World-View Wednesday: East Gate Ministries

 

A week ago, I was privileged to join some friends at a fundraising banquet for a local ministry, East Gate Ministries. This organization provides a home, along with love & support, for unwed mothers and women in abusive situations. Every time I go, I am touched and moved by the compassion that is shown to society's rejects. They are given unconditional love, and their testimonies always move me to tears!

This year, the featured speaker was Shari Rigby, who played as the biological mother of the star in "October Baby". As she shared her story of being raised in a broken home, abusive relationships and a resulting abortion, I was in awe of the redeeming power of God's grace! She could easily identify with many of the women there who had been through similar pain, but she also offered hope. I can't relate to much of what she has experienced, but I have walked through valleys of my own. And regardless of our story, we all know what heartbreak is. But I hope that we also have experienced the healing touch of the Father in our barren places!

As I listened to the stories that were shared, my heart was broken to think of the hurt that is right here, at my back door. So often, we think of "the mission field" as being overseas, when there is untold suffering in our own communities. What am I doing to make a difference, to share the love & hope that I have experienced? Friends, I am praying about that! I don't want to be content to live in my safe little "bubble" while there are hurting people all around me. Here I am, Lord!

As for the movie, "October Baby", watch it!!! The story is beautiful, and the acting is excellent. It is one of the best I have ever seen. The message of forgiveness is powerful and one I need to be reminded of over and over again!

If you want some extra inspiration, watch this clip of Ann Voskamp; another beautiful story of a life that has been transformed by a loving God.

Blessings to you, my friend, as you share the love of your Saviour in the place God has called you!

World-View Wednesday: Loving Jamaica's Orphans

A few weeks ago, our youth group traveled to Jamaica to work with Embracing Orphans. As youth leader on our first international trip, I felt a bit of trepidation about all the details coming together, not to mention being mom leader to 15 youth, most of which were babies in their families!!! {thank goodness, we didn't realize that until we were home. haha} We worked with Embracing Orphans, who does much of their work in the Montego Bay area, and reaches out to orphans and teenagers with the love of Christ. I knew that we would be spending a lot of time at the Blossom House, a state-run orphanage, and just loving on the kids there. You would think I'd have been just ecstatic at the opportunity, but I have to admit that I was nervous! Yes, really. After having spent a total of 3 months in Guatemala with ORI at an orphanage, I had a bit of an idea of how exhausting it really is!! I spent the weeks leading up to the trip reading a book called "Preparing your heart before you pack your bags". I highly recommend this book to anyone who is planning to do short-term missions. It was a huge help in just preparing my thoughts and emotions for what was about to happen, as well as focus in praying for our time there. And what a great trip it was!!!

We stayed at a hotel called the Verney House Resort, and it had a pool. How "cool" is that? {And here you thought we were staying in shacks!} It was truly a gift, after hot days at the orphanage. I felt like I sweated non-stop! Lovely thought, isn't it?

The food was delicious! We were served jerk chicken and rice and peas for almost every dinner, and it hit the spot. But I will admit, by the end of the week, I was ready for some good American cooking again :)

Jamaica is a beautiful country! This lovely spot was the site of JRM, the Jamaican Relief Ministries, where our friend Mandie lived for 1 year. It was originally a restaurant where famous musicians like Jonny Cash played music! We did some painting on a house that will be used for the houseparents of this organization. I could have stayed here for days; this spot would be perfect to vacation in!

          

We visited this beach one afternoon, and had 1 hour of bliss before the tropical storm swept in! It was a gorgeous spot; I would have loved to have stayed all day, if it wouldn't have been pouring rain!! 

I'm so grateful for the other couple who went along as leaders: Andrew & Mandie. They added so much to our group and brought experience of the culture and a heart for the kids. Mandie knew where all the great restaurants were too! This was taken at Pier One, a restaurant on the pier. It was a gorgeous night and we ate and talked while the sun set.

