Backyard Blessings

 

For one week last summer, our church did something radically different than anything we had ever done before. Rather than send our youth on a mission trip to another state or country, we joined together as a church body for an intensive week of serving locally in our own community.

To kick off our week, we held an evangelism conference for our entire church. Then, bright and early on Monday morning, more than 50 students and youth leaders hit the ground running for a rigorous week of ministry. In the mornings, they scattered to different homes in our area and held nine backyard Bible clubs for kids in those neighborhoods. From noon to 3:00, they gathered at an inner-city ministry called Arkansas Dream Center (http://ardreamcenter.tv/) and held a VBS there with the same curriculum used in the morning backyard Bible clubs. From 4:00 – 6:00 pm, the group moved to a local Boys & Girls Club and held a free basketball camp. In the evenings, they gathered at the church for dinner, provided by different care groups within our church. They would use this time to eat, share stories about the day, and prepare crafts and lessons for the next day. They then split up to go to their host homes to spend the night.

For me, this week was one of overwhelming gratitude. I was humbled and amazed once again at the power of a body serving together. I was privileged to host a Back Yard Bible Club at our home that week. A few people said thank you to me for this service, but let me assure you the blessing was mine. I wanted to share with you a few of the blessings of the week.

First, our family was blessed as we began to promote this event. We went from house to house and knocked on doors, introducing ourselves and telling them about the Backyard Bible Club. In a society where people often don’t know their neighbors, this event gave us a great excuse to broaden our knowledge of our neighborhood. We had neighbors without children loaning us a shade tent and staking our sign at the end of the road. As the week progressed, others would ask me how the Bible study was going. These have all been great opportunities to identify with Christ and to begin many new relationships.

The second blessing was the joy of getting to know the children. I cannot describe how thrilling it was to see kids running down the street, eager to come. As the week went on, they continued to come earlier and earlier. I had three different moms express how amazed they were their children were so excited about attending. Our attendance was remarkably consistent and moms were changing previous plans so their children could attend. What a great reminder to me of how the love of Christ draws people to Him! We did not have a flashy program or over-the-top games; we did have students loving these kids and sharing the love of Christ with them.

Third, as I mentioned earlier, seeing our church work together to reach our city for Christ was one of the greatest blessings. I cannot describe the joy of ministering together with the youth that came to my home. Somehow the distinction of youth and adult was lost as we were brothers and sisters in Christ working to share the Gospel together. No longer was the distinction in age important as we joined arms with the same mission. The sweetness of recalling two young men sitting on my step sharing Christ with my neighbor brings tears to my eyes.

I am thankful for our church body, for functioning so well. All of those who labored behind the scenes packing lunches, buying snacks, printing flyers, providing meals, housing students–all have my utmost appreciation. Many of them did not get to see firsthand the incredible impact of this week, but they were faithful to labor behind the scenes.

I am thankful for our amazing office ladies, who pulled off an incredible feat of administration and used their gifts so well.

I am thankful for our youth, for investing in the lives of others, for boldly standing for Christ, and for giving their all to serve Him. I am thankful they have the faith to believe the Word of God changes lives and they live out that faith. They are a joy to be around! May God reward their efforts.

I am thankful for our youth pastor and his wife, for their vision, and labor to adequately train our youth.

Most of all, I am thankful to the Lord! He is gracious to allow us to be some small part of His kingdom work. May we as a body continue to bring glory to Him as we serve Him together. To God be the glory!

Hannah Senn lives in Little Rock, Arkansas, with her husband Tim and their four daughters. She is a pastor’s wife and home-school mom. She is involved in ladies Bible study, care group ministry, and the Scripture memory program at The Bible Church of Little Rock. She enjoys serving in her church, reading, exercising, and spending time with her family.

The Coupon of All Coupons

I’m a couponing newbie. I don’t know much about getting the most value from coupons. In fact, several weeks ago, I bought almost $100 in groceries and saved only two dollars and some change. I have a feeling that I’ll be learning soon enough—my husband and I are adopting a sibling group of five.

I do know one thing about coupons: They are redeemable—but only if I take specific steps. When I find something I want, I can take the coupon into a grocery store within a specific time frame and redeem it for the specific item.

Couponing is a lot like salvation.

Jesus alone was able to take the specific steps needed to redeem us—to buy back our souls from the bondage of sin and death. He died on the cross more than 2,000 years ago because He loved us so much, He wanted us to spend eternity with Him.

Jesus redeemed us. He exchanged His blood for our souls.

