This week we are having a time of prayer and fasting for one of our women, Ala*. We ask you to join us in prayer for her.
Ala was one of the first women in our home. She came with her preschool daughter. A few months after she came, we found out she had a boyfriend, and at the New Year she became pregnant with his child. This is the pregnancy which you prayed for and we have a very healthy baby boy in the home now.
In this first year with Ala surrendered her life to Jesus. We see such an incredible change in her life, but she still has a hard time seeing a better future. She has a hard time dreaming that her life can be anything greater and the boyfriend is a safety net. Yet, in the past few weeks, she is seeing that the new life she is living does not fit with the life the boyfriend lives.
This past Friday she asked that we'd pray specifically for her this week. She wants the strength break free from the boyfriend and she wants to see that her life can be something. Interestingly, the boyfriend has begun to ask questions about her new faith. So we are praying either that she breaks free or that he comes to the Lord and is changed.
Thanks for your prayers.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Healthy Baby
This week at the Home of Hope we rejoice at the birth of a healthy 8 pound baby boy. Babies are a normal thing and so many are healthy, but I believe that Baby S is truly a miracle.
When his mama, Ala*, came to our home, she needed medical care. Infection and problems filled her womb. Not long after she came we found out she was pregnant. I first thought that there was no way this pregnancy would ever come to completion.
It was in July, after several rounds of antibiotics that the doctors said she was still filled with infection and that she'd have to be admitted in the hospital. She would most likely lose the baby.
The staff and residents of the Home gathered around her. We prayed fervently for her. My prayer for her, "Lord, reveal yourself to her. Show her Your power. Show her your love for her." The next day she went for more testing and all tests came back negative. All infection disappeared. Only last week I realized that from that moment on, her at risk pregnancy had become a normal pregnancy. This week we welcomed a healthy baby boy into the world.
I'm so thankful to Jesus for His power and work in the lives of the women at the Home. God is so good. He has a plan, not only for Ala's life, but the life of her daughter and son also.
Please continue to pray for our women, our staff and our country, Moldova.
When his mama, Ala*, came to our home, she needed medical care. Infection and problems filled her womb. Not long after she came we found out she was pregnant. I first thought that there was no way this pregnancy would ever come to completion.
It was in July, after several rounds of antibiotics that the doctors said she was still filled with infection and that she'd have to be admitted in the hospital. She would most likely lose the baby.
The staff and residents of the Home gathered around her. We prayed fervently for her. My prayer for her, "Lord, reveal yourself to her. Show her Your power. Show her your love for her." The next day she went for more testing and all tests came back negative. All infection disappeared. Only last week I realized that from that moment on, her at risk pregnancy had become a normal pregnancy. This week we welcomed a healthy baby boy into the world.
I'm so thankful to Jesus for His power and work in the lives of the women at the Home. God is so good. He has a plan, not only for Ala's life, but the life of her daughter and son also.
Please continue to pray for our women, our staff and our country, Moldova.
Monday, October 05, 2009
Coming home
Our girl, Masha* is coming home.
Masha came back to us in late July. Two weeks later her "boyfriend" tried to get her back. We had thought ahead of this and when he showed up again, we sent her to a Teen Challenge rehab center. The two months away have been hard and wonderful for her. She wants to come back home.
Please pray for her as she transitions back into life in the home. Pray that God would continue the healing in her life. Pray that the guy would stay away and that she will stay strong. The time away was good. She understands who Jesus is now and He is in her life. She wants to be baptized. But we know the battle is not over. Will you pray for her?
Pray also for Andy & me in this month. We do more than just the Home of Hope! We currently have a Convoy of Hope intern team here. They are in a village in the north of Moldova, doing a month of outreach. We also have a church construction team of men here and on Wednesday another team will join them for another week of church construction. Pray that God would bless their time. That this church would come together so that they will have a building to meet in this winter. Pray for safety and health for all the team members. Pray also for us and the rest of our AGWM team. It is a busy month for all of us. We need God's grace and mercy for this time.
Thanks for your prayers.
