Dear friends, family & slavery abolitionists,
We very much enjoyed meeting so many new people at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) last week and I apologize it's taken me a week or so to respond, especially to those of you who signed up to volunteer. For those of you who submitted your 'One Thing' to be said on behalf of the victims, THANK YOU! The university event evaluations revealed the they LOVED hearing from YOU and it was my honor to be your voice.
FGCU's Student Abolitionist Movement has invited me back to speak for 90 minutes on March 25th 5:30-7pm & we couldn't be more pleased with how the week of events went. My self portrait of Jesus holding me, Rescued: Saved by Grace & In His Grip, was placed front & center of the Not For Sale presentation the first night featuring David Bastone. How cool was that?! We had a freshman student approach me after the second evening I spoke that is a survivor of domestic minor sex trafficking that we've embraced and are now working with.
We currently have 4 women in restoration residential programs and are assisting 4 others in higher education pursuits through the Rahab's Hope Fund, not to mention the 40-50 women I work with weekly in addition to numerous men that Steve is working with that have or currently are struggling with porn addiction. We also are working with victims of human trafficking that have been incarcerated. We're blessed to see their growth weekly and are hopeful they will have the courage needed to become key witnesses to bring about the prosecution of their perpetrators.
I was interviewed twice last week with MSNBC for a documentary they are doing on sex trafficking and the Healing Today Show ran their 30 minute interview with me Monday. You can view it on our YouTube channel.
We are amazed at the open doors & exposure of BFA that God has provided so early in the year and are in desperate need of help with managing what God has entrusted to us. We have plenty of areas in which you can serve, including the following:
Administrative
Internet/Social Networking
Gift Assembly/Shopping
Cooking
Outreach
Event Coordination
Case Management
Mentoring
Babysitting
We have TEAM MEETINGS the first Saturday of each month, that include inventorying beauty supply donations (from an national company/chain). We will have one this Saturday, February 6th from 9am - noon.
Additionally, we will be having a NEW VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION MEETING combined with our Valentine's gift assembly on Monday, February 8th 5:30 - 8:30 (dinner included).
Every Monday from 5:30 - 8:30 we have a BIBLE STUDY that includes dinner. We currently are studying Rick Warren's Life's Healing Choices and will resume the 2nd week of the curriculum on February 15th.
Please RSVP attending as I need to know a head count & have to call in visitors to the guard house in the gated community we meet inside of. Address and directions will be provided when you RSVP.
Our next STRIP CLUB OUTREACH is Saturday, February 13th 7-10pm. If you can prepare a dish, please contact me. We have the entree covered (beef stroganoff...thanks Donna!) and are in need of a salad, bread and dessert. We typically serve 20-25 people. We also have an outreach on February 27th we'll need comfort food prepared for.
If you can't make the upcoming meeting(s) and are still interested in serving along side us, please contact me.
If you can't give of your time and want to give financially, we are still offering our Child of God CD for a minimum donation of $35 plus $5 shipping as a way to say thank you. To give online securely online, CLICK HERE or send cash, check or money order to 5100 S. Cleveland Avenue, Suite 318-148, Fort Myers, FL 33907.
FREEDOM SUNDAY:
On February 21, 2010, churches around the world will be praying for those held captive in honor of the first ever Freedom Sunday. Please join in this worldwide day of reflection by preaching about the freedom Jesus brings, singing songs of redemption. For more information on this Not For Sale event CLICK HERE
If you're interested in scheduling myself and/or our team to speak or exhibit at your church, meeting or event, please contact us at booking@beautyfromashes.org or call 239.939.9218. Remember, awareness leads to intervention & prevention of human slavery!
I look forward to hearing from you and partnering together to reach, rescue & restore victims of sex trafficking. Together we are better and are making difference!
In His lavish love & fire,
Pastor Julie Shematz & the FREEdom™ Team
Beauty From Ashes™ Ministries
Where Victims Become Over-Comers
239.939.9218
877.4BFA SOS (423.2767) International Toll Free Help Line
www.BeautyFromAshes.org
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