FREEdom™ Home for the Holidays

Dear Family, Friends & Partners,

It's that time of the year again with less than 12 days before Christmas. It has always been a very special time of year for Beauty From Ashes, and this year has been exceptionally wonderful.

Thanks to your support, Beauty From Ashes was able to raise $735 for the women's New Life Dream Center through our jewelry sale and because of your generous donations, we have been able to give hundreds of dollars worth of basic care needs, bibles, journals, clothes and beauty supplies to the ladies residing there.

Additionally, we were able to assemble 50 Christmas gift bags for our 6th annual strip club outreaches that include the following items: 3 forms of the Word: Bibles, CDs & DVDs, along with purses, makeup kits, hair & nail products & jewelry. We will be delivering them to our adopted club Thursday, December 17, along with a homemade meal of lasagna, spinach salad, garlic bread and delicious deserts. We also plan on delivering them to another local club that Pastor Julie met the owner at the AVN porn expo. Delivery date TBD. We are able to do this because of YOU and your faithfulness in supporting us. Thank you!

While we have worked very hard to support other restoration programs over the past 7 years, the time has come that we need assistance for what God has entrusted to us. He has opened the doors of which we've dreamed and need your help now more than ever. It is with great joy that we are finally able to establish our own safehome for victims of sex trafficking! Due to our community partnerships with law enforcement and outreach abilities to attract victims, we already have a waiting list of survivors needing to be placed in our first FREEdom™ Home. Residents are due to begin moving in this week, and we anticipate a full home for Christmas. To God be all the glory for the great things He has done!

In the mean time, below is a list of items we are in urgent need of:

SAFEHOME

Set of bunk beds

Twin Size Sheets

Plastic Hangers

Dresser

Floor lamp

Walmart Gift Cards (For food, clothes, pharmaceutical, etc.)

You can give your tax deductible gift of love securely online HERE or contact us to provide these items directly to us.

Your gift will restore physical, emotional, and spiritual health to rescued girls by providing them things like safe shelter, medical care, nutritious food, vocational training, compassionate counseling, and where possible, reintegration with a loving family.

Receive the Beauty From Ashes' Child of God 10 song CD when you donate $35 or more to the FREEdom™ Homes Fund.

OFFICE SPACE

Literally, we have received such a blessing that we cannot contain it anymore! (Malachi 3:10) Beauty From Ashes is in desperate need of a larger space for our offices and art studio. We would consider a residential home for this as it will also provide much needed housing for our staff. If you or someone you know have available home or space, please contact us ASAP.

VOLUNTEER TRAINING

God is answering our prayers & sending in laborers; however, many more are needed. We are having a Reach, Rescue & Restore Victims of Commercialized Sexual Exploitation & Human Trafficking Training, Tuesday, December 15th 6-9pm. We also have need of help in the following areas:

Administrative

Accounting

Shopping

Gift Assembly

Prayer

If you are interested in joining our FREEdom™ Team, please contact us.

We are seeking community partnerships with churches, business's, organizations and individuals that will join with us for ongoing support. God has stretched our tent pegs and territory for such a time as this. We cannot do this alone and need you, your church, your small group, organization &/or business to come along side us to assist in reaching, rescuing & restoring the lives of precious orphans that have become victims of sex slavery. Will you help us and consider doing a fundraiser and/or have us come to your organization to do an awareness presentation on human trafficking? Committing to monthly support or one time giving in any amount will enable us to do that which God anointed us to do.

Time is of the essence, every minute 2 children are being forced into prostitution world-wide and it is estimated that 100,000 - 300,000 minors a year are being forced into child sex slavery every year here in the USA. Less than 2 months ago, the FBI rescued 62 females from the horrific nightmare of sex slavery and none of the 52 minor victims are receiving the help experts say is necessary to overcome such trauma and rejoin society. READ STORY The need is great for restoration homes and we have stepped up to the plate to make a difference. We need your help. Will you lock arms with us as slavery abolitionists? We can make a difference one life at a time this Christmas.