Masha came back to us in late July. Two weeks later her "boyfriend" tried to get her back. We had thought ahead of this and when he showed up again, we sent her to a Teen Challenge rehab center. The two months away have been hard and wonderful for her. She wants to come back home.
Please pray for her as she transitions back into life in the home. Pray that God would continue the healing in her life. Pray that the guy would stay away and that she will stay strong. The time away was good. She understands who Jesus is now and He is in her life. She wants to be baptized. But we know the battle is not over. Will you pray for her?
Pray also for Andy & me in this month. We do more than just the Home of Hope! We currently have a Convoy of Hope intern team here. They are in a village in the north of Moldova, doing a month of outreach. We also have a church construction team of men here and on Wednesday another team will join them for another week of church construction. Pray that God would bless their time. That this church would come together so that they will have a building to meet in this winter. Pray for safety and health for all the team members. Pray also for us and the rest of our AGWM team. It is a busy month for all of us. We need God's grace and mercy for this time.
Thanks for your prayers.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
This week I reminded the staff at the Home of Hope that our struggle is not against flesh and blood. The work we are doing is truly a spiritual battle for the lives of the women we are helping.
When working with women who have been so traumatized, the results can be slow in coming. Discouragement can set in. We see one woman make a good choice while the next makes the choice to walk away from the freedom she is finding.
In late July I wrote that one of our girls had run away from the home. She is our youngest girl, and she'd given her heart to the Lord at a camp in June. But the battle for her life was not over. A few weeks ago we finally located her in her village. She has no parents and thought she enjoyed the freedom there. But this week she went to her village social worker and asked to come back. So we pray again for her, that Christ would give her joy and peace in Him.
We also took in a new woman this past week. She comes with a 4 1/2 year old daughter. They had been living on the street and another of our girls saw them and told us her story and her need for help. Pray that Nelly* finds freedom in Christ. She also has some health issues. Pray for her complete healing.
I'm also rejoicing because I've hired a national director for the ministry. She is an amazing young woman who has been on the staff. She has such a vision for what God is going to do in the ministry now and in the future.
Please continue to pray for the women in the home. Pray as our young one returns home. Pray that she'd truly be set free in Christ.
Pray for our expecting mama. Her baby should be born in the next month. Pray for a safe delivery and a healthy little boy. We are seeing God do such amazing things in her life. Pray that she continues to grow.
Pray also for Elena, our director. Pray that God helps her as she moves forward in this position.
Thanks for your prayers. They really are making a difference.
When working with women who have been so traumatized, the results can be slow in coming. Discouragement can set in. We see one woman make a good choice while the next makes the choice to walk away from the freedom she is finding.
In late July I wrote that one of our girls had run away from the home. She is our youngest girl, and she'd given her heart to the Lord at a camp in June. But the battle for her life was not over. A few weeks ago we finally located her in her village. She has no parents and thought she enjoyed the freedom there. But this week she went to her village social worker and asked to come back. So we pray again for her, that Christ would give her joy and peace in Him.
We also took in a new woman this past week. She comes with a 4 1/2 year old daughter. They had been living on the street and another of our girls saw them and told us her story and her need for help. Pray that Nelly* finds freedom in Christ. She also has some health issues. Pray for her complete healing.
I'm also rejoicing because I've hired a national director for the ministry. She is an amazing young woman who has been on the staff. She has such a vision for what God is going to do in the ministry now and in the future.
Please continue to pray for the women in the home. Pray as our young one returns home. Pray that she'd truly be set free in Christ.
Pray for our expecting mama. Her baby should be born in the next month. Pray for a safe delivery and a healthy little boy. We are seeing God do such amazing things in her life. Pray that she continues to grow.
Pray also for Elena, our director. Pray that God helps her as she moves forward in this position.
Thanks for your prayers. They really are making a difference.
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Away
Andy, the girls and I have been away from Moldova for a few weeks. We are in the states for a bit of vacation and the Assemblies of God General Council to help with the Eurasia Experience and Eurasia Exhibit. It is a good time to reconnect with friends in ministry and also to talk to people about what God wants in their lives in missions. Please keep this week in prayer.
