I'm asking for your prayers. As you may be aware, I established Beauty From Ashes™ Ministries, Inc. in 2005, however I began doing strip club outREACHes in 2002. In 2002, there were less than 5 ministries world wide doing this type of unique ministry and to my knowledge, as of this month, there are more than 170 worldwide. (This simply AMAZES me!). When I started doing outREACHes in 2002, the words human trafficking were rarely ever heard of, yet God had called me to the front lines taking His Light into dark places....places that unfortunately, even with the raised awareness of human sex trafficking, to this day many cringe and don't understand why.
My passion then and still is to reach the lost with a message of hope that there was a way out and in providing resources for the transition out of the sex for sale industry, something, by the grace of God I was able to do in 2002. In 2010, after experiencing care taker, second hand trauma, I enrolled in graduate school at Florida Gulf Coast University. God used the experience as a catalyst to set me on the course of being professionally trained how to work with the marginalized populace He gave me a passion to assist in the journey to healing and wholeness.
In addition to developing and overseeing the operations, >30 programs and services, staff, volunteers, and board of Beauty From Ashes™ Ministries (BFA), I've been a full time student since 2010. Working hard, following God's leading, I committed myself to developing best practices, professional, models for ministry to sex workers, the sexually abused, sex trafficked, and wounded people.
My quest in acquiring a Master of Arts degree in Mental Health Counseling is FINALLY coming to an end. I completed my last class of this semester yesterday and I only have 1 paper, 1 semester [2 more classes, (including 6 weeks of classes 5 days a week), a total 10 weeks], and a comprehensive exit exam (May 6th) before the August 4th, 2013 graduation. Additionally, I will be leading, for the 9th year, BFA's National Sex Industry OutREACH and AfterCARE training July 17-20 at Barry University in Fort Myers, FL.
I am firm believer in prayer. It's what Beauty From Ashes™ Ministries was founded on and has been maintained on. It's very rarely that I ever seek a personal request, but I am asking those who support the mission and vision of BFA through intercessory prayer, to please lift me up in prayer as I enter the final stretch to acquiring my master's degree. Without going into all the details, there have been an enormous amount of unexpected challenges I've faced as I've entered into the final months of finishing graduate school. As I have sought the Lord's direction in what seems like an overwhelming amount of work, critical decisions, and volume of studying, He has quietly and confidently reminded me of His word:
I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who [infuses inner strength into me; I am [self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency]. Philippians 4:13 AMP
I know that what is impossible with man, is possible with God (Matthew 19:26). I know that the challenges I am facing in the final stretch are not a surprise to my Father, even though they have been to me. He's empowered me with the ability to overcome and I am confident these challenges are no exception. I also know the power of my brothers and sisters interceding for me and holding my arms up in the heaven lies. Your prayers for me, the ministries, and clients of Beauty From Ashes™ are coveted and greatly appreciated for such a time as this. Thank you.
Seeking to finish strong.
In His love and committed service,
Julie Shematz
Founder and Executive Director
