“Back when I was a kid we walked five miles through the snow to go to school.” How many of us have heard that statement more than once? I think the older generation has heard it more than once from grandparents or parents and gee, I wonder if we haven’t used it, or something similar, a time or two ourselves on our own kids.

Each generation has their own ways of thinking, their own attitudes about things, and of course the younger generation is “always right.” This is happening to a small degree between the Pastor’s generation and the wife’s generation. Wife wants things her way, how she wants it done, and her likes and dislikes. Pastor, having more experience with creating a Lord led ministry, wants things done the Lord’s way and through much prayer He’s following the guidance the Lord is giving him. Plus the fact that certain legalities must be followed and those are a priority.

Minor clashes arise and are handled but there seems to be a tension arising on the part of the couple who are being paid to do the work. The tearing apart, ripping off, and putting replacement panels up has slowed considerably. Excuses are being made for the work slowing and we’re not sure why and contacts and networking have slowed on the part of the wife. And sadly information is being withheld.

The wife has given a testimony at church letting us know how easily girls and women, even boys, can be suckered into the sex traffic trap without their realizing what is happening. It isn’t simply a teen being snatched off the street, which most definitely happens many times, but the sly boyfriend that entices the girl with his “love.” The promise of “being on your own and I’ll take care of you” is made to the young run away or on the internet by some pervert posing as someone he is not.

There are many ways women and young girls are caught up in the web of deceit and for some the years of entrapment goes by before they can be rescued out of the life they neither wanted, was lied to about, forced into, and definitely not deserved.

Thousands of babies, young children, teens, and adults are trapped into the underbelly of our society and many are lost forever. Evil abounds but through Christ some are saved by people or organizations that care and do something about it rather than just shake their head and click their tongues. That’s how the wife was rescued. Someone cared!

My visit to the home opened my eyes to the vast amount of work needed to be done and inquiring about a second visit some weeks later is turned down. I knew then something wasn’t on the up and up but let it go. Questioning Pastor I learn that he has made a couple of visits and isn’t entirely pleased with what he saw but he is the type of man that will show grace and work with the couple as much as possible without having to use a “heavy hand” very often.

I’m sorry to confess I’m more of the task master. If you’re being paid a handsome salary to work, then work! Enough with the excuses!

Our meetings have continued and more discussions are around my table. Pastor has been having meetings with others that have a similar ministry to learn more about the in’s and out’s of having a home for women such as what we are striving for. He’s gained much insight and has even gained a few supporters. Both are extremely necessary for this endeavor.

Slowly, very slowly, the work is being taken care of and our hope is to get the home ready and women moved in as soon as we can close.

Will that happen? Will more bumps in the road arise? Will it be a smooth ride, or gravel with pot holes?

Stick around, it gets more interesting.

Blessings to you.

Into The Light Ministry

http://www.intothelightga.com

As stated in the previous post we have hired a couple and they have moved into the home we are renting for three months with the goal of raising three hundred thousand dollars to purchase it in January of 2022. The couple has begun their work and pastor and I meet for more discussions. Gerri, pastor, and I meet for more updates, e-mails and texts are flying back and forth, and pastor is networking for all he’s worth. A website has been created, (bottom of the page) we’ve raised a few thousand dollars toward the purchase, we’re recruiting volunteers to help here and there, and things seem to be on track.

As yet I have only seen a picture of the front of the house. It’s time to step inside and see what’s really there. Pulling into the driveway my mouth drops open. The entire front corner of the house, as well as the side of the house, is buried in ripped up paneling, pieces of wood, garbage, buckets of who knows what, and only the Lord knows what else, and its almost roof high! “I guess they have been working,” is my thought as I step gingerly through a narrow path into an open carport. (also filled with stuff).

Stepping inside, the place is an absolute mess. Oh yeah, they have been working alright. (Now don’t get me wrong. I’m more than familiar with renovations and the mess that entails.) The wife greets me and Gerri while she stands holding the baby and apologizes for the mess of dirty dishes. (You mean there’s a sink and counter buried under that?) I pick my way over and around ripped off molding, pieces of old furniture shoved here and there, sheet rock and paneling leaning against torn up walls, and make my way through the three bedrooms, living room, two baths, and finally to the large back yard with partial fences and two old sheds.

