March ePrayer Alert

Beauty From Ashes™ Ministries (BFA) deeply appreciates every prayer said on behalf of the staff, interns, volunteers and clients!  We are so honored to have the privilege to serve the Lord and His children in Florida and beyond, and we have no doubt that the Lord responds as we call out to Him.  We see Him continue to move and work in ways that are humanly unexplainable, as He persists in lavishing His love on all of us and bringing restoration and redemption to women wounded through s*xual abuse, exploitation and trafficking. Thank you for your continuous and faithful prayers! 

CLIENTS:  We can't begin to express what a joy it is to see women become fully alive in Christ as they not only recognize, but also believe who they are in Him.  Every single day we have the honor of walking alongside women who are rebuilding their lives, and this is an honor we don't take lightly.  Please continue to pray that as the women continue their walk with Christ, they are able to let Him in to even the deepest of wounds.  Pray that things the enemy would want them to hold on to, like pain, bitterness, rejection and feelings of worthlessness are replaced by the Lord's truth of healing, forgiveness, acceptance and value. 
       

OUTREACHES:  Last month we began a new weekly outREACH to women being prostituted near our new Therapy/Resource Center, and we have been amazed at how the Lord is using it to draw women to Him! Please keep our daily social media, weekly street and Grace outreaches in your prayers, in addition to our monthly strip club outREACHes.
          

PROGRAMS & SERVICES:  The basis of everything we do is the love of the Lord.  And through His love, we are able to offer resources, meeting needs that are both holistic and practical.  We currently have over 30 programs and services that we offer free of charge to the community.  Please pray all of our work would be with the intent of serving and taking His hope and truth to a broken world.  Pray for wisdom to know what programs to maintain, the development of new programs, and also the discernment to recognize if a program needs to be adjusted or eliminated, based on the objective of serving women as best as possible. 
   

CURRENT NEEDS:  Pray that our need for client and horse sponsorships, as well as gas, bus passes, pharmacy cards, and baby items for clients. Agree with us that all our monthly needs be met according to God's perfect will and timing.  For a complete list of our needs, CLICK HERE.  

EQUINE FACILITY:  We continue to be thrilled at the opportunity to offer equine-assisted learning and mentorship to both the women we serve and their families.  Please pray for wisdom in all things related to the equine facility, and that it continues to be a way for individuals and groups to see the beauty of the Lord's creation while also providing an evidence based treatment to address many of the mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical challenges they face.  Pray also that the health of our therapy horses be strong and protected.  

FUNDING:  We are thankful and grateful for every single way the Lord continues to provide.  Whether financially, spiritually, materially or physically, the Lord promises to meet all of our needs.  Please pray that our annual $75,000 budget would be met by pledges and giving within the next couple of months.  We are very grateful that we currently have over $40,000 in pledges.  Agree with us for the annual budget to be fulfilled so that our staff can concentrate on serving our clients rather than fund raising.
   

PARTNERSHIPS:  Partnerships are crucial for any kind of work related to helping people in need, and we are so thankful for the partnerships we have formed since BFA began.  Please pray for our current partnerships; for unity and trust, confidence and respect on all sides.  Pray we would serve each other with integrity and honor.  Please pray for wisdom when we seek out new partnerships and for discernment to know which partnerships to pursue.
     

EVENTS:  Pray for the missions conferences and speaking engagements in which we have been invited to participate, including all the details of planning and coordinating them.  May each representative of BFA speak with clarity, purpose, and mission as we raise awareness about modern day slavery and the operations of BFA as a grass roots, victim-centered, front line community service agency.

VOLUNTEERS & INTERNS:  It is amazing to see how the Lord calls forth women to offer their time and talents towards the work of BFA.  We are thankful for every person who has assisted BFA this year already.  We know how critical it is to have interns and volunteers help BFA maintain the programs and services we are able to offer.  Please pray for the Lord to bring additional workers and that women will feel a stirring to become a part of what the Lord is doing through BFA.

   

STAFF:  Pray for our Founder and Executive Director, Julie Shematz, as she continues in her last year of full time graduate school.  She is commuting over 600 miles a week to complete a college internship in mental health counseling specializing in equine therapy and psychotherapy.  Pray her strength would be renewed each day and that she would be protected from illness.  Pray that our Program Manager, Christa Hicks, would maintain balance and priorities as well.  May both their marriages and families be strong and protected.   Pray that each woman have a hunger and thirst for the Word and for intimacy with God.  Agree with us that they each spend quality time daily with the Lord so that they can do all that they have been destined to do. 

DIRECTORS & ADVISORS:  Pray for a spirit of motivation, unity, and harmony among each Advisor and Director.  Continue to pray that God would pour out His blessings on each member of our executive and advisory boards.  Agree with us that their health, family, and resources be protected.

OTHER LIKE MINISTRIES/AGENCIES:  Please pray that the level of professionalism and delivery of services would be raised by adult entertainment/s*x industry/s*x trafficking ministries.  Pray that new ministries will take the time to be trained and equipped in order that clients and ministries would be protected from harm.  Pray for unity among all organizations; collectively much more work can be accomplished than if we all try to work separately.  Pray for protection in every way: physically, spiritually, mentally, emotionally.  Pray for every need to be met and for trust in the Lord's timing as each organization and ministry seeks out His will.  

       

WEEKLY GLOBAL PRAYER:  Please join us each Friday from 8-9am EST to intercede for victims of s*xual exploitation, s*x slavery, & s*x trafficking, as well as the agencies servicing them.  CLICK HERE for Prayer Guide.  Locally, we meet at our Resource/Therapy Center in central Fort Myers.

PRAYER REQUESTS:  Send us your prayer requests by CLICKING HERE

MONTHLY ePRAYER SIGN UP:  CLICK HERE

BFA eNEWSLETTER:  CLICK HERE to view our latest eNews and sign up to receive them in the future.

For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 ASV

On behalf of Julie Shematz, the Beauty From Ashes™ FREEdom™ Team, and clients, thank you for your continued prayers surrounding this ministry. 

In His love and service,

Beauty From Ashes™ Ministries  

Where Victims Become Over-Comers

"Survivors must be leaders in the development of services, shelter, and response protocols to s*x trafficking.” 
- National Report on Domestic Minor S*x Trafficking

AWARENESS & PREVENTION • REACH & RESCUE • TEACH & DEMONSTRATE • TRAIN & SEND

(239) 939-9218 | TOLL FREE HELP LINE:  877 4BFA SOS (877) 423-2767 PHYSICAL ADDRESS;  2701 Cleveland Ave. Ste 120 Fort Myers | FL | 33901 | USA MAILING ADRESS:  13300 South Cleveland Avenue, Suite 56-623 Fort Myers | 33907 www.BeautyFromAshes.org