Every quarter I go up, with some other ladies, to a very special place in Martin, Georgia called New Beginnings. You can read all about here if you like. It's an amazing place with amazing staff and women who are trying to do life better. They are trying to overcome a past that many of can't imagine. They are pretty much heroes to me.
So when I read this today, it hit home. Well, it hit to New Beginnings. I'm working through a Bible study on Ruth by Kelly Minter. This is what she writes (pg. 19):
"For the past few months I taught a Wednesday night Bible study for some fabulous women from The Next Door ministry in downtown Nashville. This ministry assist its residents who have recently been released from prison and helps them successfully transition back into free society. Each woman agrees to live on its premises for six months, participate in counseling, attend a weekly Bible study, work a solid job, address her addictions and assume other responsibilities. As you can imagine, it's a spicy group where raw is in and sugarcoated is most definitely out. They need all of their energy for survival, so there's not a lot left over for religious affectation. Their honesty and vulnerability is what I love so much about these women, mostly because when God hits their lives, it's the real deal. You can't fake transformation in shoes like theirs.
These girls are some of the most courageous women I know, forging ahead on a journey that will take them back to the place from which they came - the outside world. Many seek to return to family, distant homes, past careers, and dear friends. They hope for fresh starts and new lives, all of them convinced that success is only possible if they return changed. Going back the same person is not an option."
I wish I could have articulated my thoughts about New Beginnings as well as Kelly did. The women there are indeed a spicy group and there is not one single drop of sugar coating. But you know what? It's kind of refreshing. I could tell a hundred stories about our visits but the one I love best occurred last Christmas. Our team was there to have dessert with the ladies and present each of them with a Christmas gift. The gift consisted of several items with one very special one - a hand knit scarf made by one of the team members or one of our church members. This was a group of about 90 women including staff so yes, hand clap for the knitters. Anyway, we prayed before we left that each scarf would bless the woman in a very special way who was to receive it. So as I presented one woman with a teal scarf, she literally squealed. I thought we, er God, must have done something right so I asked her what in the world brought that reaction. She looked at me with bright eyes, whirled around, pulled down the waistband of her jeans in the back and said "teal is my absolute favorite color. All of my tattoos are teal! See here ... (imagine a bright teal tattoo right above her back side)." Now if that's being real I don't know what is!
"Going back the same person is not an option." If we know Jesus, going back to the person we were before is just not an option. 2 Corinthians 5:17 comes to mind: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away, behold, new things have come." (NAS) Praise Jesus!
Showing posts with label mission work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mission work. Show all posts
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Thursday, February 4, 2010
HHM in Haiti - CBS Atlanta's Raw Footage
Today, I sat down for a few minutes to eat lunch and thought I would read the Helping Hands Foreign Missions' blog (the link is found in previous posts). I quickly saw the link to CBS Atlanta's site where apparently, the station has sent a camera man to travel with the team from HHM in Haiti. Once I started watching, I could not stop. The footage is definitely raw with little to no editing beginning on the day they arrived and following them for about three or four days. The link: http://www.cbsatlanta.com/video/22429977/index.html
If you want to see Haiti from the real life perspective of the team from Gainesville, this is well worth watching. The first 20 or so minutes shows the teams arrival in the Dominican Republic, their travels into Haiti and their first look at the mass destruction in Port-au-Prince. You know, as I watched it and saw building after building flattened, I thought it surreal but when I saw the faces of the people especially the children, my heart sank. At about 40 minutes in, one of the team members asked a man on the street about the earthquake. You get the feeling almost that this is a casual conversation until he says "I lost my boy." You can hear the team member say with shocked surprise, "your boy?" oh dear. Then near the end of the video they are speaking with another gentlemen whom they soon discover has lost almost his entire family - his wife, children, 5 brothers, nieces, cousins and nephews. Is there any way to comprehend this? I just can't.
But the one thing I just can't get out of my mind is the children in the orphanage. The HHM team's goal was to move 60 children plus their leaders to a safe haven a few hours away. Look carefully at the faces of these children (about 30 mins into the video). They are thrilled with a handful of Fruit Loops and a bus ride. I just keep thinking that each one has a story, each one has a purpose, each one a God who loves them. Do they know and understand that at all?
I am awestruck by the irony of the situation when their bus can't cross the river because the road has washed away. All of them plus their belongings have to finish their journey on foot through some steep and rough terrain. At the beginning of the book of Joshua, the Israelites have wandered 40 years in the desert and yes, they are getting ready to cross the Jordan River into the long-awaited promised land. (Joshua 1:2) Maybe, just maybe, these children have crossed the river into their promised land. I pray that when Brenda, Richard and the team share the love of Christ with them, they will accept it. They will accept the promised land of Christ - the love, joy, and peace that only comes from knowing Him. They will accept the God who says to me, you and them:
"I will never leave you nor forsake you.' (Joshua 1:5)
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)
If you want to see Haiti from the real life perspective of the team from Gainesville, this is well worth watching. The first 20 or so minutes shows the teams arrival in the Dominican Republic, their travels into Haiti and their first look at the mass destruction in Port-au-Prince. You know, as I watched it and saw building after building flattened, I thought it surreal but when I saw the faces of the people especially the children, my heart sank. At about 40 minutes in, one of the team members asked a man on the street about the earthquake. You get the feeling almost that this is a casual conversation until he says "I lost my boy." You can hear the team member say with shocked surprise, "your boy?" oh dear. Then near the end of the video they are speaking with another gentlemen whom they soon discover has lost almost his entire family - his wife, children, 5 brothers, nieces, cousins and nephews. Is there any way to comprehend this? I just can't.