In Him & His passion to see victims become over-comers,

Pastor Julie, Steve & 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

Christmas Gifts With Purpose

You are buying Christmas gifts, so why not

use your buying power

to combat human trafficking & have purpose?

HANDMADE JEWELRY

Necklaces, bracelets and earrings handmade by an over-comer and donated to BFA as 'seed'. We are sewing it ALL into the fertile ground of the Women's New Life Dream Center by selling the one of a kind pieces at Word of Life Church (2120 Collier Avenue, Fort Myers, FL 33901) starting tonite and during all services (Fridays 7:30 & Sundays 8am & 10am). If you're in the area, stop by and use your buying power to support the 26+ year restoration, residential program that currently has 50 women, 2 teens (one pregnant) and 4 babies. While you're there, stay for the services and experience an encounter with the Lover of your soul!

CHILD OF GOD CD

With your giving of at least $30 (+ $5 shipping & handling), we'll send you our private label 10 song CD filled with inspirational music that is guaranteed to move you deeply into a closer relationship with our Creator. Featuring our theme song, Child of God, produced by Music for the Soul, this gift is the gift that will keep on giving each time you listen to it. To order CLICK HERE.

CHILDREN'S GIFTS

As you consider the perfect Christmas gift for your children, grandchildren, or church’s children’s ministry this holiday we highly recommend Music for the Little Soul. Created by Dove Award winning songwriters Music for the Little Soul is all of the most beloved Bible stories in song. Also included are 15 lullabies, 30 Christmas songs, and lots of great new Praise & Worship just for kids.

This 164 song set is only $49.95 - that’s ten full length albums for only 31 cents a song! – and comes with instrumental tracks to all of the songs so your Sunday school or home school group can perform them! 328 tracks in all! An amazing value!!! Or buy just Vol. 1 or Vol. 2 – five albums - for just $29.95! To order or to hear samples and preview the lyrics just CLICK HERE

TOGETHER WE ARE BETTER & ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE!

Pastor Julie Shematz & the FREEdom™ Team

BEAUTY FROM ASHES

Our mission is to prevent, rescue and restore victims of sex trafficking.

Our purpose is to educate the community, advocate for the victims, implement reach, rescue and restore programs and provide safe homes where they can go to heal emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually. These are homes where victims receive comfort, security, safety, love and learn to become over-comers.

Beauty From Ashes™ Ministries, Inc.

Where Victims Become Over-Comers

239.939.9218

877.4BFA SOS (423.2767) International Toll Free Help Line

www.BeautyFromAshes.org

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

National Human Trafficking Crisis

I've been out of a life-long nightmare of sexual abuse, trafficking at the hands of my birth-mother, prostitution, and shame since the fall of 2007. But, I never thought anyone would understand or care to know my story and the pain and redemption I've experienced. I believed I was alone. I have literally been told by Christian leaders that I was not welcome in their churches or lives because of my past.

Finding Beauty for Ashes and gaining a mentor like Julie meant the difference between walking in the fullness of God's plan for my life or going back to the shadows I had grown accustomed to. In the team of Beauty From Ashes, I finally have a family who know me as Sarah* and make me feel like I really can do all things through Christ; love truly is redeeming my life. Through BFA's support, I am truly seeing God's word come alive because He has a plan and has given me hope and a future so much greater than my past.

The vision that God has given Beauty From Ashes for the FREEdom™ Children's Home is vital to rescuing children trapped in darkness like I was and restoring what the evil of the world has stripped them of: dignity and worth and a sense of feeling like you belong somewhere. One of the deepest cries of my heart since being prostituted at the age of 6 was for a safe home and to have a family. Safety and placing the orphan in a family is the heart and intention of our Father God, and FREEdom™ Children's Homes need to be a reality and soon. - Sarah*

Currently, the United States of America provides federal funding only for illegal immigrants of human trafficking; millions of dollars has gone to a 'victim assistance' organizations that have no residential housing in addition to only supporting short term (30 - 90 days) assistance.

