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GRACIOUS WOMEN GRATITUDE MAGAZINE 2 From the Heart of the Publisher 3 Featured Article: Soaring Like an 6 Testimonials Eagle 14 The Ps in Life 8 Meet Gracious Women Leadership Team 10 Empowering Words 17 Advertisements November 2020

From the Heart of discover our calling we are liberated. We become valuable to each other as Paul said in Romans 12:6-8: the Publisher “In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability Welcome to the first edition of the Gracious to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has Women Gratitude Magazine. The year given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them 2020 has indeed been a year of vision while well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to we had our mouths closed and isolated. encourage others, be encouraging.” Most of our meetings have been on zoom where if ever If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you you wanted to see clearly you needed to zoom in. leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. If I believe there is no greater time than now as a woman you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it to have a vision for your life. As we have been building gladly. ourselves up during the year I discovered that a life As we all searched and asked God, we found ourselves without a vision leads to misery. full of excitement in a year of uncertainty. Each one of Vision gives one purpose and it enables one to know us will discover that there is much more the Lord has where they are going. It empowers one to continue for us and the vision is getting clearer for each and trusting and believing until they see the manifestation every one of us. of their vision. The exciting part is we are continuing to build each While COVID-19 caused many to panic, I realised it other in our most Holy faith. was an opportunity for many to reset and realign. The My prayer for you is that you will seek the Lord as we pandemic came with many challenges and it exposed enter into 2021 and have a vision for your life and be areas that most of us had neglected and at times areas blessed in the New Year! that we had become too familiar with. For instance, as I spoke to many young moms having to TENDAI TOGARA work from home and home schooling, it has been such a stressful situation. However, most were amazed at how much their children improved in their learning at home. Having the whole family home together without a break from each other has been really a time to rediscover each other. This year, as Gracious Women, our theme is 2020 VISION. We are looking at how we can hear from God about our purpose on this earth. As we travailed the year with the challenges the came with it, we discovered that each one of us has a unique calling that has an eternal reward. It is our responsibility to discover and nurture the calling of God upon our lives. The most profound thing I found is that when we 2

Featured Article: her yearning for spiritual connection and God speaking Soaring Like an to her to start leading women. I guess from then, it was official, my friend Lorraine and I were Gracious Women Eagle members. Heading to the Spirit MABBLE MUNYIMANI I remember my first Gracious Women meeting, like it was yesterday. My friend called me on a Saturday morning, saying let us attend this meeting. I felt a strong pulling and need to go. Prior to that, I had been struggling, for a couple of years since moving to Australia with a lack of spiritual connection. I longed for something that I did not know what it looked like exactly. But I knew I had a void. So when my dear friend, Lorraine contacted me to attend this meeting, one Saturday morning in November 2013, it didn’t matter that it was short notice, I yielded to the call. I then called my sister and encouraged her to join us. We made our way to the meeting. The room and set up were so inviting, I remember the ladies who welcomed us, so warm and pure. Pretty early on I knew this was different. The meeting was amazing, Holy Ghost filled, from the praise and worship to all the anointed speakers who shared that day. I particularly remember Pastor Salome Chifamba, who shared. She was so articulate, filled with truth and wisdom. I was amazed by her confidence and poise, and she was a woman of God. I love that combination. I said to myself, “I want that.” It was a beautiful day of women praising and worshipping God. There was an authenticity that I felt, it was purposeful and very genuine. My spirit felt alive. That evening, when I lay my head to bed, God said and I quote, “in order for you to get to where you need to go, you need to connect with this Tendai.” I had to obey. I contacted my friend again and suggested we pay Tendai a visit. We did and she made room for us in her house. We connected, and Tendai explained to us about Gracious Women, the birth-place of the vision, 3