But as we are away, the work continues on in Moldova. The girl who ran away a few weeks ago has been found and will be coming back to the home later this week. Please pray for Victoria* that she would really understand the grace and mercy of God in her life. Pray that she would understand that God truly wants to set her free from a life of destruction.
Masha*, who came back to us is doing well, but her "boyfriend" once again is trying to contact her. She is moved to a safe place where we really believe God can work in her life and change her. Please pray for her in these weeks.
Pray also for the staff. This work is an extremely exhausting work and it is so hard for all of them. Please pray that they would find rest and peace in God in this week. Pray that He would give them the strength they need to continue. We also need to fill some staff positions and we'd ask you to pray that we can find the women needed to work with us.
Pray also for our family for our final days here in the states. Elissa has to have a minor surgery Monday morning. Her eye teeth are impacted and she needs to have the gum opened so they can come down. This is not the extensive surgery of wisdom teeth, but it is still a surgery and we fly out that evening. Please pray for her. Pray also for the refreshment our family needs at this time.
Thanks for your continued prayers.
But as we are away, the work continues on in Moldova. The girl who ran away a few weeks ago has been found and will be coming back to the home later this week. Please pray for Victoria* that she would really understand the grace and mercy of God in her life. Pray that she would understand that God truly wants to set her free from a life of destruction.
Masha*, who came back to us is doing well, but her "boyfriend" once again is trying to contact her. She is moved to a safe place where we really believe God can work in her life and change her. Please pray for her in these weeks.
Pray also for the staff. This work is an extremely exhausting work and it is so hard for all of them. Please pray that they would find rest and peace in God in this week. Pray that He would give them the strength they need to continue. We also need to fill some staff positions and we'd ask you to pray that we can find the women needed to work with us.
Pray also for our family for our final days here in the states. Elissa has to have a minor surgery Monday morning. Her eye teeth are impacted and she needs to have the gum opened so they can come down. This is not the extensive surgery of wisdom teeth, but it is still a surgery and we fly out that evening. Please pray for her. Pray also for the refreshment our family needs at this time.
Thanks for your continued prayers.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
An Empty stage
Masha* came back last week. Masha ran away last week. Masha came back last week.
That is how some weeks go. This week is an emotional roller coaster. Every time I promise that if she runs away again, we won't take her back. But we do. She's desperate for help and doesn't know what to do.
Today another girl disappeared. We know where she is. She is with a friend. We spent about half hour at dusk trying to find her, visiting with neighbors of the friend, hoping to find her. She did not want to be found. We'll find her in the morning.
Rebecca G had been in Moldova working with the girls when Masha returned. When I wrote her that Masha had run away, this is what she wrote to me:
"I'm not surprised, but saddened over Masha. What a beautiful,
potential-filled young woman...but a fragmented result of her abuse. I
probably mentioned to you that during art time she painted the past so
graphically, but she could not picture the present or the future. In fact,
her future painting was like a mini-stage with grass on the bottom and a sun
in the corner and nothing on the stage. Like she knew it could/should be
good, but she could not even imagine what life might look like. The fact
that her brain could not fathom present or future, only what she knew that
had been imposed upon her".
This is where most of our girls are at, and this is why our days are filled with so many ups and downs. Most of them can picture the past so vividly, but cannot dream of a bright and beautiful future.
We often hear it said that "you can take the girl from the brothel, but you can't take the brothel from the girl". That is something only Jesus can do. Pray that God will deliver them from the bondage they still live in. Pray that they can see hope for a new future.
Will you please pray for our girls at the Home of Hope? We feel that right now we are in an intense battle for them. We know they are changing, but we need to see them truly be delivered and changed by God.
Please pray that God would take their brokenness and give them a hope for a bright new future. Please pray that they can see that God is making all things new.
That is how some weeks go. This week is an emotional roller coaster. Every time I promise that if she runs away again, we won't take her back. But we do. She's desperate for help and doesn't know what to do.