But the one thing I just can't get out of my mind is the children in the orphanage. The HHM team's goal was to move 60 children plus their leaders to a safe haven a few hours away. Look carefully at the faces of these children (about 30 mins into the video). They are thrilled with a handful of Fruit Loops and a bus ride. I just keep thinking that each one has a story, each one has a purpose, each one a God who loves them. Do they know and understand that at all?
I am awestruck by the irony of the situation when their bus can't cross the river because the road has washed away. All of them plus their belongings have to finish their journey on foot through some steep and rough terrain. At the beginning of the book of Joshua, the Israelites have wandered 40 years in the desert and yes, they are getting ready to cross the Jordan River into the long-awaited promised land. (Joshua 1:2) Maybe, just maybe, these children have crossed the river into their promised land. I pray that when Brenda, Richard and the team share the love of Christ with them, they will accept it. They will accept the promised land of Christ - the love, joy, and peace that only comes from knowing Him. They will accept the God who says to me, you and them:
"I will never leave you nor forsake you.' (Joshua 1:5)
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)
Friday, January 29, 2010
Help the People of Haiti this Week!
J and J Foods is joining forces with Helping Hands Foreign Missions to get needed supplies to Haiti!
Beginning Saturday, January 30th and going through Thursday, February 4th, a list will be posted at each of the stores with the items the Helping Hands Team has requested. The needed items will be offered at a reduced price during this time period for this designated purpose. Bins will be placed at the front of each store for convenience of drop off.
My husband would never tell you this, but I will. Each of the three stores has made a significant donation to this effort, as well as the employees of each of the stores. I am so impressed with our management and employees. The company is not making any kind of profit at all on any of the items. The staff has spent significant time this week researching to find the lowest prices on the needed items so that possibly more can be sent. This is why it is good to be a locally owned independent business where needs of a local charitable organization can be met quickly and effectively.
If you are looking for an easy way to give, this may be your chance. Helping Hands Foreign Missions is an extremely reputable organization (see previous posts about them). They now have two teams on site ministering to the great needs of the people of Haiti. If you want to follow along with the teams and their ministry in Haiti, visit
http://helpinghandshaiti.blogspot.com/. You will be amazed at what they're doing.
Beginning Saturday, January 30th and going through Thursday, February 4th, a list will be posted at each of the stores with the items the Helping Hands Team has requested. The needed items will be offered at a reduced price during this time period for this designated purpose. Bins will be placed at the front of each store for convenience of drop off.
My husband would never tell you this, but I will. Each of the three stores has made a significant donation to this effort, as well as the employees of each of the stores. I am so impressed with our management and employees. The company is not making any kind of profit at all on any of the items. The staff has spent significant time this week researching to find the lowest prices on the needed items so that possibly more can be sent. This is why it is good to be a locally owned independent business where needs of a local charitable organization can be met quickly and effectively.
If you are looking for an easy way to give, this may be your chance. Helping Hands Foreign Missions is an extremely reputable organization (see previous posts about them). They now have two teams on site ministering to the great needs of the people of Haiti. If you want to follow along with the teams and their ministry in Haiti, visit
http://helpinghandshaiti.blogspot.com/. You will be amazed at what they're doing.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Helping Hands Ministry Update - You Can Help!
I posted a few days ago about our local Helping Hands Ministry Team who are serving in Haiti. Just to give you an update, the first team (including Drs. Richard and Brenda) has arrived. Again, please allow me to share the email I received this afternoon. Also, you may want to bookmark their blog so you can follow their work there.
My husband and his staff are in the process of organizing the collection of the requested items at our three store locations. J and J Foods will be selling the items on the Helping Hands Ministry "want list" at store cost or below. The list in this email is specifically for the team leaving tomorrow so it is very possible the needs will change once things are evaluated on site. Our staff will be in close contact so that this list remains current. The most current list will be posted in the stores and collection bins will be placed at the front of each of the stores. This will most likely be in place in the next couple of days. I'll let you know.
Hello everyone,
As many of you know we sent our first team to Haiti on Friday. They have arrived safely in Port au Prince and say it is horrible. We have another team leaving on Monday morning and 3 more teams coming in the following weeks. If you would like to follow our work in Haiti you can visit our Blog at http://helpinghandshaiti.blogspot.com/.
The team has brought satellite internet and they will be updating the blog often. Please be in prayer for the teams going down. There is a large need for shelter and antibiotics. If you can donate a tent or medical supplies please let us know. Each team member will be carrying 100 pounds of supplies with them and we need those supplies.