You can’t beat that deal!

O my soul, bless God, don’t forget a single blessing! He forgives your sins – every one. He heals your diseases – every one. He redeems you from hell – saves your life! He crowns you with love and mercy – a paradise crown. (Psalm 103:2-4, The Message)

Daphne Tarango

Rescued: The Heart of Adoption and Caring for Orphans

We recently showed the movie Rescued: The Heart of Adoption and Caring for Orphans (Wintons Motion Pictures and Hedrick Brothers Productions) in our home during a night of encouragement and prayer for friends who are adopting.  I knew the movie would be a great blessing to them as they embark on a new chapter in their lives, but I did not expect to be so powerfully impacted myself.

The movie combines interviews with several adoptive families and teaching about “caring for orphans and widows in their distress”, the definition of true religion in James 1:27.  I was challenged in three ways as I watched the movie.

First, I realized as I watched Rescued that adoption is a valid way to participate in the Great Commission.  Jesus said to “Go and make disciples, baptizing them….and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you.”  When Jesus gave that command, he never said that we couldn’t bring the nations home to us!  As a former missionary, this was a profound revelation for me.

Next, I was challenged that adoption is not an act of charity, but an act of spiritual warfare.  Many orphans will never hear the Gospel, nor even meet a Christian.  This is particularly true in foreign lands, where Christians are few and far between.  Orphans want homes, love, families, medical care, and other earthly needs met, but their greatest need—like ours—is salvation.  Their temporal losses will be nothing compared to their eternal suffering  if they don’t put their trust in Christ.  And “how can they believe in Him of whom they have never heard?” (Romans 10: 14).  When purposeful Christian families adopt, they invade the enemy’s territory, and that is an act of war.

Finally, I grasped for the first time that adoption is something Christians do out of their love for others and their love for Christ—not in order to fulfill their own needs.  As a mother of five children, I have no sense of “felt need” to adopt a child for my own sake.  However, our family has many spiritual, emotional, and material resources to offer.  If true religion is caring for orphans and widows in their distress, what am I doing about that?  As a Christian, I know that children are a blessing from the Lord, be they adopted or flesh of my flesh.  When Christians adopt, the Lord blesses both the child and the family in unforeseen ways.

This film makes it clear that not all Christians are called to adopt, just as all Christians won’t be called to the mission field.  All Christians must be involved in the missionary cause, however, and likewise we should all be involved in caring for orphans through prayer, giving, and offering support to other Christians who are adopting.

My calling to the mission field was not an overly-emotional experience of “sensing God’s Will.”  I simply heard someone preach about fields white unto harvest and the great need for workers to go out into the harvest field.  I offered myself to God with Isaiah’s words:  “Here am I.  Send me.”  If the Lord had a use for me, I was willing to go.  Rescued opened my heart to see adoption in a similar light.  That must always be our attitude as Christians:  to ask what the Lord would have us do and to be willing to do it for the sake of the Gospel.

Rescuedreceived 5 stars from the Dove Foundation and is a semi-finalist in the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival, competing for a $101,000 “Best of Festival” award alongside other high profile films including “Courageous” and Ray Comfort’s  “180 Movie.”  You can be a part of the nationwide premiere of this important film in your community by signing up to host a movie night for Rescued in your home, church, or other venue.  A project of Freedom Film Distributors, National Movie Night provides Movie Night Hosts with planning and promotional tools to set up and promote their movie night and with discounts for the DVD.

 

Rescued: The Heart of Adoption and Caring for Orphans – Trailer from Rescued The Movie on Vimeo.

If you are reading this in an email and do not see a video, click here to watch the Rescued trailer.

New Year’s Resolution: Share the Message of Hope

Around the month of November there is a nudge in my heart to start thinking about a spiritual theme for the New Year.  What does the Lord want to teach me through His Word?  How will He work through my life to encourage others in their relationship with Him?

In October I was preparing for a women’s retreat, A Cup of Hope, based upon Romans 15:13.  As I studied and prepared for this retreat I knew I had much to learn about the word hope. For example, I never thought about the theology of hope, nor have I ever thought about having an attitude of hope. From this retreat came the following spiritual theme:

Christ in me, the Hope of glory, through my life may others see.

Throughout the days of 2012, sharing this Good News:  His Only Purpose: Eternity. 

This hope is not based upon the definition found in Webster’s Dictionary.  This hope describes something that is certain, but not yet realized. This Hope is based upon “Christ Jesus, who is our hope,” (1 Timothy 1:1b).  He purchased salvation for mankind on the cross and it is this hope which will lead to the glory of God.