We attended the Saturday meetings, then from Tendai The Messenger Tendai’s house. When you are in such an environment, you can only grow. I personally gained confidence in I remember during the early days of attending the my Christian walk. I became confident in hearing from meetings, Tendai came to visit. During that meeting, God, and most importantly to be quick to act on his I was going on about my life, my children and my instruction. When the speakers shared, they would situation. My situation was that I was a nurse, stuck often say, “then God said to me”, or “God told me”. For in a job, that I did not enjoy and I had no option or me it was empowering. It normalised things for me, alternative. I had been a victim who was made to study which God does speak to us, and it is ok. a course I didn’t like, “poor me”. But what Tendai said I enjoyed being in the company of spirit filled women, not only shocked me, it surprised me. She told me that I and I learnt to interceded for each other. We prayed for had a choice in the career I took up, that I had a choice our families, our husbands and children. We prayed for in where I work now. I was astounded by her words. our workplaces, our city and our country. We left no I thought she was mean, and quite insensitive. How stone unturned. could she say that, clearly she does not understand my situation! As she left, I was left with some bitterness, I Gracious Women Culture thought how this visit was rather fruitless. “She didn’t even get it at all, Tendai doesn’t even understand me.” As Gracious Women grew, the prominent thing Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t that Tendai was rude that remained distinctive of the group, is that each or anything like that. She just spoke out the truth and individual was never just a number. Tendai knows each remained respectful. She just delivered what was member personally. It still amazes me how she does meant to be said and I took offense. it. She is very attentive to every lady’s needs and that Tendai had been the first person to tell me the truth. is the culture of the group. You are never alone, in I needed to hear that. It was exactly what I needed to anything, there is always a sister to pray with you, and hear in order for me to arise from my slumber. In order to walk with you. It is not superficial. It is as real as it to take charge of my life, I had to be told that I have a gets. Whatever you lack in the spirit and in the physical, say in my life and what happens in it. And I thank God the ladies make sure you are covered. God sends the for Tendai for being bold enough to speak the truth. appropriate messenger to meet your need. Every woman needs a “Tendai” in their life! I had been There are many incidents I can talk about, but the two awakened. I was upset with Tendai for a couple of days, that stand out for me are the 4 ladies who turned up at but now she is my mentor and role model. She is the my door with food, love and their stories of hope when type of friend who allows you cry for two, maybe 5 I went through my miscarriage. They shared their own minutes if you are lucky, but then we wipe our tears journeys and how they had received their victories. I away, get up, we roll up our sleeves, and fight, take the was encouraged, replenished ad empowered to step stance, whatever you have to. But we do not spend up my faith and not sit in the valley of despair. much time wallowing. My father passed on this April 2020, and again the support of the Gracious Women was overwhelming. I Discovering My Purpose was strengthened during this difficult time, they were present with my sister because she was unable to be Because of the learning environment of Gracious with the rest of the family, and they encouraged my Women, there are plenty of opportunities for growth. mother via zoom, it was powerful beyond words. I am From developing practical skills to spiritual skills. But eternally grateful. you have to have the attitude to want to learn, and to get stuck in and get your hands dirty as they say. I 4

took up opportunities that contributed to my growth. calling and not compromise. I am that woman today. I lead the hospitality department at conferences, to My children are my first ministry and I have been interceding for the conference. I learnt how to run an equipped to walk in it. Similar to the soldiers, who go event by being involved in setting up, setting down, into camp for training, but eventually there comes a decorating, and welcoming guests and at one time I time when they have to go out to an official duty, to go was on the platform. I learnt so much about teamwork. fight the war. And now and again, they go back to the It is truly an amazing environment. barracks for rest, and replenish. That is how I feel about I continued to attend the meetings, with a heart to Gracious Women. And sometimes it feels a lot safer to learn. I was a student and Gracious Women was my stay in the barracks, it is safe there. It is comfortable, classroom with amazing teachers. When the student but that is not the design of Gracious Women. It is was ready, the teachers arrived, because I can about equipping us for our battlefields, then we must confidently say 2013 to 2020, were the years I have GO. The Saturday meetings, the conferences, the grown, both spiritually and as a woman. I learnt to be connections, they are for influence ad not for personal a woman of prayer, and when to speak the word to consumption. situations. I learnt about fighting the good fight of faith, I am the founder of Gifted Consultancy, a company that and to be bold and courageous as is the character of a empowers families to identify their children’s gifts and Christian woman. I help them create and implement a nurture plan- to Tendai would continue to speak on “arising woman of move the gift from potential to reality. I wouldn’t have God”, “To walk in Purpose”, “to walk worthy of our call.” arrived to this place without Gracious Women. Yes, And the beginning, it didn’t make sense, but I pushed Tendai prepares us women for the market too! through because it was a spiritual thing. Things have I am an author to a book soon to be published, Living to be birthed in the spirit before they manifest into The Gift Out Loud. I am far from the lady Tendai first the world. This is what I learnt. She would say “you are visited, who thought, she had no control of anything, an eagle Mabble, arise, timidity is not your portion”, it that she was a victim of circumstances. I have taken really challenged me. It made me look into myself. What all that we have been taught and actioned it. That is was she seeing, that I couldn’t see? It was frustrating at what faith is about. We are kings (daughters) sitting in times, painful, and really difficult to comprehend, but I heavenly places and we must possess the land. A faith kept at it. walk is taking the step forward despite not having the full picture, trusting He who made you and whose you The Woman I am Today. are. We are designed for more than we can even dare think or imagine, but how will we ever know if we do As I write this article, I am in Spain, a “million miles” not step out on the ideas we have. away from Australia, but it’s who I have become that God speaks to us in dreams, in ideas and through I can do and be who I am today. My two boys are people. I have witnessed powerful speakers in Gracious pursuing careers in sport. I have left my regular work, Women who are doing great things in the marketplace, so that I can support them in their dream. With this and I was inspired, and I said to myself, I want to be dream, it takes me all over the country and the world. like that. That is what Gracious Women has given me, But I am confident that I can do all that I can to be all both spiritual and practical examples of mighty women that the boys need to be. As I am now forced to attend of God who have tapped into what God has designed the official meetings less now, I know I am connected. them to be and are confidently fulfilling their calls. Not But most importantly I am empowered to fulfil my only did I acquire the Why, I acquired the How- how calling. Tendai would often say, don’t worry if you to do what I needed to do, a roadmap to empowered cannot attend the meeting, you are committed to your living. first ministry. Gracious Women allows you to see who you are designed to be, empowered you to walk in your We Are Already Who We Are Aspiring To Be. 5