It is estimated that a minor female sex trafficking victim is raped for profit 8-30 times a day & the average age of a prostituted person in the USA is 12-14. They need long term residential & restoration assistance. It is estimated that 300,000 minors a year are being forced into prostitution right here in the land of the 'Free'. 90% of runaways & throwaways will be lured into prostitution within 48 hours & 100% in 3 days. We have a national crisis on our hands. These are our citizens & our orphans.

We are on the front lines working, with individuals like Dr. Laura Lederer & the Triple S (Stop Sex Slavery) Network in Washington, to change this discombobulated funding stream. However, until the funding is worked out to provide assistance to the organizations that are actually reaching, rescuing & restoring the victims of human trafficking, private donor's support are crucial to doing something about our national problem. It's our problem, they are our residents, our children & they are victims of rape for profit in every neighborhood in the land of the 'Free', which the national report on domestic minor sex trafficking revealed in July of this year.

To view the Healing Today Show television interview sharing my testimony, the problem of human trafficking in our back yards & the vision of the FREEdom™ Children's Home, click HERE. (What I consider to be the most thorough & my best interview ever :+)

Currently, Beauty From Ashes, in partnership with the New Life Dream Center, are providing restoration care to 45 women, three teens (one pregnant...who we found out today that DCF has offered a full ride, 4 year college scholarship to, due to her outstanding progress with us! She wants to be an ICE agent & rescue other minors & women from human trafficking!) & 3 children in addition to over 80 men who were once johns, pimps &/or sex addicts. Local & federal law enforcement as well as other sex industry/anti-trafficking organizations from across the nation have placed women in our safe home. It's estimated that nearly half the females receiving love, care, education, life skills & basic needs are human trafficking victims, yet we've not received any federal allocated funds for victim assistance. Less than 5% of the residents have a means of support for their recovery & it costs an enormous amount of money to clothe, feed, house, counsel & provide basic services to these people.

Beauty From Ashes is providing case management services to these victims including tutoring, private & home schooling curriculums, medical & probation appointments, etc., in addition to weekly intervention initiatives to reach & rescue people bound in sex slavery.

We also plan on providing Christmas gifts to all the female residents due to the fact many of them have no family support. We have become their family. Additionally, we will be providing gifts and a holiday meal to the employees of the local strip club we have adopted & served for over 6 years.

Will you help us continue to reach, rescue, restore & advocate for the rights of children, men & women like Sarah* & the others? We need your help financially.

As a show of appreciation for your giving, for a minimum donation of $30, we will give you our 1st private label CD, Child of God produced by Music for the Soul. It is a compilation of inspirational songs that lead you through the journey of what a victim of sex trafficking faces to find the reality of hope, healing & restoration through Jesus Christ. It is guaranteed to move you deeply and inspire you into a deeper, loving relationship with your Creator.

Please join with us today to abolish slavery in the United States of America & assist us in setting the captives free to be all that God destined and purposed them to be. Together we are better & can make a difference!

You can give securely online by clicking HERE or send cash, check or money order to Beauty From Ashes to 5100 S. Cleveland Avenue, Suite 318-148, Fort Myers, FL 33907.

Thank you, may the Lord richly bless you as you give & Happy Thanksgiving from Steve, myself and the FREEdom™ Team!

*Name changed for confidentiality.

In His passion & love to see victims become over-comers,

Pastor Julie Shematz
Over-Comer, Founder & CEO

CSE & Trafficking Victim's FREEdom™ Story

Beauty From Ashes Child of God CD

Use your buying power to fight human slavery

in the United States of America!

Beauty From Ashes proudly presents

our 1st private label CD, Child of God,

produced by

Music for the Soul

featuring our theme song,

Child of God.

CLICK HERE to view video with song

She's not a prostitute,

she's a child of God

& she's beautiful!

100% of the proceeds will go to provide

specialized programs & restoration homes

for victims of commercialized sexual exploitation & trafficking.