Today another girl disappeared. We know where she is. She is with a friend. We spent about half hour at dusk trying to find her, visiting with neighbors of the friend, hoping to find her. She did not want to be found. We'll find her in the morning.
Rebecca G had been in Moldova working with the girls when Masha returned. When I wrote her that Masha had run away, this is what she wrote to me:
"I'm not surprised, but saddened over Masha. What a beautiful,
potential-filled young woman...but a fragmented result of her abuse. I
probably mentioned to you that during art time she painted the past so
graphically, but she could not picture the present or the future. In fact,
her future painting was like a mini-stage with grass on the bottom and a sun
in the corner and nothing on the stage. Like she knew it could/should be
good, but she could not even imagine what life might look like. The fact
that her brain could not fathom present or future, only what she knew that
had been imposed upon her".
This is where most of our girls are at, and this is why our days are filled with so many ups and downs. Most of them can picture the past so vividly, but cannot dream of a bright and beautiful future.
We often hear it said that "you can take the girl from the brothel, but you can't take the brothel from the girl". That is something only Jesus can do. Pray that God will deliver them from the bondage they still live in. Pray that they can see hope for a new future.
Will you please pray for our girls at the Home of Hope? We feel that right now we are in an intense battle for them. We know they are changing, but we need to see them truly be delivered and changed by God.
Please pray that God would take their brokenness and give them a hope for a bright new future. Please pray that they can see that God is making all things new.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Unto You
Rebecca has been teaching a dance to the girls from a song. The chorus is simple, "Unto You be all the glory! Unto You be all the glory! Unto You be all the glory! Unto You be all the glory!" That may seem repetitive, but needs to be the cry of our souls to God.
This morning we arrived at the Home of Hope and were greeted by amazing smiles. Masha* was not smiling, but she got up and hugged me. She stayed in my arms for several minutes.
When we first took her in the home when we opened last fall, she was a girl in need of help. She had been locked in a brothel and abused. Somehow she still had spirit and life, often acting like a small child full of joy.
Today I see a woman totally broken by the abuse of the past months--physical, emotional,and sexual abuse. She sits quietly, unsure of herself, unsure of all that she is, unsure of what the future has to hold.
Please continue to pray for Masha. Pray that God can come in and heal her completely. And pray for safety and distance from the man that held her. He knows where the home is, and we want her to stay safely away from him. She needs an incredible touch from God right now.
In contrast to her, the other girls, who are just baby Christians greeted me with smiles and laughter. They are seeing God at work. They see the answer to their prayers sitting among us. They are full of joy and hope.
So as they begin to dance to the choreographed moves of this song, the chorus rang out to me, "Unto YOU be all the glory!" Oh, our God is so good! His heart is for the broken and although Masha has been away from us, she has never been away from Him. He has heard her cry of pain, and He has come to meet her. Unto Jesus be the glory.
This morning we arrived at the Home of Hope and were greeted by amazing smiles. Masha* was not smiling, but she got up and hugged me. She stayed in my arms for several minutes.
When we first took her in the home when we opened last fall, she was a girl in need of help. She had been locked in a brothel and abused. Somehow she still had spirit and life, often acting like a small child full of joy.
Today I see a woman totally broken by the abuse of the past months--physical, emotional,and sexual abuse. She sits quietly, unsure of herself, unsure of all that she is, unsure of what the future has to hold.
Please continue to pray for Masha. Pray that God can come in and heal her completely. And pray for safety and distance from the man that held her. He knows where the home is, and we want her to stay safely away from him. She needs an incredible touch from God right now.
In contrast to her, the other girls, who are just baby Christians greeted me with smiles and laughter. They are seeing God at work. They see the answer to their prayers sitting among us. They are full of joy and hope.
So as they begin to dance to the choreographed moves of this song, the chorus rang out to me, "Unto YOU be all the glory!" Oh, our God is so good! His heart is for the broken and although Masha has been away from us, she has never been away from Him. He has heard her cry of pain, and He has come to meet her. Unto Jesus be the glory.
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