In conclusion, I am reminded of Mary who sat at Jesus’ TESTIMONIALS side as he taught. I feel that has been my life for the last seven years, I have been sitting under Tendai’s _ Determination and study (2 Timothy 2:15) leadership, soaking in all the knowledge, wisdom and _ Determination and study (2 Timothy 2:15) power. The ministry structure is like Jesus’ ministry- we are equipped, trained, empowered, discipled and then we go to fulfil our calling. All I can say is, thank you Tendai and the leadership she has put forward and for adhering to the word of God. Thank you, Gracious Women for strengthening my faith, empowering me, for helping me find my purpose and for being with me through life’s journey. I love my every sister of Gracious Women, you are all precious and special in God’s eyes and He has a purpose and a place for each and every one of us. God does not give a mission without a mission field He deploys us to specific environment and people. There is a specific people He has called you to. Take heed and push through to what God is calling you to be and do. Look and hear it with your spiritual senses, put the work in, do not be afraid, and make sure you are planted to a group that is equipped to help you fulfil, that which has been put on your heart. This year has been a year where I have had to push myself to get results. And I managed to achieve that through attending intentional living course and I have a new focus. I was determined to know my redemptive gift and I did so through attending the course for the second time, only this time I had the right attitude and gave it the attention it deserved. I was also determined to get my driving licence which I managed to get after I became intentional about getting it before the year end and setting a deadline. I am ever so thankful for the Intentional living course because it has taught me to do things promptly and to set up goals that can be achieved within a set time frame. I am also thankful to God for getting me this far this year with all the challenges that we have had to navigate, I am grateful that I can see His hand in all of this. – Gondai 6

_ Removing the Mask (John 8:32) _ Seek and You will Find (Jeremiah 29:13) I came to my first Gracious Women Conference in In August 2020, as Gracious Women focused on 2013. It was such a significant time for me. I was discovering our mission, God gave me a vision to “feeling stuck” and hopeless and wore a mask daily to create a forum where mums come together to pray hide my inner torment. over children. As I started to pray over the vision, God I used to be the one in the corner of the room, blending gave me Psalms 16:11 - which our children walk in the well in the background, I would barely make a sound or path of life, fullness of Joy, and the pleasures of God. eye contact. I discussed and prayed for more clarity with Tendai Gracious women believes in empowering women to and that’s how MumsRinterceding was birthed. We walk worthy of their calling. So I could not continue currently have a Facebook page and have been praying wearing a mask. It’s been a journey and a process of via Zoom every other Sunday. God has been faithful letting go and allowing God to mould and shape us. Over and every time we’ve met, there’s been tremendous the years I have committed to God and grown to know power available as we prayed in and by the Holy Spirit. Him and discover myself. Now standing before you is a woman who knows that a life without God, without –Taiwo prayer, without true fellowship is short changed of purpose and destiny. I have become passionate about prayer because I have seen what it can unlock and the intimacy one can have with God. I am excited about life again and empowered for young women and communities as a whole to experience and encounter the true and living God, to be set free like I am and to know that with God nothing is impossible, your past doesn’t define you and to experience His never ending love. -Teazel 7