The 10 song CD:

Child of God

Not Too Far From Here

Time For a Breakdown

Every Single Tear, Somebody's Daughter

Keep Breathing

In the Image of God

Binder of the Broken

No One Can Love Me Like You Do

Twenty Three

For minimum donation of $30 + $5 shipping.

To order: CLICK HERE

Give the Christmas gift that keeps on giving

& creates a climate of hope.

Child of God CD & More News

REACH & RESCUE:
Last week's strip club comfort meal outreach resulted in one dancer accepting Christ in the locker room & the team praying for nearly all employees. We served Thanksgiving dinner early with a delicious meal of turkey breast, buttery stuffing, spinach salad & yummy pumpkin cupcakes & tiny pies. The outreach ended early in order to facilitate housing in the New Life Dream Center for a minor human trafficking victim & her two infant children rescued by our county sheriff's department.

Street outreaches with Word of Life Church resulted in 31 names being added to the Lamb's Book of Life. All outreaches resulted in human trafficking tips for law enforcement.

We hit the streets every Wednesday & the 2nd Saturday of the month. Our next strip club outreach is December 17th. If you are interested in donating Christmas gift items; bibles, journals, children's toys, gift cards & bags or preparing meal items, etc., please contact us.

AWARENESS & TRAINING:
The 3 day Anti-Trafficking & Caregivers Hands That Heal Training began last Saturday & will go through the next two Saturdays 9am - 3pm @ Word of Life Church. You can drop in for these trainings & if all three are attended you can become certified to be a trainer of trainers for FAAST (Faith Alliance Against Slavery & Trafficking).

Pastor Julie attended the 8 hour RCPI Human Trafficking Training sponsored by the Lee County Sheriff's Department Tuesday and has been invited to speak at FGCU's Human Trafficking Symposium in January 20-27.

If you are interested in hosting a training, raising awareness in your school, church or organization, please contact us. We can provide experienced speakers & over-comers to share their first hand & experiential knowledge regarding commercialized sexual exploitation and trafficking. Awareness is key to intervention & prevention of the 2nd largest crime in the world right now. Human trafficking is happening everywhere. We'll help you to learn, look & report. Together we can make a difference!

RESTORATION:
Currently the New Life Dream Center has 43 women, 2 teens (one pregnant) & 3 babies, in addition to approximately 80 men in the residential, recovery program/safe home. Less than 90% of the residents have the means to support the cost of keeping them there & we estimate that 1/2 the females are sex trafficking victims. They have been providing services to victims for over 26 years, including to former johns & pimps. With a 90% success rate with graduates, they have demonstrated they know what they are doing when it comes to recovery from commercialized sexual exploitation, human trafficking, sex addiction, domestic violence, drug & alcohol addiction. They need your help. Will you please consider giving today to help restore a life? For secure online giving: CLICK HERE

BEAUTY FROM ASHES CHILD OF GOD CD:
Use your buying power to fight human slavery! What better gift for Christmas than our 1st private label CD, Child of God, produced by Music for the Soul? 100% of the proceeds will go to provide specialized programs & homes for victims of commercialized sexual exploitation & trafficking. The 10 song CD: Child of God, Not Too Far From Here, Time For a Breakdown, Every Single Tear, Somebody's Daughter, Keep Breathing, In the Image of God, Binder of the Broken, No One Can Love Me Like You Do & Twenty Three is available for minimum donation of $30 + $5 shipping. To order: CLICK HERE

BEAUTY FROM ASHES INTERNSHIPS:
Partnering with Word of Life Church's Intern Program, Seizing the Final Victory (STFV), we are offering internship opportunities. We are also in need of housing for these world changers. If you are interested, please contact Pastor Julie.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
Beauty From Ashes is in need of assistance in the following areas: bookkeeping, administration, websites/social networking, picking up & inventorying beauty supply donations, meal preparation & gift assembly for outreaches. Join our FREEdom™ Team and become a sex slavery abolitionist! Contact Pastor Julie for details.