Those who do not know Christ are living in hopelessness.  Jesus Christ is the answer for those living in hopelessness and the Word is the Good News we have to share.  Paul writes, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:1-5 NASB).

Will you join me this year as we learn together how to share the message of Hope to a lost and dying world?

Laura Leathers

 

Lord, Help My Unbelief!

So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.

Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”

“From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.”

Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Mark 9:20-24

Do you ever get discouraged and overwhelmed by what you are facing and just cry out to God?  Is there a part of you that believes God will answer, but another part of you questions whether there really is a God and if He cares?

I remember when my granny was coming to the end of her life.  She had been a strong believer for many years.  She never missed church, and as a guest in her home you didn’t either. She lived a life devoted to God, but as cancer ate away at her body I asked her, “Granny are you going to heaven?”  She responded, “I hope so.”  Her response baffled me.  How could this woman of faith not respond with calm assurance, “I am”?  I wondered if Granny felt much like the man in our Bible reading today, “I believe, help my unbelief.”

There may be situations you are facing right now that are causing you stress and anxiety.  Cry out as this man did and ask the Father to help you to believe.  He will.  Then hold on to the truths you know from God’s word and walk in faith.  The Bible says God cannot lie. (Hebrews 6:18)  Jesus says of Himself, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.”  (John 14:6) You can believe!

If you have never accepted Christ as your Savior, confess right now that you are a sinner, you need Him to forgive you and come into your heart.  This is where you begin.  Then study the Word for yourself and hold onto the promises you find there.  This father did not have all of the answers, but he turned to the One who did.  Turn to Jesus, believe Him and see Him do amazing things.

Pray today for those who are struggling in their faith that they can believe.  Pray that your faith will be an encouragement to others so that they too will believe.

My House is too Small..Why be Hospitable?

My house is too small.  They won’t have a place to park.  The carpets are always dirty.  Sit on the floor?  Are you kidding me?  I can’t cook.  What if I run out of things to say……

Why be hospitable?  Do people even need your caring words or actions?

Are people hurting today?  Yes.  Are they thriving or are they in survival mode?  Do they have peace or are they in need of peace?  Can you offer them a glass of water?

I’m not known for my hospitality.  My mother is a gracious person.  I don’t have any excuse…..except one.  Perfection.  I want things to be perfect.  And they aren’t……ever.  My desire for perfection doesn’t even come from wanting to please others as much as it comes from my own pride.  Ugg.  The ugly cards are out on the table now.

Martha, just call me Martha.

But when I consider those I think about hosting I know that they need ME.  They need the love of Christ that I can share that day.  They need a loving touch or a listening ear.  They need to relax and have a moment away from the demands overwhelming their lives.  They need a meal…..any meal.  A friend recently got excited when I invited her to come over “one day soon.”  I told her I wasn’t sure what I’d cook.  She quickly responded, “Grilled cheese would be fine!  I just want to come visit!”  It really isn’t my food she longs for, it’s His food she knows she’ll get!

Another friend wants to come over.  She has never been here but she likes some of the things that consume my time.  She just wants to sit and be encouraged, she wants to take a deep breath and slow her pace.

As I prepared for our wonderful fellowship yesterday with my Polish friend, Maria Rybarczyk, I knew that I wanted the focus to be on her, not the food.  I bought some fruits, cubed some cheese and set out crackers.   We made a delicious punch and had hot coffee and tea available.  The table looked bare so I thought about buying a few pretty flowers but I didn’t have a lot of time to run out and get them.  As I walked into my kitchen I saw some (old….I’m being honest now) “silk” flowers in a vase.  (I really feel like I’m using the term “silk” loosely.)  At that moment I felt God say to me, “Jan, this isn’t about perfection and you have only Me to please.  Wash the old flowers, put them in a vase and set them on the table.  This day isn’t about your idea of beauty.  It is about showing them My Love.  Just love.”

The day was full of dark skies, strong winds, hard rain, impressive lightening and powerful thunder.  The phone began ringing as two o’clock approached and I braced myself for regrets.  Instead I had requests for:  driving instructions, permission to bring a friend, and “Is there anything you’d like me to bring?”  Everyone showed up and they were all on time!  They brought smiles, umbrellas, diaper bags, excitment and anticipation.  We all sat in my livingroom and compared our circle to what the early church must have been like huddled in the catacombs.  What a wonderfully glorious day it was.

