The resiliency of some people's souls never ceases to amaze me. This week we were out in a village, and we met a kind woman who had just recently given birth to a child. She was so joyful and happy to have her baby, and to have a roof over her head. However, we learned that a few years ago, a friend of hers offered to take her on a vacation to Turkey. Now I don't know about you, but if a friend volunteered to take me on vacation with them, I'd probably be going! When they arrived in Turkey, her own good friend sold her to a brothel, where she was beaten, raped, and forced into a life of prostitution. She escaped a few months ago, pregnant with the child of one of the "men" she had been forced to service.
Her life is now very limited. No man would ever consider marrying her. Her big break came when her sister and alcoholic brother-in-law were willing to give her a room in their house that is falling apart. She considers herself so blessed to live there, especially since there are 4 small rows of grapes and a cherry tree in the backyard.
To meet this woman and look in her eyes, you would never guess what she has been subjected to, because there is hope and joy in those eyes. I sat there and thought about what it will be like for her daughter, knowing the origins of her conception and that she is unwanted by her father. She will be as disgraceful as the daughter of Hester Prynne, born as the result of evil.
Pray that the joy will not be snatched from this woman's heart, that she would cling to Christ and experience His love. It is for women like that that the Home of Hope is being established, and pray that it would open soon and be a place where women like this can find hope, acceptance, and love.
Friday, June 27, 2008
The Life You've Always Wanted
As you all know, life has looked a bit different for us this summer than we had originally planned. The Home of Hope isn't open, and we're not working in contact with as many trafficked women as we expected, however, God's pretty good with plans. A lot of what's been happening this summer has been God working in us and changing us. It's been pretty awesome.
I've been reading a book called "The Life You've Always Wanted" by John Ortberg, and it's been awesome. There aren't many books that I would recommend to EVERY Christian I know, but here's my list: The Bible, The Life You've Always Wanted. It has been incredible. I'm even reading it and taking notes!
This morning I read about slowing down your life so that you can enjoy it more, and so that you can give God some space to work. This is something that has happened to us this summer, even though we didn't make a choice to do so (maybe God knew this was the only way we'd actually slow down!). It's been really great, and life really is more enjoyable when you take time to enjoy it (seems kinda obvious, but we don't really do it).
So pick up a copy of this book, and if you're disappointed, I give you permission to punch me in the stomach next time you see me!
I've been reading a book called "The Life You've Always Wanted" by John Ortberg, and it's been awesome. There aren't many books that I would recommend to EVERY Christian I know, but here's my list: The Bible, The Life You've Always Wanted. It has been incredible. I'm even reading it and taking notes!
This morning I read about slowing down your life so that you can enjoy it more, and so that you can give God some space to work. This is something that has happened to us this summer, even though we didn't make a choice to do so (maybe God knew this was the only way we'd actually slow down!). It's been really great, and life really is more enjoyable when you take time to enjoy it (seems kinda obvious, but we don't really do it).
So pick up a copy of this book, and if you're disappointed, I give you permission to punch me in the stomach next time you see me!
Friday, June 13, 2008
and then there were TWO
I love missions. I cannot remember a trip I did not have a blast. One week, two months, one year. It's all been great. Sure there were days of struggle and times I wished I could walk up the stairs on a Saturday morning to meet my pajama clad family and a stack of hot waffles instead of the rubbery intestines I was having to gulf down in my bug-infested, non-English speaking "home." But still, I loved it!
I love the adventure, the chance to try new things, and the opportunity to share the life-giving freedom I have because of Jesus. Currently I was given the assignment to write a presentation that would be presented in over THREE HUNDRED churches around Moldova--to teach, educate and call God's people to respond to trafficking. What an incredible responsibility, what an incredible impact this could have on so many individual lives. I am humbled, I am excited, and I am love missions!
All that to say, Billy and I have found ourselves lonely: wanting family, wanting friends, wanting community. Real, raw and free. We want it. We had it in Chicago and we miss it. Our evening plans used to consist of figuring out what house we were going to crash and who we were going to hang out with. Now, we decide which card game to play, book to read or project to get cracking on. And night after night after night we get bored and we want people.
So, as we enter into month number two we are trying to expand our options. We have friends on the docket for "American" dinner at our place, a family we play video games with [yes, I ALWAYS get last place] and a few single missionary girls who have played some of the same card games we have.
Here's to friendship in a foreign land.
I love the adventure, the chance to try new things, and the opportunity to share the life-giving freedom I have because of Jesus. Currently I was given the assignment to write a presentation that would be presented in over THREE HUNDRED churches around Moldova--to teach, educate and call God's people to respond to trafficking. What an incredible responsibility, what an incredible impact this could have on so many individual lives. I am humbled, I am excited, and I am love missions!
All that to say, Billy and I have found ourselves lonely: wanting family, wanting friends, wanting community. Real, raw and free. We want it. We had it in Chicago and we miss it. Our evening plans used to consist of figuring out what house we were going to crash and who we were going to hang out with. Now, we decide which card game to play, book to read or project to get cracking on. And night after night after night we get bored and we want people.