I ask a few questions of the wife as we stand near the kitchen, while Gerri does goo-goo’s with the baby and pets the dog. I had met the wife once previously and my spirit was not feeling peace about her but she had come with good recommendations so who am I to judge? I left the home with a brain going wild with all sorts of unanswered questions and a very unsettled spirit.

Pastor had set a goal date for when he wanted the women to move in and after seeing all the work that needs to be done to make this place a livable home there is no way that goal could or would be met. In yet another meeting Pastor revealed that a good bit of material is being donated which is saving us boo-koodles of money. Praise God and thank you Jesus, the work is being continued and gradually the donations are coming in.

In church Pastor is always “on fire” and this morning he excitedly shared with all of us that someone had handed him a sizable check. “I just heard about what you’re doing and wanted to donate,” the person told him. (Hallelujah!) “Then the next day,” he added, “Someone else handed him a chunk of money.” Praise God, He is working behind the scenes! You go God!

After seeing the tearing down of panels and sheet rock, witnessing the destruction and repairs to be made I have to let go that this isn’t going to be the log lodge of my long time dream. I haven’t given up hope because this is just the beginning. We’re starting small and will someday, maybe in my lifetime, build the log lodge. So the beginning of the dream isn’t dead, but will it stay on track? Will the work continue and meet our new move-in goal?

Stay tuned and see you next time.

Blessings to you.

~~~~~~

Into The Light Ministry

http://www.intothelightga.com

Throughout many nights my mind seems to take a path of its own. I don’t want to let go of my dream lodge but practicality has to take the forefront. We three; Pastor, me, and Gerri, begin discussing what is needed, the particulars of what we need to do to start this new ministry. Pastor is very familiar with starting a new ministry since he started a school and orphanage in Africa some years earlier and it has not only been a great success but a blessing to so many. Pastors are opening churches, the school is growing in grade levels and students, and people are being saved.

But, we are in the USA and there is much red tape to go through. But first our discussions begin with what to name the ministry, will it be a non-profit 501c3 separate from the church? How many women do we want to minister to at first? What age group should we set? So many questions and ideas to bounce around. All important questions before we can really sink our teeth into getting a “boot on the ground.”

Gerri had been a foster Mom for several years so her knowledge of the Georgia laws regarding under aged kids is valuable. We’ve decided we can not, without much state red tape, social workers, and the parental rights, minister to under age girls. So a decision is made we will accept eighteen year old and above.

That is a relief! (I’m not a kid person)

Sex traffic is the number one scourge on our society. Due to my background in sexual abuse, having been a victim and several years of ministering to victims, and the extensive research Gerri did (and still does) on what sex traffic entails, we’ve decided to minister to women who have been rescued from the horrors of having been sex slaves to a bunch of evil perverts. Learning that most are forcibly drugged as well as being forced into prostitution we know we need a safe place for healing, and more discussions.

Pastor, through the many connections he has, has learned there are few homes for these women to transition out of hell into normal life again. He also learned there are very few ministries that offer help, but there are a few programs, very few, that women can be a part of for a year. They go through counseling, rehabilitation, drug programs and are looked after and nourished emotionally and physically throughout the year program. When they have completed the year they are then sent, if they desire, to a “transition” home. That’s what we want to offer. A safe transition home to help them adjust back into society as whole, productive women.

Ohhh but there is so much to do before any of that happens on our part. I don’t know all the ins and outs of what Pastor is doing behind the scenes but I do know he is making darn sure all the legal T’s are crossed and the I’s dotted.

At yet another meeting Pastor tells us he is going to purchase the home he had found, the “not a lodge by any stretch” home. The owner will rent it to him for three months and we have to raise three hundred thousand dollars in those three months in order to purchase the home.

Okay, my heart did a flip flop and landed in my feet! Oh dear Lord I know you are in control and this is your ministry. Help!

With much prayer we’ve decided to remain under the churches 501c3 for now so as to be able to get the ministry going without having to go through all the red tape. We will have our own 501c3 at a later date.

A young couple was referred to Pastor. (I call mid to late twenties, young) The wife will be an “executive director” sort, and the husband will do the needed repairs to get the house in shape. The wife has gone through the program that I mentioned earlier as well as a transition home, and has many contacts and knowledge of what is needed to get things rolling. She and her husband is hired with the church boards approval and the couple moves in with their infant son.

We’ve had several more meetings along with e-mails, phone calls, and snatches of what’s happening before and after church on Sunday and it seems things are moving along. May I suggest that Sundays are not a good time to try to talk business. 🙂

On Sunday morning Pastor stops by our seats and announces, “We’ll call the ministry, ‘Into the Light.’ These women are coming “Out of Darkness” (A program I mentioned above) and we’ll be God’s light.”

“I love it!” both Gerri and I exclaim at the same time, as Pastor heads for the pulpit.

My heart begins to rise back toward my chest. Little do I know what is coming.

Stay tuned and I’ll see you next time.

Blessings to you.