They sat on the sofa, diningroom table chairs (that don’t match the table and were bought from an old army kitchen), the floor….even the inexpensive folding chairs I bought to use outside!  There was laughter, some tears, many hugs and prayers.  We sang aloud a few songs that have guided and strenghtened Maria….and we sang them a capella.  Talk about missing perfection.  But I’m certain the angels were singing along too.

My friends (from all walks of life and many not knowing anyone else before coming over), left refreshed.  They looked more filled and complete than when they first walked in the door.  They were built up and ready to “go forth.”

The kitchen was not as clean as I would have liked.  A few prep things I had planned to do never got done.  My little projects even sat in their places unashamed, waiting on me.  It was obvious.  She didn’t get her whole “look” finished.

But now I know.  We weren’t really going for “my look.”  We were going for His look.  And since He is Perfection, what was I worried about after all?

IF He is my Boss (and He is!), then I need only concern myself with the assignments He puts before me and they are never too much or too hard.

My friends relax when I relax.  And before I know it the meal is finished and they’re drying dishes and putting them in my cupboards.  (Never my intention or desire by the way!)  But they smile and say, “Wow, we’re a lot alike.  I’d put my such-and-such here too if I were you.”  Then we’re laughing and I’m understanding that they just want to be my family for the day.

They got a lot more than nourishment at my table.  They got loved.  They felt cherished and listened to and the ride home is an easier one because they know I care about them and they have another sister looking out for them.  The harsh world is a little less harsh because they felt loved and not with a love that is superficial….but with God’s love, the Perfect love.

“But when perfection comes, the imperfection disappears.”  1 Corinthians 13:10

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.  But the greatest of these is love.”  1 Corinthians 13: 13

Be the balm that is needed, the oasis that is desired, the friend that is loving and available.

I am tossing the pride of my own need for perfection.  My Boss expects obedience, not my simple idea of excellence.

The world is in too much need to wait for us to finally get over ourselves.  Set aside personal agendas and Love One Another!  The time is nigh.

Can I count on you?

Can He count on you?

Obediently,

Jan aka The New Mary

What Can’t Be Argued

Bible verses are great, I mean for believers of course. For us, they either confirm something in which we believe, offer a source of comfort in the midst of pains, or give something to cling to when life’s stuff gets us down.  But for those who don’t know God, words of Scripture offer little more than pleasantries at best or condemnation and judgment heaped on by well-meaning Christians at worst.

Let me be clear, I love God’s Word. I trust it and try to live it, although I fall short more often than not.  The Word itself says that to those in the world who are perishing “the words of the cross are foolishness” (1 Corinthians 1:18).

So how do we reach out to a lost and dying humanity?  We should be meeting needs, real physical and emotional needs. We should develop relationships and then tell what God has done for us, using specific times and ways.  People can argue religion; people will distort facts and history. The thing no one can argue with is how your life has been impacted by having come to Jesus. Your testimony is the one indisputable truth you have to offer the lost. If you don’t share it, who will?

It’s not hard; this is stuff you already know.  Tell what you were like before you became a Christian, how you came to Christ, and how your life has changed since that time. Keep it short, fewer than five minutes is best.  Remember you are not making a speech but are speaking to individuals with whom you have established a connection.

Move to Assurance’s website has great tips on preparing to share your story and some key phrases to avoid. Check out the link: http://www.missiontoamerica.org/index.html

Mission: Hospitality

Last year, I experienced one of life’s major moments: I bought a home. As a single-again woman, I beamed with pride on closing day. For most of the five years after my divorce, I lived in a decent-sized apartment. But I didn’t let that stop me from having people over.

Now, with my very own home, I had a unique opportunity–welcoming even more people into my mission field. I didn’t know that God already had a plan in mind.

Several months after being in my home, a young friend (whom I consider the little sister I never had) needed a safe and emotionally-healthy place to live. I didn’t hesitate. I had three bedrooms in the split-plan home, and I was using only one. She graciously accepted my offer, and I’m glad she did.

Our friendship blossomed as we confided in each other, laughed, and cried together. I admit it wasn’t always easy; it’s a challenge to live by yourself for so long and then have someone in your home. But we worked around our quirkiness, and after eight months she was able to move into a place of her own. Even though I’m happily married now, I still miss her presence. We still hang out, and she visits regularly. I wanted to bless her, but she blessed me.

My home is my mission field. Of course, that doesn’t mean I invite all people to live in my home, but I want my home to be an inviting place–a safe place for all who enter. I want my guests to be welcome any time, any day, and to make themselves at home. Anytime? Any day? Yes, I truly mean that, and my friends know it.

