"How shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard?"

I often mention "outreach" or prison ministry and yet many do not know exactly what I am referring to so here's a brief explanation of the things that have captivated my heart and the open doors God has led me to walk through.

When I was 21( eh em...last year...j/k!!!) years old God broke my heart for so many things, one was sexually broken women, specifically prostitutes. I can remember weeping on my bedroom floor as my heart ached for women I had never seen, met or had any idea that I ever would. I really thought God was crazy (ok maybe I was!) I had never been a prostitute, talked to one...how in the world was I going to ever minister to prostitutes. I didn't know what to do with this burden, but I knew I should pray. I prayed and prayed for women in prostitution, I had hoped someday I would be able to share Jesus with these women...but that seemed impossible. Over the next 7 years the Lord would often bring back this burden, I would be driving somewhere in Europe and see one brothel after the next, my heart breaking more and yet I felt more helpless for how to help. Certainly I couldn't just go alone to the places these women were and what would I say? I knew I needed to keep praying.

When I moved back to the States, the Lord told me it was time. Admittedly I still didn't understand how and really thought the idea was crazy...but who prays for something for 7 years, surely God was going to do something. I knew of a recent church plant in Hollywood, CA and I knew their heart for ministry and thought, "surely they have a prostitution ministry" now this is not a normal thought, but it was God's leading. Sure enough I looked on their website and there it was, "After Hours Ministry, a ministry to pimps and prostitutes". They taught classes every month and led outreaches in the LA area. What an incredible day that was, the desire of my heart was being fulfilled after 7 years. His timing is perfect and His ways are beyond understanding.

I went to the next class and well the rest is history. I have the privilege of serving in a variety of ways with After Hours ministry, one of them is taking part in weekly outreaches in the LA area where we get to physically meet these women and where God has been developing relationships leading them to trust more and open their hearts to Jesus. I have been challenged far beyond my comfort zone, God has grown my compassion for His children, He has helped me see our devastation with His eyes and yet He has also given me a heart to show these men and women who they are in Him and the beautiful plans He has for them in Christ.

If your heart is burdened in a specific way, I encourage you to continue to pray, do not give up, the Lord has created each of us uniquely and He wants to bless us by involving us in His work and teaching us more of His heart.

* I felt like I needed to add to this that simply because I prayed for something...didn't mean God "had" to do something in the way that He did....sometimes He may burden us for something, simply so we can pray and learn more of His heart or be a part of what He is doing. Hudson Taylor said, "move man through God by prayer alone"... one of our greatest resources is prayer and I don't want to discount the power of that.

Camp 13...

Camp is a local women's prison where the prisoners work with the fire department. These women work hard and are able to learn new things while in prison.

4 years ago I began going into this prison with a team from our church that had long been established there. We basically hold a church service when we go, we have worship in song, a time of prayer and we teach God's Word. Just this last weekend I was so overwhelmed by the faith, joy and hunger for Jesus that these precious saints have. We are so blessed to be a part of God's restoration in their lives. Different members of our team are there 3-4 times a week, what a blessing that we can have such a consistent ministry with these women. We see so many come and go and so many come to Jesus and turn their lives around. God is gracious and loving and desires that all come to repentance... no one is too far from Him.

"How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!'" Romans 10:14,15

"Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Hijm, and He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light and your justice as the noonday. Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him..."Psalm37:3-7