The words above are just four ways of saying `Hello' that you might hear spoken in South Africa and there are another seven official languages also in use. Often called the `Rainbow Nation', South Africa is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in Africa. With eleven official languages every citizen is given the constitutional right to be educated or heard in their own language. English is used by the Government and is becoming the language most commonly spoken by people in their diversity.

The Women's World Day of Prayer service this year has been prepared by Christian women from South Africa. Entitled `Signs of the Times', the service bravely faces up to the numerous problems which have to be realistically faced, not only in that country but throughout the world; problems which could be overwhelming if it wasn't for the women's complete trust in a God who can empower and enable them to work to bring about changes for good.

Each year Christian women, in a different country, are chosen to write a service which is then translated into over one thousand languages for use worldwide on a common day of prayer which is always held on the first Friday of March. The day starts as morning comes first over the islands of Tonga and prayers continue around the world, until the last service takes place on St Lawrence
Island off the coast of Alaska.

Our speaker this year is Telda Peskett who was brought up in South Africa and often returns there. We invite you to come and enjoy the service with men, women and young people throughout the world on the