PRAYER REQUESTS:
We care about you & have a team of intercessors that pray for you. Please send your requests to: prayer@beautyfromashes.org

GLOBAL WEEKLY PRAYER:
Join us & other slavery abolitionists every Friday 8-9am EST to pray for the victims of commercialized sexual exploitation, human trafficking & the organizations reaching, rescuing & restoring them. Prayer Guide: CLICK HERE

Thank you for your love, encouragement & support. Because of you, we are together making a difference one life at a time. We love & appreciate you.

In His love & passion to see victims become over-comers,

Pastor Julie & the FREEdom™ Team

Reach, Rescue, Restoration, Awareness, Prevention & Care-Giver Training

THE #1 DESTINATION FOR AMERICANS TO HAVE SEX WITH CHILDREN IS THE USA:
Watch this informative documentary clip, Playground, and become informed. Awareness is the first step to combating this national crisis, it will lead to intervention & prevention. Together, we can make a difference! CLICK HERE

OUTREACHES:
In an effort to reach victims of commercialized sexual exploitation & sex trafficking, we do street & strip club outreaches weekly & monthly, respectively. This past week 8 individuals gave their hearts to Jesus on the streets during the Word of Life Church Food Mobile Outreach. We also were able to educate & bring awareness about sex trafficking to individuals living in one of the lowest income areas of Fort Myers in addition to distributing food & clothing to over 40 families.

AWARENESS, PREVENTION & CARE-GIVING:
Beauty From Ashes will be presenting the Hands that Heal Anti-trafficking & Caregivers Training November 14, 21 & 28th from 9am - 3pm at Word of Life Church, on the campus of the New Life Dream Center. Registration & cost of materials required. For more information: CLICK HERE

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
Beauty From Ashes is in need of assistance in the following areas: bookkeeping, administration, websites/social networking, picking up & inventorying beauty supply donations, meal preparation & gift assembly for outreaches. Join our FREEdom™ Team and become a sex slavery abolitionist! Contact Julie for details.

BEAUTY FROM ASHES INTERNSHIPS
Partnering with Word of Life Church's Intern Program, Seizing the Final Victory (STFV), we are offering internship opportunities. We are also in need of housing for these world changers. If you are interested, please contact Pastor Julie.

WATCH THE 91.5 Kingdom FM JULIE SHEMATZ & PASTOR GASPAR ANASTASI INTERVIEW for the God Has the Answer Today Show: CLICK HERE

RESTORATION:
Currently we have numerous women, including a pregnant teen, we are assisting in providing care to. Their urgent needs have ranged from basic hygiene items, underwear, medicine, bibles & clothing to school supplies & home school curriculum. Pastor Julie is teaching the teen 5 days a week due to her assessment levels being grade levels 1-3. Because of your love & generous giving, we are able to be Christ's hands & feet to these precious individuals.

We need your help financially to continue to provide for victims of sex trafficking and the innocent children in their care. Will you please prayerfully considering giving a gift of love for desperate girls & women? Please give as you are able & thank you for your continued support, prayers & encouragement. You can give securely online HERE or send your check, cash or money order to 5100 S. Cleveland Avenue, Ste 318-148, Fort Myers, FL 33907.

Lastly, please agree with us that the captives be set free & prisoners released in the name of Jesus. Whom the Son sets free is free indeed! May they receive the revelation of who God is, how much He loves them & who they are in Him in order that they may walk in the fullness of all He destined them to be!

In His love & passion to see victims become over-comers,
Steve, Julie & 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

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

#1 Destination for American's having sex with children is America

Do You Know Me?

ICE Gives Voices To Victims of Human Trafficking in the United States

Happy Reformation Day!