 

But the best part of the trip wasn't the beautiful things we saw, or the delicious food we ate; it was loving the Jamaican orphans. The boys pictured above are children that a friend of ours cared for while she lived in Jamaica. Their story is heartbreaking, like so many of the stories of each of the kids we come into contact with at the orphanage. My experience working with the children this time was different from the last time. I am now a mom. When I snuggled little babies, I saw Hadassah. When I kissed sleepy heads, I thought of her and my heart just broke to think that they have no mommy to hold them, rock them and sing to them. The caregivers there are wonderful, but it's almost impossible to give 57 children everything they need. They soaked up the attention that we gave them and completely stole our hearts! Yes, it was exhausting. And some days, four o'clock could not have come soon enough! But it was life-changing. One of the directors with EO shared that he prayed for our group and asked God to break our hearts for what breaks His, and by the end of the week, it was clear that happened!! We played with the kids, laughed with them, hugged them and prayed over them. Our prayer is that God will not only heal the physical scars, but those that are invisible: the scars in their hearts. I pray that there will be families who will choose to love them forever. I pray that they will meet Jesus, the only One who heals broken hearts and is a Father to the fatherless. And I pray that I never forget, and that I never "get over" this experience. Will you pray with me for these precious children today?

World-View Wednesday: Sadie Rose Foundation 5k

As you can see, I'm a day behind; I just wanted to clear that up before you wonder why I'm posting for Wednesday on a Thursday! This week has been so busy; with VBS at church, packing for a trip to Indiana and taking care of a teething baby. But I wanted to share a few pics of the 5k I participated in last Saturday, along with several friends.

The Sadie Rose Foundation was started by Regina Harlow, after she lost her daughter, Sadie Rose, 17 hours after she was born. The heart of this ministry is to reach out to grieving families who've experienced similar loss. I love seeing how Regina is allowing God to use her to touch the lives of others that are hurting! When I heard that they were having a 5k, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. But I thought that my friend, Krista {who lost her sweet son,Truman, 3 months ago} would appreciate the experience even more, so I asked her if she'd join me...and she said she would!

Then I invited a few more friends, and Team Truman was formed! Pictured L to R: Jessica, Krista, Rachel, me, Christy, Sheila, Karana, Amy & Polly. It was a fun day, but bittersweet as we remembered and honored Truman's short life.

We wrote "Team Truman" on the back of our t-shirts, so we attempted a picture to show this. As you can see, you can't see it! ha. Oh well...

It was fun to run this with 2 other mommies: one of them, with a 3 week old baby! Go Amy!!

We all walked/jogged/ran the 3.1 miles and it was just a bit challenging. The information about the walk mentioned "rolling hills in Dayton", and it was most definitely that! Yeah, like maybe I didn't run at all on the one. It was a test of endurance! (= As I saw other people running way ahead of me, I decided the point is not so much how fast you run, but just that you do it!!!

Hadassah & I completed the race in 34 minutes! It was wonderful to reach the finish line (= I was so grateful to be a part of this event, and hope that many more hearts can find comfort in the support this ministry offers.

Bless you all!!

                

World-view Wednesday: She has a name

I first heard of She has a name a few months ago through some friends of mine.
They have an incredible heart for victims of human trafficking, and raise funds to combat its evil.
Because of this ministry, Run for Her 2012 was born.
And I got to participate in my first 5k ever!



My sweet friends, Sadie & Amy {and Kim, who was already in PA!} gave the baby & I a ride to Juniata County, where the race was held.
What a great time we had, hashing all sorts of issues....
you ladies inspire me!!!

My brother and his wife live nearby, so not only did I get to spend some time with them and their two boys, but Rachel & I got to run our first 5k together!
We almost persuaded my brother to keep Hadassah since he was babysitting his boys,
but I'm glad we didn't.
She had so much fun watching all the runners!!

I jogged the 3.1 miles with my stroller. Thank goodness, it was a flat run!

I wasn't quite as in shape as I thought I'd be, but I did manage to keep from walking til the very end. Victory!!!

