all around you to begin to live out this "love revolution".
Here is a beautiful quote from Saint Augustine - "Since love grows within you, so beauty grows. For love is the beauty of the soul." We'd love to hear about what you're doing so why not join us on Facebook and follow us on twitter and keep us up to date on your local "Love In Action" initiatives.
Surprise a Sista
Every year at Sistas we love to surprise someone who could do with a little TLC, some gifts and encouragement. If you know of someone in your world, a friend, neighbour, anyone who has been doing it tough and deserves spoiling: then along with one other friend write in and tell us a little about their life and why they deserve the 'Surprise a Sista' nomination. Phone 09 306 4225 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to receive an application form.
Sponsor a Sista
We are offering an awesome opportunity for you to help anonymously sponsor a beautiful sista who may not be able to attend this year because of financial difficulties beyond their circumstances. Your kindness and generosity could literally change the course of someone's life by enabling them to be at Sistas. Many varied testimonies come back to us via email and cards every year of how God changed someone's life when they were at Conference. Either from something the speaker said, during worship, or just being in the company of faith-filled women. You can donate a full registration or even a partial registration to the "Sponsor a Sista" fund. To make a full donation please fill in a registration form and post it to us with your payment with 'Sponsor a Sista' written in the name details. Alternatively you may sponsor with a partial donation, either on the registration form, or select the Sponsor a Sista box and type in your donation amount when registering online.
If you would like to apply for a full or partial sponsorship to enable you to attend the conference, then please contact us for an application form via email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone 09 306 4225.
James 3:16-18 This is how we know what love is: Christ gave his life for us. We too, ought to give our lives for others! If we are rich and see others in need, yet close our hearts against them, how can we claim that we love God? My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action.