In the past, I refused to have anyone come over if the house wasn’t in tip-top shape with everything in its proper place. Spotless. But after years of struggles–divorce and medical issues, to name a few–I now treasure the important things in life.

My house is not perfect–it’s lived-in, it’s real, it’s my home. Of course, that doesn’t give me an excuse not to clean, but it puts cleaning in perspective: Do I spend time serving, laughing, and sometimes even crying with friends, or do I spend the time preparing frantically for their visit?

The Bible says to share with God’s people who are in need, to practice hospitality, working together for the kingdom of God (Romans 12:13; 3 John 1:8). Some of us have to work harder than others at hospitality, but when we do, our home is our mission field. What we do for one of the least of our brothers, in reality, we do for God (Matthew 25:40).

Daphne Tarango is a freelance writer—and happily-married newlywed–who comforts others with the comfort she herself has received from God (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). She lives in the Southeastern U.S., where she is a leader in a Bible-based recovery program and president of a local writers’ group. Visit her blog Daphne Writes.

Editor’s Note: Daphne’s piece jogged me into adding this as I think that many Christians in our hurried era fail to answer the call to hospitality–even in their own churches. A friend told me that her Sunday School class decided to have dinner party groups to get to know each other better. Each couple who wanted to participate was grouped with two other couples for a period of three months. Then the groups would change members. The goal was to meet once a month. My friend signed up for three consecutive rounds. Each time, after receiving the names, she contacted everyone first and offered to have a dinner at her home. They decided on a date and what each couple would bring to supplement her entree.  Everyone seemed to have a great time at the first dinner meeting.  But…no one else volunteered for the next dinner. Everyone was “busy.” Right before the three-month period was up, one woman suggested they all meet at a restaurant (dutch treat, of course) to fulfill her commitment. (My friend knew that this woman had a lovely, spacious home which she kept immaculate, so space or cleaning was not the issue.) In the second group my friend entertained first, and the three months passed with no one else volunteering to host a meeting. In the third group, my friend entertained first again. Late in the third month one other couple invited the group to their home. When the fourth round was advertised, my fellowship-seeking but disillusionined friend didn’t sign up. Apparently most others didn’t either, so the program was abandoned. How different it might have been if each couple who had signed up had taken their commitment to hospitality and fellowship more seriously.

 

No Longer a Slumdog

In his new book, No Longer a Slumdog, Gospel for Asia founder K.P. Yohannan describes the poignant moment the Lord opened his eyes to the forgotten children of India.

“There were little children everywhere, a common sight at many busy corners in Bombay. Tourists are cautioned not to give them anything because once you do, the others will mob you. While I was at this corner,  feeling a bit annoyed by little hands grabbing at me, I heard from behind me the voice of a young girl.

“Sahib, Sir, my father died. My mother is sick. She can’t beg anymore. And I have a little brother, who is very hungry. Would you please give me a few pennies so I can buy some bread and take it to him?”

“The light turned green, and everybody hurried on. But I couldn’t move. What she said pierced my heart.”

Yohannan goes on to describe the beginning of a ministry that now ministers to children viewed as trash in the demonic caste system of India. In a country where human trafficking of children is rampant, Gospel for Asia is a beacon of light in a world of darkness sharing the love of Jesus Christ.

No Longer a Slumdog is an eye-opening look into a way of life many of us could not imagine in our worst nightmares. Filled with true stories of the rescue of children by the grace and mercy of God, it is encouraging and challenging. The challenge is determining how many are still on the streets of Asia right now.

Gospel for Asia ministers to the physical needs of children through their Bridges of Hope centers. Meals, clothing, classes on hygiene, and school become a chance for life for many children. Most of all, these young souls learn they are not cast-offs, they are highly valued, loved children of the King.

“It is so important that we do not look at physical assistance alone as  ‘fulfilling’ the Great Commission. If our goal is simply to improve people’s outward status without touching their soul, then we are no different than any of the hundreds of other relief organizations out there today,” says Yohannan in his book. The reality of this is seen in Gospel for Asia’s commitment that 100% of all donations and child sponsorship money goes to the field. No adminstrative or office costs are deducted. This not a flashy ministry–it is down in the trenches doing all it can do to save lives. K.P. Yohannan writes, “It is for Jesus’ sake that we act. It is in His name that we sacrifice.”