So, as we enter into month number two we are trying to expand our options. We have friends on the docket for "American" dinner at our place, a family we play video games with [yes, I ALWAYS get last place] and a few single missionary girls who have played some of the same card games we have.
Here's to friendship in a foreign land.
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Unforgivable Sins
I have had the privilege of meeting an incredible young woman here in Moldova who is 19 years old. I haven't said anything to her besides hi, thanks, and good morning, but I have learned her story through some of the missionaries here. Sara (obviously not her real name) is a believer and is a very kind-hearted person. A little over a year ago, she met a Moldovan man thorugh Operation Mobilization, a Missions organization that is all over the world. Sparks flew, he seemed like a nice guy, and she did the Moldovan thing, which is to marry young and very quickly after meeting someone. This turned out to be a mistake.
Within a short amount of time, the marriage became abusive physically, verbally, and emotionally. At times, her husband would lock her in the house during the day so she could not leave. She was beat and treated like a third rate human being (hate to tell you, but in a lot of ways women are already treated second rate here, and in many other places). It often takes women years upon years to walk away from an abusive relationship, and some never do. However, this girl knew that this was not right, and decided to leave her husband.
At this point, it seems that the church should step in and support such a woman who is broken and scarred, but this is the opposite of reality. Sara is now told that she is no longer allowed to be a member of the church. She is not allowed to serve in the church, and no pastor who submits to his authorities here in Moldova would dare to remarry her. So here you have a 19 year old girl with her whole life ahead of her, who if she continues to be a Christian and live in her home country, will remain single for the rest of her life. Moldova is not a land where women live single, have careers and enjoy life. Especially not Sara. As I see her sit and read with the kids and interact with them, I see in her a desire to be a mom, a desire that the church says will never be fulfilled, unless she goes back to her abusive husband.
It seems the church has added another unforgivable sin: Divorce. What about grace? Is that not a part of our vocabulary? I have been pretty frustrated about this, even though I know the pastors are men who strive for holiness, it should not be a holiness without grace. The church is the family of God, and I don't see too many families tossing out it's members because of a few mistakes.
Pray for Sara. Several missionaries have gone to bat with the bishops here for this woman, but with little success. Pray for the church in Moldova, that they would be able to inspire holiness through grace, as Jesus Christ does.
Within a short amount of time, the marriage became abusive physically, verbally, and emotionally. At times, her husband would lock her in the house during the day so she could not leave. She was beat and treated like a third rate human being (hate to tell you, but in a lot of ways women are already treated second rate here, and in many other places). It often takes women years upon years to walk away from an abusive relationship, and some never do. However, this girl knew that this was not right, and decided to leave her husband.
At this point, it seems that the church should step in and support such a woman who is broken and scarred, but this is the opposite of reality. Sara is now told that she is no longer allowed to be a member of the church. She is not allowed to serve in the church, and no pastor who submits to his authorities here in Moldova would dare to remarry her. So here you have a 19 year old girl with her whole life ahead of her, who if she continues to be a Christian and live in her home country, will remain single for the rest of her life. Moldova is not a land where women live single, have careers and enjoy life. Especially not Sara. As I see her sit and read with the kids and interact with them, I see in her a desire to be a mom, a desire that the church says will never be fulfilled, unless she goes back to her abusive husband.
It seems the church has added another unforgivable sin: Divorce. What about grace? Is that not a part of our vocabulary? I have been pretty frustrated about this, even though I know the pastors are men who strive for holiness, it should not be a holiness without grace. The church is the family of God, and I don't see too many families tossing out it's members because of a few mistakes.
Pray for Sara. Several missionaries have gone to bat with the bishops here for this woman, but with little success. Pray for the church in Moldova, that they would be able to inspire holiness through grace, as Jesus Christ does.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Whatever it takes...
A little over a week ago, we sat in the car with Andy and Nancy, our host missionaries, and we talked about what the summer was actually going to look like. The home, which was planned to open in December of 2007, is still in the final stages of contruction. Therefore, we're not seeing women who have been trafficked, as the home is not yet open. So here's what we're doing this summer:
1. Training staff - The women who will run the home are awesome. We got to meet them last week, and they have a love for Christ and a broken heart for trafficked women in Moldova. However, they have never been trained in counseling, running a home, dealing with victims of trauma. Most of them have barely spent time with unbelievers, as the church here is very separatistic and doesn't interact with the world outside the four walls of the church often. Therefore, we're also hoping to help them understand how to show the love of Christ to those who might reject Him, at least initially. Pray for us as we undertake this task, as it is HUGE!
2. Developing a way to challenge the church to engage - barely anyone, including the church is doing anything about the problem of trafficking in Moldova, and we are helping to figure out a way to bring a challenge to the church to get involved and love these prostituted women, who are often rejected as the worst of sinners.
