Women’s Editor, TEMITOPE OJO, was at the first quarterly SistersTalk meeting, organised by The Maker’s Church, and reports that the event presented an opportunity for them to speak on practical life issues that border bordering on relationships.
Before now, women were presumed to be their own greatest albatross. Many argued that those “who know” among them usually find it difficult to teach or carry others along. However, things are changing, as more women now organise talks, meetings, seminars to educate, enlighten and develop their fellow women.
One of such events took place last weekend in Lagos. Venue was The Maker’s Church, Ojodu-Abiodun, Berger, Lagos. It was this year’s first edition of the SistersTalk meeting, which holds quarterly.
The fun-filled but spiritual meeting was strictly for women.
With the theme ‘Intercontinental woman’, women came dressed in apparels from various countries. They came dressed in traditional attires of Mexico, Scotland, Romania, China, United Kingdom and Canada. Even the African countries were ably represented and some came dressed in attires from Egypt, South Africa, Ghana and Senegal.
The ambience of the venue indicated that guests were out for an inter-continental experience; after all with the hall colourfully decorated with the flags of different countries. The ushers were dressed in Egyptian attires.
A special rendition of songs and dance by the Hausa/Fulani followed prayers and singing of Nigeria’s national anthem which were used to kick off the event.
Speaking at the event, Senior Pastor of The Maker’s Church, Ojodu, Marvelous Lamai, admonished the women not to limit themselves in any way, but to broaden their horizon to meet the demands of their natural abilities.
Speaking on the topic, ‘Get ready for inter-continental connections’, he stated that being an inter-continental woman does not just happen; the woman has to be ready.
He continued with readings from the book of Revelations chapter 19: “Let us rejoice and shout for joy (exulting and triumphant)! Let us celebrate and ascribe to Him glory and honour, for the marriage of the Lamb (at last) has come, and His bride has prepared herself7.
“She has been permitted to dress in fine (radiant) linen, dazzling and white – for the fine linen is (signifies, represents) the righteousness (the upright, just, and godly living, deeds, and conduct, and right standing with God) of the saints (God’s holy people)8.”
Lamai posited that even before a woman gets married, there is something wifely about her. He said: “Women naturally think of marriage because they were born into it. Adam was made and put into the garden, but God made the woman out of a finished product – a functional man. Her first experience was marriage. Women are natural organisers. When a woman is the opposite of that, then something is wrong.”
He noted that the foundation of a glorious marriage starts with the individual male and female, adding that until you become single and satisfied, you may not be able to make a success of marriage.
“If you want good things, you have to get ready to be good yourself. Your value system will determine your outcome in life. You must get yourself ready; invest in mental, psychological, educational and physical development, instead of spending time on Facebook and other social media doing nothing meaningful,” he added.
Another quality that an inter-continental woman must develop, according to Lamai, is that she must be intelligent.
“Like begets like. If you want good things, be good. Your husband cannot be talking in one direction and you are saying the opposite, so much so that he will not be proud to take you out. The moment you get married, don’t relax. Continue to work on yourself, develop your intelligence, buy and read books, expose yourself in knowing how to cook different dishes, develop your dress sense, talking and carriage.”
Speaking further on dressing, Lamai stated: “It is only those with local mentalities that expose themselves. Good things come covered. Respect yourself.”
The cleric described some women as suffering from “post-donation neglect”, adding that an inter-continental woman is bold, neat and organised.
For those who are married, Lamai gave this word of advice. “Men do not want sex; they need it. Give it to them well.” He backed his view with a verse from the book of Proverbs 27: A satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb, but to a hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet7.
“A man who is satisfied at home, if you give him honey outside, he will reject it. But a man who leaves home hungry, everything will look good. Don’t starve your husband of sex, food and your time,” he expatiated.
He added that an inter-continental woman is one who knows her worth and does everything noble to protect it.
As part of activities to spice up the day, women were asked to randomly identify the flags. Prizes were given to those who made correct identifications.
To educate the women more, ladies dressed in specific attires of countries also spoke on the countries they ‘represented’.
The choir also ministered in praise and worship songs from various countries. In fact there was no dull moment!
With sumptuous inter-continental dishes, the guest were nicely treated, and everyone present went home with a gift.
SistersTalk is an arm of The Maker’s Church, birthed through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit specifically to reach out to single ladies (21 years and above) and young married women in the area of relationships. It is a forum where ladies come together to discuss practical life issues bordering on relationships, without holding back. It currently runs quarterly and is being anchored by Pastor Adenike Lamai, co-pastor of The Maker’s Church and President of Hadassah Healing Foundation.
It is wholly faith-based, very practical and unique in its approach, and offers so much fun, yet so impactful and spirit-filled.