Seriously, it was so special to have my daughter join me [even if she didn't have a choice! ha]

There were several moms with strollers that came out.

It's a perfect way to exercise 

AND support a great cause!

I hope this is the start of many more 5k events I participate in, 

and maybe even a 10k someday.

Who knows?!

* * *

Please, please pray for this ministry and the lives of the women they touch!

Let's be the body of Christ

and bring His light into the darkest places.

Blessings to you, my friends! 

World-View Wednesday: Chicks for Children

by duaxmachine

Sometimes, its the story of a missionary who depends on God completely that rocks my world.

Other times, its the faith of a child.

Like Xiaoyun.

This sweet girl was born in China with a severe case of scoliosis, but her prospect of receiving surgery was slim, as a child in the foster care system. She was miraculously adopted days before her 14th birthday, when she would have been considered ineligible to become part of a forever family!

After becoming part of a loving home, Xiaoyun underwent several surgeries for her condition. During this time, she got a vision to help other children in need. Her dream was to buy a million chickens for poor Asian children! For $11, a pair of chickens can provide eggs or baby chicks, which becomes not only food and income, but hope for a poverty-stricken family!

Seeing the possibilities, Xiaoyun began a campaign to make a difference. If you want to be a part of making her dream [and so many other childrens' dreams] come true, just go here. I'm excited to see what God will do through her! She's already changed one life; mine.       

World View Wednesday ~ Guatemala

The beautiful country of Guatemala became dear to my heart in 2005, when I spent 8 weeks working at an orphanage located in the mountains, not far from Guatemala City. I went as a volunteer through Orphan Resources International, http://www.orphanresources.org/index.html, an organization based in Lititz, PA. They provide food and medical supplies to numerous orphanages in Guatemala, as well as send out work teams to help maintain the homes and pour out love on the hurting and abandoned children who live there. I was privileged to spend my time at the Fundaninos Children's Home, and just fell in love with the kids there! Their stories were heart-wrenching; many of them had been abandoned, had lived in abusive homes or had parents who simply couldn't provide for them. All of them were looking for someone to love them, for a place to call home. 

These little chicos were a rodeo!! My job was to help bath them and tuck them into bed at night, which was no easy task [but totally worth it] when they would sweetly say, "I love you"! 


These little kids are some of many who are forgotten, neglected and unloved. The number of orphans in Guatemala has only increased through the years, and there is a huge need for workers who will give of their time and resources for this ministry! If you are interested in learning to know more about this work, click on the link above or message me. I treasure the memories I made there, and dream of the day I can return...hopefully, this time with Eddie and Hadassah! 


Tonight...I will kiss my baby and thank God she will grow up in a home with a mommy & daddy who love her. And I will say a prayer for the many sweet children who don't even know who their parents are! Will you join me?


"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress." James 1:27

World View Wednesday ~ Belize!

I guess you could say I have a heart for missions. Seeing God at work all across the globe gets me excited!! So I wanted to feature different missions/people on my blog that have been an inspiration to me. 

In August of 2008, Eddie & I had the privilege of flying to Belize, along with some church friends, to work with Nancy Marshall and The Deaf Ministry. It was an unforgettable experience! I don't know of many people who have more of a servant's heart and an untiring love for people than this woman of God! As a deaf person who had hearing at one point, Nancy is perfectly equipped to reach out to and mentor the many deaf children & youth in the surrounding areas. She helps teach the deaf in a nearby school, as well as leads the services at Jesus' Deaf Church.

   

Nancy has learned to depend on God for so many things and He has always been faithful to her! Her blog http://www.jesus-deafchurch.blogspot.com/ is full of inspiring stories and records the adventure of faith she is on with the church there. I would post more pictures of our trip, but they're all outdated by now so I guess you'll need to visit her blog instead!

Nancy, you are an inspiration to me in your commitment to the work God has called you to! It's beautiful to see God building the Deaf church in Belize. Never give up and you will reap an abundant harvest!