By Sam Eyoboka

WOMEN of different sizes and shapes gathered for  four days in Warri in Delta State to seek heavenly solution to prevailing socio-economic challenges. From the six geo-political zones of the country and neigbhouring countries of Benin, Togo and Cameroun, they came for one purpose; to ask God to give us this day our daily bread under the aegis of Daughters of Sarah annual convention.

*Chief Host, Pastor (Mrs.) Helen Oritsejafor (c) giving out a wrapper to one of the delegates.

Daughters of Sarah Fellowship, also known as Proverbs 31 Women, is an arm of Word of Life Bible Church consisting of women above 25 years of age, married and unmarried, under the leadership of the Pastor’s wife, Mama Helen Oritsejafor. Its primary objective is to assist the church to actualize her vision of Building the people, that build the nations and empower women spiritually, physically, materially and economically by providing an avenue where women could stand and function amongst others.

The annual event is not only a talk shop for women as Men, Youths and Children are encouraged to be part of the life-transforming spiritual fiesta. It also features an International Trade Fair where Christians have the opportunity to showcase their businesses to the world and take advantage of the convention to make brisk business.

This year’s DOS convention, described by the immediate past National President of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor as the best women convention in the history of the church, featured Came-rounian rising star, Rev. Ayuk Raymond Ayuk and seasoned motivator, Rev. Nkechi Anayo Iloputaife who joined the church matriarch to assist delegates realise their potentials to be the best they can be by beating the rest. It was a time to refocus on what’s really important in their faith, family and future as well as a time of healing, deliverance and salvation.

The opening day was a spectacle as Cameroun-based Rev. Ayuk Ayuk flagged off the four-day event with four nuggets on how to give your Samuel, emphasising that until they change their approach like biblical Hannah did God will not remove their re-proach. According to him, anybody in need of Samuel must adopt the four cardinal approaches of Hannah of worshipping God; making a vow; must not be weary if the priest misunderstand you; and must of necessity change his/her counterance.

Day two opened with another exposition by the young charismatic spiritual grandson of Papa Oritsejafor from Cameroun before the entire congregation filed out to the exhibition area outside the auditorium for the dedication of the trade fair. Guests were treated to several exhilarating dance performance typical of the Niger Delta as Edo Dancers, Igbo Dancers, Ijaw Dancers; Urhobo Dancers and the aristocratic Itsekiri group all clad in very colourful traditional attires. Immediately after the highly entertaining dances with the host couple, Papa and Mama Oritsejafor actively participating to the delight of the Word of Life family, Chief Tunde Smooth cut the tape to declare the trade fair open.

As part of the emancipation of the convening women materially and economically, there were two sessions of health and business talks to enhance skills and to stay ahead of evolving trends and build their careers while strengthening others’ small scale businesses; and health talk to assist them discover less expensive ways to live inspiring lives through natural beauty, nutrition and diet, an active lifestyle, and better relationships.

Rev. Iloputaife started her ministration with words of encouragement for the women, saying “men are not superior to women.” But before the ovation that greeted that assertion died down, she added: “They (men) are not inferior either. They are just different from the womenfolk. Women are builders. If you want to talk about bravery you talk about women.”

According to her, it’s no longer news that the world is experiencing economic crisis “but in every crisis there are opportunities. While Nigeria is facing economic recession and everybody is dejected, the current situation provides veritable opportunities for some to think better and make breakthroughs.

“Poverty is a sign of a curse. Lack is a sign of mismanagement,” she said, enjoining her listeners “they say necessity is the mother of invention. The theme of the convention, ‘Give us this day our daily bread’, is very apt because fear is already exploding in the land. Anxiety is increasing but the Bible has a word for every situation. You only need to locate the word for each day.”

In her own ministration to crown the four-day event, the matriach of the Word of Life Bible Church, Pastor (Mrs.) Oritsejafor told the womenfolk that their number one enemy in life is themselves, stressing “one of the ways we work against ourselves is when we doubt ourselves and capabilities. When you doubt your ability, you are invariably doubting God.”

The Ekiti-born Mama Helen who has spent about 20 years in Warri and still unable to speak pidgin English fluently, noted that the company the womenfolk keeps, most likely will determine how far they would go in life, “follow who know road and remember to always give God worship at all times.”

One of the highpoints of the four-day event was the empowerment programme, where 100 less privileged members of the church were selected through balot for N50,000.00 each to either revamp their businesses or start one. The gift of the N5 million didn’t come as a surprise to many, as its one of the core values of the church.

In addition, nearly all the female delegates from different parts of the country were given a wrapper each as a memento.