~~~~~~

Into The Light Ministry

http://www.intothelightga.com

I have written previously how the Lord put on my heart to minister to women that have been sexually abused as children, some 28 years ago. I started support groups, wrote a small publication whereby survivors wrote the articles, have had 9 books published, the Lord brought various women to live with me as a way to minister to them. During those early years the Lord gave me a vision of building a large log cabin style home for survivors of sexual abuse.

He wanted to provide a place where women could heal, a place to feel safe, and to get on their feet; physically and emotionally, and overcome the atrocities that had been done to them. He wanted them to be able to walk out of our “healing home” with their heads held high without the guilt, shame, unforgiveness, and all the issues that render them prisoners to their past. He wanted to help women become whole again.

That has been my dream for many years but it takes a lot of money to do something like that. First the cost of land, and for the size of the home He wanted me to build, well, I just didn’t have it. I didn’t have the money for building or for land, so the dream lie dormant for many years.

Several months ago my pastor and I were talking and low and behold he has had the same dream of reaching out to hurting women. The more we talked the more we got on fire to do something about it and the vision we both have began to take hold. Just bits and pieces but it was there and alive.

I admit, in our enthusiasm we got ahead of the Lord. Of course we were praying about all of this but we just let the thrill of starting take over. We looked at land, I made drawings of the lodge the Lord had showed me so many years ago, found a picture of almost the exact vision of the log building from long ago, and the more we looked the more we realized we were going to have to stop and take a breath, back up, and get real.

Land prices have sky rocketed, available land in the number of acres we felt we needed was snatched off the market by developers before we could even see it. The price of lumber more than doubled almost over night and even builders were having a tough time getting what they needed to finish their projects. The realities of what we were facing were hitting us right between the eyes.

Several months went by and we did our normal everyday things; he preparing his sermons, visiting sick patients, presiding over funerals, weddings, all the duties of a lead pastor. And I kept dreaming, granted a little disappointment played on the edges of my vision but I gave it to the Lord. The dream wasn’t dead yet.

Then suddenly one day Pastor came to me and my roommate, Gerri, “I found a house! I think we should start small. If we can raise the money then we can start small with just a few women.” My heart beat much faster and many nights was spent planning and hoping and praying, “Lord is this what we are supposed to do?” I didn’t want to get ahead of Him again!

Gerri lives in my basement guest house and very soon the Lord laid it on her heart to be a part of our vision. She has a heart for children and her dream has been the same, only a safe place for abused children.

Soon the ball was beginning to roll. I saw a picture of the outside of the house Pastor found for sale. It is no log cabin, definitely not a log lodge, by any stretch of the imagination. My heart sunk looking at that picture, but not all the way to the bottom. “Its a start” is what I kept telling myself. Over and over, “Its a start.” But my lodge isn’t going away. The images still dance and flicker in and out of my dreams. Will I have to surrender my dream lodge or will it become reality?

Stay tuned for more as our vision becomes more and more a reality.