As the world celebrates Halloween, it is sad to see how many Christians are joining in, participating in this decidedly un-Christian observance. Merely looking at the decorations and activities which are inspired by it should be enough to tell a follower of Christ that they are not to partake. The holiday is a celebration of death, darkness and horror, with central symbols being tombstones, witches and the undead. Some of the more outrageous celebrants will even have fun with the imagery of serial killers, cannibalism and other abominations to God and society at large. Certain theme parks even have special events that are so graphic and intense that they warn that children shouldn't come to them during this time. Truly this is a dark time of year.

This should not really surprise us, as the origin of Halloween was the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, the last day of the year for that culture. The belief was that Samhain, the Lord of Death, gathered the souls of the evil dead at this time and the veil between the spirit world and our world became thin, allowing spirits to pass between them. They marked it with ritual sacrifices and disguising themselves with masks. The druids who presided over these religious festivals are recorded in ancient writings as performing human sacrifices, observing the manner in which the body fell and the blood flowed for the purpose of divining the future. The divination of the future was a central part of the ancient festival of Samhain, and the whole history of the holiday is pagan at best and at worst, satanic.

The practice of divination alone, much less human sacrifice is clearly forbidden all through the scripture, but what is not a widely known is Ezekiel 13:18 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Woe to the women who sew magic charms on their sleeves and make veils for the heads of people of every height to hunt souls! Will you hunt the souls of My people, and keep yourselves alive? Veils for the people of every height, that sort of sounds like masks for children and adults alike, doesn't it? And what is the purpose? For the hunting of souls. By willingly participating in the activities of Halloween, Christian parents are not only exposing their children to a celebration of all things dark and demonic, but they are actually opening doors to invite these influences, ideas and even the spirits behind them into their homes, their lives and even their souls. Please, don't let your child be one of the victims of this powerful tool of satanic propaganda and compromise.

Well then, what should a Christian do on Halloween? Well, God is so amazingly good that He has graciously given us something else to celebrate on this day. Several centuries ago, on October 31, something important, no, something essential to all of Christianity happened. It was on this date in 1517 that Martin Luther took the Catholic Church to task for its unbiblical practices. He had been appalled and disgusted by the practice of selling indulgences (basically paying for your sins in advance, but with real money) and the lifeless religion he saw. He knew the Bible and he saw in it that it was not gold that gets you to heaven, it's not belonging to a church, and it is not even regular confession of your sins to a priest. No, he saw that salvation comes by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone and His shed blood on the cross of Calvary. He was moved by God to nail his famous 95 theses to the door of the castle in Wittenburg, Germany and it just happened to be on October 31.

So, what do you do when someone says 'Happy Halloween'? Well, you could tell them that there is nothing happy about a day celebrating devils, demons, death, destruction and everything that is evil and unholy. But at the very least, you can tell them that you don't celebrate Halloween, because something much more important happened on this day in history. This is the day that God chose to return His church to the truth of His word and the simple Gospel of Jesus Christ. That He loves them and gave His life for them and if they will simply believe and repent then they will be saved. Then wish them a Happy Reformation Day. FREEdom™ is calling.

Steve Shematz
President of Beauty From Ashes

************************
CALLING ALL SWFL SLAVERY ABOLITIONISTS:
Beauty From Ashes will be presenting the Hands that Heal Anti-trafficking & Caregivers Training November 14, 21 & 28th from 9am - 3pm at Word of Life Church, on the campus of the New Life Dream Center. Registration & cost of materials required. For more information: CLICK HERE

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
Beauty From Ashes is in need of assistance in the following areas: bookkeeping, administration, websites/social networking, picking up & inventorying beauty supply donations, meal preparation & gift assembly for outreaches. Join our FREEdom™ Team and become a sex slavery abolitionist! Contact Julie for details.