MEET GRACIOUS WOMEN LEADERSHIP TEAM ABIGAIL RUZIVE Zimbabwean born Abigail moved to Australia with her four children in 2009 to join her husband who had moved 3 months earlier in 2008. Her passion to continue serving God in a more significant way found her joining Gracious Women in its early days and this was in addition to volunteering at Helping Hand (Valley Christian Church Community initiative). Abigail’s passion for serving families has motivated her to pursue a career in social work, a profession she has found fulfilling. She is the founding leader of the first Gracious Women sub-branch in Gippsland. ESTHER NJOROGE Esther Njoroge is born again, married and a mother of LORRAINE VERE 2 girls. She is an RN, currently working as Director of Nursing. Lorraine is a mother of two boys, a wife a sister, a She has been a Gracious woman for the last 7 years of friend, an employee. She is a senior CATT Clinician which 5 years she has been part of the Gracious Women with mental health background. Her passion in life is to leadership. She oversees research and development. empower other women as I have been empowered. Her passion is to see women connected because when Her first born birthright which comes with favour and women come together amazing things happen and get great responsibility has challenged her to go through empowered by the word of God to live for the Lord in life celebrating the mountain moments and weeping every aspect of their life. through the valley experiences. God led Lorraine to Gracious Women 8 years ago 8 where she has grown and has risen to be the Gracious Women Communications and Welfare officer.

NYARIE SEMU profession for thirteen years. Teazel is also a counsellor and has founded her counselling practice; From The Nyarie is an ambassador of God who loves to see God’s Heart Counselling. love & unity in relationships. Other than God, family is She is passionate about empowering young people and everything to Nyarie. Her desire is to see strong thriving women to live their authentic self; free from stigma relationships for the Kingdom of God, to see families and restrictions of mental health. She joined Gracious leaving a legacy of unified relationships for the future Women in 2013. Over the years she has developed a generation. Nyarie has over 15 years of experience in passion for prayer. the accounting and business administration sectors In 2018 she became the Prayer Co-ordinator, leading where she has held various positions. She looks after and guiding the women in weekly prayer and seasonal Gracious Women Finances as a Treasurer. She is an themes of prayer throughout each year. Teazel is also upcoming author and a business owner of Essential one of the weekly bloggers on the Found by Grace Cleaning Services. Page. She is devoted amd committed to encourage and (https://essentialcleaningservices.com.au/) build faith through her writing. TEAZEL KAWOME TENDAI TOGARA Teazel is a mother of two children. She has trained in Tendai is a thought leader and an accomplished mental health and has been working as a nurse in the business woman with a background in real estate and public relations. Tendai has a distinguished reputation as a woman of transformational faith. She is the founder of Found by Grace Ministries where she has transformed the lives of many women, by equipping them to know their worth and walk worthy of their destiny .She is also a sought after inspirational speaker, who inspires deep faith, bigger vision and bold initiatives. Tendai is a co-author and Transformational Relationship Coach who works with couples, and individual partners to create synergistic and profitable relationships. Tendai’s passion is lifting others, elevating their thoughts and activating them to fulfil their destiny by using her 6-Steps to Transformational relationship method. She has dedicated her life to transforming communities by building and restoring relationships at both personal and business sphere. 9

EMPOWERING WORDS EMPOWERING WORDS TEAZEL KAWOME “God is never changing, He is as consistent in His word as He was, when He first spoke it. We just need to believe it and stand on it, no matter what.” PROSPER BAMFORD “My word of wisdom is: God is in control.” VARAIDZO DYER “In the midst of it all, God remains constant and faithful despite our many inconsistancies” SERINA OGBUOKIRI “In all your ways acknowledge God and he will direct your path.” PHILIPA BERE “I cannot do what you do. You cannot do what I can do. Together we can do great things.” 10

HEIDI HANSLO EMPOWERING WORDS “WHO you are is GODS gift to you. What you do with yourself is Your gift to GOD. Scripture for 2020 - 1 Peter 4:10.” PATIENCE NGWENYA “The moment I appreciated my God given measure of FAITH!, within me I began to enjoy a huge reserve of patience, courage, hope, calmness, and assuring trust that all will come out well - even though to other people it may appear to come out most badly.” GONDAI MAUNGANIDZE “Journey of self-discovery and redirection in Christ. Knowing my life’s purpose and stepping into it with intentionality anchored by faith.” CONCILIA CHITSA “There is no miracle without a test. In it all God is faithful. He never sleeps nor slumbers.” EMOLEUM MOE “Finish what you have started in life-given revelations to the One who acknowledge through Christ Jesus Our LORD” 11

BERNARDENE SMITH EMPOWERING WORDS “Evaluate everything you do by its value in eternity.” VICTORIA MACHIRI “I know who I am and whose I AM. I am DEEPLY loved by Him. I am VICTORIOUS. I am accepted as I am. God has a great plan and purpose for my life. Jeremiah 29:11.” ABIGAIL RUZIVE “Always remember goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives. As we obey our heavenly Father.” TRUDI MUPONDA “God will use the heart that’s willing to serve him.” ANNA NYATSANZA “Psalm 23: The Lord is my Shepard......” 12