See you next time and blessings to you.

~~~~~~~

http://www.intothelightga.com

Into The Light Ministry

#Startingaministry #Beginningsofadream #Godswillversusmans

Looking up at the sky while holding her hand above her eyes to shade them, the sun warmly beats down on her long blonde hair that’s pulled back in a pony tail. She turns in a slow circle smiling brightly and suddenly stops.

Listening closely, she drops her hand and turns another half circle. “What? What is that I hear?” she whispers to herself.

A branch, with purple flowers and abundant leaves, softly sways as if dancing to unheard music. She watches, waits, and hears what she thinks could be music. Cocking her head she takes a step closer. Listening intently she takes another step closer.

“I do hear music!”

Listening more closely she takes another step and the music sounds a tiny bit louder. She can’t make out what the tune is but she senses that she’s heard it before. “Is it a bird?”

Afraid to get too close so as not to frighten what she has decided is some sort of song bird, she slowly sits down on the grass nearby. Softly she begins to hum with the tune. Scooting a bit closer, ever so quietly, she tries to see into the bush but the branches are too thick. Gradually she scoots closer and closer.

Hearing just snatches of the song, she hums along until the end of the song. Ever so cautiously she reaches into the bush. Her hand suddenly touches something. She jerks her hand back as she slams her other hand over her mouth to silence the scream that is about to erupt. Jumping to her knees in preparation to run for her life, she waits for her heart to slow.

After several moments she decides to try again. Sliding her hand slowly into the bush she whispers softly, “It’s okay, I’m not going to hurt you.”

Nothing happens.

She slowly and cautiously feels around within the bush when suddenly her fingers feel the tip of something.

She stops.

Sucking in a deep breath and whispering a quick prayer, she bravely snatches it and jerks it out of the bush.

“Got’cha!” She exclaims proudly.

Uncurling her fingers, she looks down at what she has grabbed. Surprise dances across her face. Bursting out laughing she plops down on the grass.

A small battery operated tape recorder begins playing, Amazing Grace how sweet the sound.

~~~~~~

Into the Light Ministry

http://www.Intothelightga.com

In 1994 The Lord led me to start a ministry, The Angel Ministry, that would offer hope, healing, and deliverance to women that had been sexually abused as children. I led support groups for fourteen years, not only in Georgia, but various other states. Also during that time, for four years, I published the Angels by Grace publication whereby all the articles was written by survivors and read across the United States.

In 2003 this ministry became Elah Ministries, Inc. a 501c3 non-profit. The Lord has used this ministry in many different ways, including helping me to write and publish nine fiction and non-fiction books, all to glorify our Lord. Not to mention the many, many lives He has touched through individual ministry.

It has been quite the journey to say the least. None of this would have happened without the Lord Jesus Christ. I give Him all praise, honor, and glory for what He has done through me, within me, and for me through being obedient to His call and for the lives He has touched.

As the old saying goes, “All good things come to an end.” But not necessarily. In my case He gives me a different direction and that’s what is happening now. I’m saying good-bye to a long, adventurous journey and entering a new season of ministry.

My church has created a new ministry called, INTO THE LIGHT. We have a home for women that have been rescued from sex traffic where through this transition they are offered a safe place to live, a safe place to heal, a safe place to get on their feet, grow close to the Lord, and walk with their heads held high.

Right now we are getting the home ready for them and in the near future we will have up to six women moving in. I can’t wait to meet them and to be a small part of what the Lord will be doing within these women. Its exciting to say the least.

Into the Light Home is supported by donations only.

If you would like to be a part of what the Lord is doing for these women through your donations, or partnering with us, – or for more information, go to:

http://www.intothelightga.com

Thank you all who have prayed and supported my ministry for all these years. I look forward to meeting you again through this new ministry.

Blessings to you;

In Him,

Sue

Christmas is a time to reflect on the birth of Jesus Christ. The One who came and will come again. Growing up that wasn’t a priority in my home so my focus had always been on the gifts under the tree. What did Santa bring? Did he get the letter I wrote? What if I’m on the “naughty list,” will I not get anything?

Many years later I married a man who was raised in a Christian orphanage in the 1930’s. He described the orphanage as a big scary, ugly gray building, and there were a lot of kids. There were dorms filled with single beds. On one side of the building were the boys and on the other side of the building were the girls. He was four years old when his daddy left him abandoned in a hospital and he never saw him, or his family, again.

