*Well I guess when you don't hear from me for a while it's a good sign that I am keeping busy or perhaps dead... but let's just go with the first one ;) I'm doing well btw for those of you that are now concerned. :) Well it looks like I have a lot to catch you up on... These last two months, I have had the opportunity to hear many of the women's stories who have found themselves in utter darkness, but are now experiencing the love and hope that God has to offer. We have had 3 girls in our home and 7 women in the community give their lives to the Lord. Seeing the girls come alive for God and even want to reach out to others has given me such immense hope for this Nation and even this world. This ministry is truly being blessed and multiplying in so many ways! We have had more short term and long term volunteers coming to help us in different ways, God has been providing us with more financial support and supplies, we are beginning to expand the vision of moving to a larger "facility" to be able to help more women and their babies (as well as the community), and some of the women have started different small businesses to support their children. One business in particular that has really taken off is a jewelry business called Poppy Designs. We have created a website for her and will be able to take orders soon! :) If you would like to check it out, you can click here: http://poppy-designs-jewels.myshopify.com/collections/all Talking about all this hope, I can't help but feel in somewhat of a paradox. With being in the midst of the Holiday season (Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years) I find myself experiencing homesickness for the first time in my life. Not the homesickness in the sense of familiarity or even for the places themselves, but simply the people. Though technology has been a GREAT tool to stay connected and feel 'closer', it never satisfies the desire to be with someone or to just feel the comfort of ones embrace - Apple simply doesn't have an App for that... However, in this current rough season, I have realized how deeply homesick we all are for our True Home and that our hope does not rest in things of this world. One day, being in the arms of the Father with all our family, friends, and loved ones -- What a day it will be!! He is the One we wait for, the One we look towards, and the One we hope in. The songs "I Lift My Eyes Up" and "Better is One Day" by Kutless and Isaiah 40:31 comes to mind. "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." I started reading the book 30 Days of Praise Challenge. In this rough season I began to see the only thing that made sense is to go to God in praise. Though the storms may rage and the struggles ensue, His love is steadfast and His ways are sovereign. "As you praise me, My Spirit will pour strength into your soul and you will feel renewed energy rising." (Psalm 59:17) To be honest, I am not sure where I am going with all of these realizations, but mostly just being honest in that this journey is not always a glorious picture like many may think. However, what a journey it has been in that I am continually learning new things every day about God and even myself. And looking in a greater light, I'm thankful for the struggles... Let HOPE arise! Praise Reports: - Billy Graham came to Chiang Mai for the Abundant Life Concert and 1,000s of people gave their lives to the Lord. - God is providing for HOS & the woman in so many ways!! :) - Big things are happening within HOS and we can barely keep up! :D - I have an amazing Thai tutor that not only teaches me basic Thai, but also gives me different Thai perspectives to better understand them and the culture, teaches me Christian vocabulary and different Thai worship songs! Such a blessing and has already helped me in several conversations :) Prayer Requests: - Those that gave their lives to the Lord, pray that it will be a real transformation and not just a spontaneous or “feel good” decision they made. When it comes to Buddhism, it would be easy for these new Christians to just add God to their list of other gods they worship. - That I would look to Him alone for strength and peace amidst the “storm.” - HOS needs to buy a van (or a large vehicle) to be able to take the women and babies to the places they need to go (store, hospital, DRs, etc.). Pray God would provide the funding as well as a divine opportunity to do so. - Some pretty serious riots are taking place in Bangkok right now and several people have already lost their life. Pray for safety and peace and that this Nation would not only come together, but would experience God to the fullness as well! HAPPY NEW YEAR!! :D May 2014 be a blessed year filled with abundant love and joy!
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March 2014
Support:If you would like to financially support me or HOS, you can go online and give:
https://www.egsnetwork.com/gift/gift.php?giftid=535530DBD93C42E OR, you can send a check (with Shannon Halloran #1010 on the memo line) to: CORD Ministries International P.O. Box 102 Wheaton, IL 60187-0102 * All Tax deductible gift* Questions: Director of CORD Ministries Michael Ullrich (303)-994-4754 [email protected]
Links:Family Connection Foundation:
http://www.thaiconnections.org/ Home of the Swallow: http://www.thaiconnections.org/fcf/home-of-the-swallow Cord Ministries International: http://cordmin.com/wp/ |