LORRAINE VERE EMPOWERING WORDS “Allow God to stride you from surviving to thriving. He is always faithful.” TENDAI TOGARA “When I was young I thought obedience would lead me to slavery and lack of freedom .As a grown woman I now know obedience leads to freedom and blessings. “ ANNA MASOHA “You are created for more, pursue and you will recover all” TAIWO AYOOLA OSENI “John 11:40 “If you believe, you will see the glory of God’” KHEM PORY “Obedience is The Key to the Kingdom of God” PATIENCE MPONDA “Nothing is too big for Our Lord, He always makes a way where seems to be no way.” 13

THE Ps IN LIFE “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six The most important Ps in a woman’s life by Tendai Togara months it did not rain on the earth.” James 5 17. As a leader I have learnt to rely on the following Ps in order to be faithful to my calling. This gave me confidence that I too could see restoration for my family and I began to believe that my father who 1. Promises of God had rejected us would come back to us. This led me to the second P. 2. Prayer When I read the word of God l choose to understand it and believe it despite my circumstances and situations. Let me give an example; Luke1:17 says, “He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of I began to pray for my family and trust that if God has Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ promised and if I ask him and believe he will definitely and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make grant it for me. During the time of prayer I experienced great opposition. But that taught me patience and ready a people prepared for the Lord.” perseverance. I had received the promise in my heart and began to When I read this word I believed that he said John the put my faith in action by praying and sharing with my Baptist would move in the spirit of Elijah and he will siblings that our father will come back to us. My siblings turn the heart of the fathers to the children. So I took were not happy to hear me say this. Some began to some time to understand Elijah then I came across, mock. 14

They didn’t understand the revelation I had received. That was discouraging but I was determined and I became aware that I needed to prepare my siblings for restoration. 3. Preparation The preparation in witnessing to my siblings that we are to be born again and receive Christ was really challenging. As I looked at the Promise of God I came across the Harlot Rahab who had her family saved. I believed that God in his merry and grace would save my family too. 4. Persistence and Perseverance Persistence and perseverance in encouraging my siblings became a pleasure. I started to come across others who had seen salvation for their family. I came across the promise of the power of agreement, “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you.” Mathew 18:19 So I asked the Lord to send me a prayer partner and he did at different stages of my journey .While I believed, I began to see my siblings turning to our heavenly father. Salvation came after years of encouraging, praying and trusting that God was going to make everything beautiful in his time. When my sibling became believers I thought they were prepared to believe with me but again I learnt to be patient. They needed healing from the abuse, abandonment and rejection. During the waiting period I learnt to put my trust in the work of the Holy Spirit. The promise of God encouraged me to stand firm in the liberty I received in Christ Jesus. Read Galatians Chapter 5. 5. Patience I waited patiently and had to be humble in order to resist the temptation of frustration and wanting to see restoration in my time but Gods timing. It is this time that I became aware of who I am in Christ. 15

6. Praise One morning the Holy Spirit said, “Tendai Praise the Lord.” I thought to myself what? “Praise the Lord, give thanks.” So I obeyed and began to praise the Lord with singing, praying and crying tears of joy and gratitude began to stream down my tears. I got to understand and experience the most powerful praise and thanks giving. After 19 years of standing on the promise of God my biological father was restored to me and my siblings. My siblings now know the promise of God. Together we believe in our heavenly father and I pray you will also adopt these Ps. } Promises of God, which is the word of God. } Prayer, which is intimacy and communication with God. } Preparation of sharing the gospel when it’s difficult. } Persistence and perseverance, which builds character. } Patience, which is the fruit of the Spirit. } Praise, which invites the Lord to dwell with us. 16

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Buy your next flower arrangement for your loved one from FUNKIBUDS. FUNKIBUDS was birthed by Hiedi after a time of postnatal depression. As she began to work on her healing she was searching for God’s hand and she realised she did not need to search far as He was close in the flower garden. Hiedi began to hear God through flowers. Heide grew up with a mother and father who loved flowers. With this background, Heidi took up a course in florist and now has a passion in making flower arrangements to bring hope in times of bereavement. Heidi says 2020 has been great year for investing and training. She has made flowers to donate being led by the Holy Spirit. All her arrangements tell a story. When one of our Gracious Women lost her father this year, Heidi made an amazing arrangement that had many tear drops that said “we are with you though we are in isolation”. I want to encourage to visit FUNKIBUDS for your next flower purchase if you are in the Casey area. 20