When Christmas rolled around, the many children would receive one gift each. Usually it was a small toy or a piece of clothing they needed. One bicycle was donated one year for all the boys to share. There was not funds for such an extravagant gift for each child. Toys were shared and outgrown clothes handed down.

His stories always brought tears to my eyes.

Even after all those years and now married I didn’t regard Christmas as holy but I wanted to make our first Christmas very special for my new husband. One day I suddenly felt very strongly that I wanted a manger scene. I’d seen many in stores, they were always touting Christ’s birth, so I bought one and as I took the pieces out of the box, I started to place the pieces on the glass topped table, only I didn’t know who went where.

My husband sat watching and could tell I didn’t know one piece from the other and quietly came over and knelt down beside me. “Oh Su-Su, look at this one of Joseph.” And he set it in its place. He did that with each piece, commenting about them and never condemning me or making fun because of my ignorance.

We bought a seven foot tree and with Christmas music playing we had fun decorating with all the silver tinsel, colorful balls, and lights. With great care he took the angel out of my hands and stepped onto the ladder. Carefully he positioned the angel on the top of the tree and then stood looking down at me grinning. He’d never been able to do that before. Tears flowed down my cheeks as I gazed up at him.

As I shopped for the gifts I wanted to place under the Christmas tree I would remember that one gift he would receive each Christmas at the orphanage during his 13 years of living there. I bought everything I could think of that I thought he could use or want.

While he was at work I would take a package of socks and wrap each pair separately. The same with new shorts, or a pair of tennis shoes, (one shoe in one box, the other in another) a sweat band he’d use for running, a screw driver. I had packages galore for this man I loved. I made a vow that he would have more gifts to open than Santa had in his big red bag. He would never be deprived of the joy of opening lots of gifts again.

Christmas morning was cold. And snuggled down under a layer of covers my man jumped from the bed while pulling me by the arm like a kid at the break of dawn. “Come on Su-Su, it’s Christmas, we can open our gifts!” He raced down the stairs and plopped in front of the Christmas tree looking up expectantly as I slowly, and sleepily, maneuvered the stairs while tying my bathrobe around me.

I sat in the chair with teary eyes watching this grown man rip open gift after gift with a smile that lit up the whole room. He’d laugh joyfully when it was another pair of socks, he’d crunch his face up and say, “Hmmm, I wonder what this is” as he’d gently shake the wrapped box.

I know people feel the same way watching their little ones rip open gifts, squeal with joy if its something they really wanted, but to watch a grown man who has overcome so much rejection, having been abandoned, and deprived of what so many others received… indescribable.

The years that followed were the same. Many gifts, much love, laughter, and huge Christmas dinners.

It still brings tears to my eyes and a smile as I remember those years. I cherish those memories.

He doesn’t need a lot of gifts now. There are no Christmas trees or manger scenes. Instead of gazing in wonder at a ceramic baby Jesus in a manger…

he is gazing into the very eyes of the greatest gift of all time –

Jesus Christ.

~~~~~~

To read the full story of this incredible man’s journey : THE NARROW ROAD is his story and available on Amazon.

Merry Christmas.

Into The Light Ministry

http://www.intothelightga.com

The Night Before Jesus Came

Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the place,
Not a creature was praying, not one on their face.
Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care,
In hopes that Jesus would not come there.
The children were dressing to crawl into bed,
Not one ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap,
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.
When out of the East there arose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray,
I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY!
The light of His face made me cover my head,
It was Jesus returning just like He had said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.
In the Book of Life which He held in His hand,
Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
When He said “It’s not here” my head hung in shame.
The people whose names had been written with love,
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound,
While all the rest were left standing around.
I fell to my knees, but it was too late,
I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.
In the words of this poem the meaning is clear,
The coming of Jesus is drawing near.
There’s only one life and when comes the last call,
We’ll find that the Bible was true after all!

Author unknown

#Jesus #Bible #Jesuscoming #Rapture #Bookoflife

Into The Light Ministry

http://www.intothelightga.com