No Longer a Slumdog is a book that opened my eyes and touched my heart in a powerful way. This review was not asked for by Gospel for Asia and I do not have an affiliation with them. I saw an offer online for a free copy of No Longer a Slumdog and ordered it.

I recommend this book for every believer. There is a world dying and going to hell, it is time I wake up–really wake up to this fact. As missionary Amy Carmichael said, “We shall have all eternity to celebrate the victories, but we have only the few hours before sunset in which to win them.”

The Escape: Wellspring Living’s Answer

Human trafficking is a vague term people can be afraid to touch. It’s an intimidating, unclean, and dangerous problem that can easily scare away the kindest of hearts. They look at it and say there are too many women affected by this heinous crime to even begin to help even one of them. Creator of Toms Shoes© Blake Mycoskie could have said the same thing. He could have done the math, figured out it wasn’t feasible to give every single child in the world a new pair of shoes, and not even tried. If that was the case, over 1,000,000 children would not have shoes on their feet today.

So we look at the issue, grim and hopeless as it seems, and do something about it because this is what we are called to do. We are people of action; people who not only claim truth, but live it.

Deuteronomy 31:6 states: “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.”

We can be assured that God will go before us, no matter what job, mission, or scary issue we are called to advocate for or fight against.

Wellspring Living is located in Atlanta, Georgia and helps survivors of childhood sexual abuse overcome their broken pasts and move toward hopeful futures. Their mission is to confront the issue of childhood sexual abuse and exploitation through advocacy, education, and treatment programs for girls and women. Wellspring Living is a refuge for women and girls who need a chance to start over. Through therapy, education, life skills and spiritual renewal, the Wellspring programs gives participants recovery tools for the body, soul and spirit.

In this post I’d share about my tour of all Wellspring Living’s facilities and how we are fighting for the individual in this vast problem of sexual exploitation. The tour started with me driving down a congested highway heading to North Atlanta. As I reached my first destination, Wellspring’s residential home for women, I automatically felt a wave of peace wash over me. I stepped out of my car into the steamy Georgia heat and looked at the serene home.

I tapped on the door of their administrative offices. The cheery face of Laurie Sussman greeted me and ushered me into her air-conditioned office. I started to jot down notes as she told me about the Wellspring for Women program. This program is for women ages 18-35 who are actively seeking a way out of their current lifestyle. Some of these women have been exploited for most of their lives. Some have been involved in substance abuse, self-mutilation or eating disorders, and all have decided they want help. Wellspring Living is a program offering tangible ways to escape these lifestyles. They do this by offering an individualized recovery plan through counseling, life skills education, family therapy and spiritual encouragement. Laurie has watched women who have been sexually abused since the age of five come through the program and leave with a completely new hope for the future. I was able to meet some of the women in the program, and each introduction was different. Some of the women I met were timid, not meeting my eye contact or barely grasping my hand. Others were kind and welcoming, offering insightful questions and friendly additions to our conversations. All of them had one similar quality: hope.

Next I drove to the Wellspring for Girls program, which provides residential recovery, counseling, group therapy, education and vocational training for girls ages 12-17. While visiting these girls, I met questioning stares and untrusting comments. These girls harbored anger and rebellious attitudes because of what they were forced to experience at a very young age. The shells surrounding these girls are much harder to crack because they haven’t come to the realization that their past can gravely affect their future unless they seek help. Wellspring Living is working to show these girls their worth and point them toward a greater hope for a new life.

Wellspring has a counseling center for outpatient counseling and an assessment center to provide crisis stabilization for women seeking help. The Lynn Sweet Counseling Center is committed to helping women in a confidential and non-threatening environment. Wellspring Redeemed Assessment Center seeks to identify long-term placement to meet each woman’s specific needs and serve as a point of entry into the Wellspring for Women residential program. Combined, all four centers are working to eradicate the problem of human trafficking in Georgia.

If you would like to learn more about WellSpring Living visit their website, blog, and follow on Twitter and Facebook. If you would like a Wellspring Living representative to come and speak at your church, Sunday School class, civic group or company, fill out the form on this link: http://www.wellspringliving.org/request-a-speaker.php.

Join Wellspring Living’s fight against human trafficking!

Jessica Smith
My name is Jessica Smith and I am a typical Southern girl from Marietta, GA. Over the past 25 years, I have been able to travel to more than 20 countries working with orphanages, college ministries, and organizations aiding the hurting and loving the unlovable. I landed back on American soil on June 1st of this year and just starting working for Wellspring in mid-July. Glory to God for all that He has done!

Next Page »