Latest needs list: (this list is needs for the team leaving tomorrow)
Tents – For Haitian Families
Diapers newborn and up
Baby wipes
D batteries
cough/cold medicine
Powdered milk
Children and adult vitamins
Queen sized air mattress and pump(elect)
Sheets and pillow case covers
My husband and his staff are in the process of organizing the collection of the requested items at our three store locations. J and J Foods will be selling the items on the Helping Hands Ministry "want list" at store cost or below. The list in this email is specifically for the team leaving tomorrow so it is very possible the needs will change once things are evaluated on site. Our staff will be in close contact so that this list remains current. The most current list will be posted in the stores and collection bins will be placed at the front of each of the stores. This will most likely be in place in the next couple of days. I'll let you know.
Hello everyone,
As many of you know we sent our first team to Haiti on Friday. They have arrived safely in Port au Prince and say it is horrible. We have another team leaving on Monday morning and 3 more teams coming in the following weeks. If you would like to follow our work in Haiti you can visit our Blog at http://helpinghandshaiti.blogspot.com/.
The team has brought satellite internet and they will be updating the blog often. Please be in prayer for the teams going down. There is a large need for shelter and antibiotics. If you can donate a tent or medical supplies please let us know. Each team member will be carrying 100 pounds of supplies with them and we need those supplies.
Latest needs list: (this list is needs for the team leaving tomorrow)
Tents – For Haitian Families
Diapers newborn and up
Baby wipes
D batteries
cough/cold medicine
Powdered milk
Children and adult vitamins
Queen sized air mattress and pump(elect)
Sheets and pillow case covers
Friday, January 15, 2010
Heavy Heart
My heart is broken for the people of Haiti. I've gotten where I can hardly watch it on the news but I don't want to turn away because that in itself seems almost disrespectful. The devastation is unimaginable. Ever since this happened, I have been praying about what to do, how to help, where to send money. There are so very many worthy organizations that do such a great job - Franklin Graham's Samaritan's Purse Ministry, Compassion International and of course, the Red Cross. But today I got an email from our very own Gainesville based, Helping Hands Missions founders Drs. Richard and Brenda Kowalske. Both are medical doctors from Gainesville who, up until about seven years ago had private practices here in our town. Then they felt the Lord calling them. Big time calling them - into full time mission work. They began their work in Bolivia and have recently began work in Uganda. However, they travel all over the world as medical missionaries. D and I have had the opportunity on several occasions to sit down privately and discuss their mission work with them. Their energy and enthusiasm for what God has called them to do is incredible. I wish I could tell you the impact they have had on the people in these countries. It would take hours. It is amazing. If you're interested, their website is: http://www.helpinghandsmissions.org/.
Richard and Brenda are leaving for Haiti with their team on Monday, January 25th. They are currently looking for medical professionals from our area to join them, medical supplies, and oh have mercy, search and rescue personnel. Can you imagine? Please allow me to share a portion of the email we received today:
"Our goal is to raise $10,000 to help cover team expenses, medical and other supplies. Besides medical supplies, we will be taking in search and rescue equipment such as pry bars, rope, etc. We will be working in the capital, in about a 5-mile radius. One of our target sites and our contact is at an orphanage just outside the capital. Our requests are for:
Emergency financial support
Medical personnel – doctors, nurse, EMTs, etc. If they are able to come for just a few days, we could probably arrange this also.
Search and rescue personnelMedical supplies: first aid, bandages, gauze, surgical tape, anti-bacterial, Tylenol, ibuprofen, etc. (no clothes, shoes, toys, etc.)
Remember we are going into areas where conditions are unknown; most likely we will deal with dead bodies, and many illnesses. So bottom line, there is risk involved. We will be following all safety protocols, however, there are many unknowns.
Although we will be doing humanitarian work, we will be sharing about the love and hope of Christ."
May the Lord bless them and keep them. May the Lord show them His kindness and have mercy on them. May the Lord watch over them and give them peace. (Num. 6:24-26)
Richard and Brenda are leaving for Haiti with their team on Monday, January 25th. They are currently looking for medical professionals from our area to join them, medical supplies, and oh have mercy, search and rescue personnel. Can you imagine? Please allow me to share a portion of the email we received today:
"Our goal is to raise $10,000 to help cover team expenses, medical and other supplies. Besides medical supplies, we will be taking in search and rescue equipment such as pry bars, rope, etc. We will be working in the capital, in about a 5-mile radius. One of our target sites and our contact is at an orphanage just outside the capital. Our requests are for:
Emergency financial support
Medical personnel – doctors, nurse, EMTs, etc. If they are able to come for just a few days, we could probably arrange this also.
Search and rescue personnelMedical supplies: first aid, bandages, gauze, surgical tape, anti-bacterial, Tylenol, ibuprofen, etc. (no clothes, shoes, toys, etc.)
Remember we are going into areas where conditions are unknown; most likely we will deal with dead bodies, and many illnesses. So bottom line, there is risk involved. We will be following all safety protocols, however, there are many unknowns.
Although we will be doing humanitarian work, we will be sharing about the love and hope of Christ."
May the Lord bless them and keep them. May the Lord show them His kindness and have mercy on them. May the Lord watch over them and give them peace. (Num. 6:24-26)
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