3. Writing promotional materials - we want to help get the word out about what is going on in Moldova and how project rescue is at work and how they can get involved.
4. Develop a ministry plan for the Home of Hope and Stella's House 2 - We're helping think through the entire process, from recruitment to a daily schedule, philosophy of ministry, discipline, and everything else you could think of. Stella's House 2 will house 25 girls and be somewhat similar to Stella's House (see previous post). The Home of Hope will house survivors of sex trafficking and help them recover.
So that is our task for the summer. Please be in prayer for us as we strive to be sensitive to God's leading as we help these ministries develop. Pray that we would be able to accomplish the tasks that have been set before us, and pray also that God would work in our hearts and change us to be more like the version of ourselves that we are supposed to be.
1. Training staff - The women who will run the home are awesome. We got to meet them last week, and they have a love for Christ and a broken heart for trafficked women in Moldova. However, they have never been trained in counseling, running a home, dealing with victims of trauma. Most of them have barely spent time with unbelievers, as the church here is very separatistic and doesn't interact with the world outside the four walls of the church often. Therefore, we're also hoping to help them understand how to show the love of Christ to those who might reject Him, at least initially. Pray for us as we undertake this task, as it is HUGE!
2. Developing a way to challenge the church to engage - barely anyone, including the church is doing anything about the problem of trafficking in Moldova, and we are helping to figure out a way to bring a challenge to the church to get involved and love these prostituted women, who are often rejected as the worst of sinners.
3. Writing promotional materials - we want to help get the word out about what is going on in Moldova and how project rescue is at work and how they can get involved.
4. Develop a ministry plan for the Home of Hope and Stella's House 2 - We're helping think through the entire process, from recruitment to a daily schedule, philosophy of ministry, discipline, and everything else you could think of. Stella's House 2 will house 25 girls and be somewhat similar to Stella's House (see previous post). The Home of Hope will house survivors of sex trafficking and help them recover.
So that is our task for the summer. Please be in prayer for us as we strive to be sensitive to God's leading as we help these ministries develop. Pray that we would be able to accomplish the tasks that have been set before us, and pray also that God would work in our hearts and change us to be more like the version of ourselves that we are supposed to be.
Falling in Love With Jesus
One of the coolest things we've been able to do so far was to go hang out at a place called Stella's House here in Moldova. In this country, orphans are put out of orphanages when they turn 16 and left to take care of themselves. Stella's House was started by a man named Philip Cameron because he saw that girls would be easily trafficked when they came out of the homes, 16 years old and vulnerable. What's more, he saw that these girls had never really had a home, never really been loved or known what's it like to have a family. Stella's House is a beautiful house where 14 girls live together with house parents, and let me tell you, they've got a pretty good home going on there.
Philip was talking with Katie and I as well as two other American girls in their 20s for a while about the ministry and his life and journey with Christ. This man has dedicated his life to multiple ministry projects for Christ, and if you were to sit with this man, you would understand that he has passion and he's all heart. He looked at us and said "Let me tell you something: Fall in love with Jesus! Don't ever do ministry because you feel like you should serve or out of obligation. Fall in love with Jesus and you won't be able to stop." Those words have been ringing in my head for the past few days. What does it look like to really fall in love with Jesus?
I think I fell in love with Jesus in high school. I remember times of sitting in my youth pastor's house singing my heart out and feeling so connected to God. Then I went to college, and I started learning how to explain and "understand" God. Then I learned, as I always did, that if I loved God, I needed to do work for God, so I did. I worked in youth groups, at camps, at homeless shelters, on missions trips, etc. Somewhere in there, it stopped being about loving Jesus and more about just doing what I know I'm supposed to do. Now I sit here in Moldova thinking back and wondering how do I get to a place of just loving Jesus. That is what I want, that is what I desire, and that is how you all can pray for me.
Philip was talking with Katie and I as well as two other American girls in their 20s for a while about the ministry and his life and journey with Christ. This man has dedicated his life to multiple ministry projects for Christ, and if you were to sit with this man, you would understand that he has passion and he's all heart. He looked at us and said "Let me tell you something: Fall in love with Jesus! Don't ever do ministry because you feel like you should serve or out of obligation. Fall in love with Jesus and you won't be able to stop." Those words have been ringing in my head for the past few days. What does it look like to really fall in love with Jesus?
I think I fell in love with Jesus in high school. I remember times of sitting in my youth pastor's house singing my heart out and feeling so connected to God. Then I went to college, and I started learning how to explain and "understand" God. Then I learned, as I always did, that if I loved God, I needed to do work for God, so I did. I worked in youth groups, at camps, at homeless shelters, on missions trips, etc. Somewhere in there, it stopped being about loving Jesus and more about just doing what I know I'm supposed to do. Now I sit here in Moldova thinking back and wondering how do I get to a place of just loving Jesus. That is what I want, that is what I desire, and that is how you all can pray for me.
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