Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Change

At the New Year we always talk about the need for change. We make resolutions, try to lose weight and begin exercise programs. Often the change we need must be deeper. It must be a change of the heart, a change of ways and actions.

This type of change is difficult. It is scary. We see this so clearly for the women at the Home of Hope. They come and want a place of safety, but a changed life is foreign. They don't want to go to that place of change. The first months are especially difficult.

Please continue to pray for *Leah and *Ginny. There is so much that holds them in bondage. They want to leave or run from the home. They see freedom as life on their own, life in the bars, life in another country. After being held in captivity, they see freedom only as a place. As believers we know that true liberty is only in Christ. "He who the Son sets free is free indeed!"

Pray that God would set them free from the captivity of their own souls. Pray that they would submit their lives to Christ and grow in Him.

Pray for peace for Ginny. Her mother died shortly before she was trafficked. She still feels this loss and misses her mother greatly.

Pray also for one of our children. In the next few weeks she needs to get her tonsils out. Pray for safety in the operation and a quick healing for her body.

Pray also for our staff. The work is draining, and they need to see God as victorious in their lives too.

Monday, January 11, 2010

A New Year

I'm sitting this morning at the Home of Hope. We've passed through the holiday season. Last Thursday was Eastern Christmas so there were still services and celebrations throughout the weekend.

Thanks for your prayers over the holiday season. For some of the girls it was a great time. All celebrated in a new style--without alcohol and abuse. But for most of the girls, it still proved a difficult season. It brings to the surface so many tough emotions.

Today I'd like you to pray for the year ahead. Pray for the ministry here. It is still in such an infancy stage. Pray that God would put roots down deep in the hearts of the women. Pray that He would heal their deep inner hurts. Pray that He would become their Father and their comfort. Pray for those that have already committed their lives to the Lord--that they will grow in this new relationship. Pray for those that have not committed their lives to Him. That they would understand the full meaning of what Christ has done for them.

Pray for the other work we do in Moldova. There are churches to be built, pastors to be trained, help to be given. Early in February the annual pastor's conference will be held. Pray that a mighty move of God will fall upon the pastors, giving them new direction so that many will come to Him. Starting in the Spring we will have several teams coming to Moldova to help construct church buildings or help the ministry of a local church. Pray for God's blessings on these teams as they prepare.

Pray also for our family. The girls are doing well, but each is growing up in a very different cultural context than we understand. There are always challenges to home schooling, as there are challenges to public schooling. Pray for God's hand on their lives. Pray also for Andy and I. This Spring we'll celebrate 20 years of marriage. It is hard to believe that we've walked this road together now for nearly 20 years. What a great time we are having. Pray for continued vision and guidance for us also.

Blessings on your day! Thanks for your prayer.