Helping Survivors Across the Nation

While partnering with EveryONE Free as a case manager for sex trafficked survivors Michelle has been blessed to form friendships and partnerships with others around the nation who have a heart to see women living in freedom and purpose.  One way we were blessed to see the Lord work was through a fellow co-worker on staff with Cru.  Pamela serves with Cru in Florida and has a heart for working with survivors as well. During our last Cru conference Michelle and Pamela were able to connect with one another.                          

Fast forward to this year and Michelle met *Anne.  Anne joined the online 24-week Pathways to Freedom class Michelle is a part of. Anne began sharing her story of being trafficked in the past and how she found freedom about 2 years ago.  The home she was in was closing down and she began to share about her daily struggle of depression and hopelessness in her future.  Her abuser had tracked her down in the past and she was struggling with deep fear for where she could go next.  Michelle connected with her as her case manager and began to reach out to various partnerships to find help for Anne.  A blessing appeared as Michelle remembered Pamela in Florida and reached out to her about the safe housing she helps with in Florida.  Just at that time a room had opened up and Anne was able to have an interview and receive a safe place to live!  We could see the Lord’s hand in it all with the timing and a perfect location for Anne to move to.  Soon after moving Anne texted Michelle:

I just wanted to tell you I was thinking about you this morning and I wanted to tell you how grateful I am for you. You have helped me in so many ways and I don’t know where I’d be without you.  I wanted you to know that I’m doing well here and I LOVE it here at the house. It is absolutely beautiful. I’m getting to know one of my roommates better and it’s nice to have social contact. Thank you so much for pointing me here. I’m Truly grateful.

Anne is continuing to thrive and currently taking college classes in Psychology at a local college.  She has big dreams and a beautiful future ahead of her.                                  

Thank you for praying for survivors such as Anne and so many others who are starting new lives and taking big steps for their futures and healing. Please pray they would see the love of Jesus through our words and actions and find His deep healing and peace.

According to Barna research—as of March 2022 :

42% of pastors have considered quitting full-time ministry within the past year.

Two in Five pastors (43%) say “I feel lonely and isolated.”

56% say “the immense stress of the job” has factored into their thoughts on leaving. 

Pastors Should Not Lead Alone

Last year Pastor Hunter from Solid Rock Church approached Joseph and asked if he would be willing to meet with him once a month.  He desired to meet for accountability and connection.  He wanted to grow in his leadership and emotional well-being as a leader. It has been such a blessing for Joseph to meet once a month with him and feels honored that Hunter would open up his life in this way with him.

Family Update…

Happy October! Thank you for your continual prayers for us and the ministry here in Los Angeles. We are thankful for each and every day and treasuring our times together as a family.  It is definitely a hard transition at times with 3 out of 4 kiddos being young adults and we miss those young years of childhood—but we are thankful for the friendships we now have with these amazing humans. 🙂   Thank you for continuing to pray for Joseph and his radiation treatments.  He has 10 treatments left to go and we eagerly look forward to hearing him ring the bell at City of Hope to close this difficult chapter of radiation. God has been so good to us in this season, and we have all grown closer to one another and to Him in so many ways that we would never change.   

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrew 4:16

Thank you also so much for your continual prayers and financial support for us and the ministry here in Los Angeles.  We are truly grateful for each of you and are blessed.