WATCH THE 10/12/09 91.5 Kingdom FM JULIE SHEMATZ & PASTOR GASPAR ANASTASI INTERVIEW for the God Has the Answer Today Show: CLICK HERE
Pastor Gaspar Anastasi, founder of the New Life Dream Center & Word of Life Ministries, interviews Julie Shematz, founder of Beauty From Ashes Ministries. Julie shares her dynamic testimony of how she was rescued out of the sex industry and they discuss how they work together to abolish modern day slavery. BFA has been working to reach, rescue, restore and advocate for victims of human trafficking for 5 years and the New Life Dream Center has been doing it for 26+ years. This interview was taped for the God Has The Answer Today Radio Program on October 6, 2009, the 7th anniversary of Julie's public re-dedication to Christ after she left the commercial sex industry.

Thank you for your continued support, prayers & encouragement. Together we are better & are making a difference! Please agree with us that the captives be set free & prisoners released in the name of Jesus. Whom the Son sets free is free indeed! May they receive the revelation of who God is, how much He loves them & who they are in Him in order that they may walk in the fullness of all He destined them to be!

Happy Reformation Day!

In His love & passion to see victims become over-comers,

Julie Shematz & the FREEdom™ Team
Founder & CEO
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

Slavery Abolitionists: Gaspar Anastasi & Julie Shematz

Become a Sex Slavery Abolitionist

We at Beauty From Ashes are sex slavery abolitionists. Human trafficking is human slavery. At the peak of the slavery trade, 80,000 people a year were being transported. In 2009, an estimated 800,000 a year are being considered slaves. 80% of that human trafficking is sex trafficking.

In an effort to restore these victims, we have placed them and have been providing basic care items to women & a pregnant teen in the New Life Dream Center, a safe/recovery home here in Fort Myers, FL. Currently, none of these residents we placed are able to provide the monthly cost of $760 for their care & there are approximately 40+ women & teens living there, not to mention around 80 men in a separate facility. Overall, less than 10% have financial support to pay for their living expenses, however, no one is ever turned away due to an inability to pay.

We established the Rahab's Hope Fund to provide financial assistance to qualified applicants & all recipients have been sex trafficking or commercialized sexual exploitation victims. Below is a list of items we have provided to New Life Dream Center residents in the past month and/or need to provide in the near future:

PERSONAL ITEMS:
Toiletries: soap, tooth brushes, tooth paste, lotion, deodorant, razors, etc.
Hair products; shampoo, conditioner, hair spray, styling products, etc.
Mini pads
Tampons
Kleenex
Tylenol/Ibuprofen
Make up
Perfume

MEDICAL:
Topical ointments
Over the counter STD treatments

CLOTHING:
Bras
Underwear (no thongs; sizes 7 - 14)
Pajamas
Robes
Maternity: Size 14 pants, 42D bra
House slippers
Shoes: Sizes 7.5 - 10
Dresses
Skirts
Pants

SCHOOL SUPPLIES:
Notebooks
Pencils, markers & pens
Pencil sharpener
Text books ($10 - $18)
Work books ($10 - $23)
Sketch pads
Clock
Play Money Kit ($18)
Folders
Journals
Chalk

BIBLES:
Adolescent Bible ($30)
Life Application NLT Study Bibles ($40 a piece)

EDUCATION:
PACE Curriculum Grades 1-4 ($100)
ABEKA Home School Curriculum ($1045 a grade level)

MISCELLANEOUS:
Calling Cards
Walmart Gift Cards
Twin Bed Sheets
Drinking Glasses

We do this in addition to facilitating doctor appointments, working with probation, immigration, law enforcement, the county school system, judges, home schooling, coordinating with attorneys and other non governmental agencies in order to provide recovery assistance to these victims. We also provide support to family members of victims and by means of our website & social networking reach thousands daily. We also do weekly & monthly outreaches on the streets & in strip clubs of Fort Myers, which also costs money. We distribute gift bags that include the Word of God either written, spoken or in video & contact information, in addition to beauty supplies, gift items, etc. Monthly, we deliver & serve meals to the employees of our local adopted club, which typically costs around $100 an outreach.

In the past week, between the street & club outreaches, 34 people received Christ as their Lord & Savior and many other were prayed for in the following areas; finances, deliverance, healing, restoration, strength, courage, faith, etc.

Beauty From Ashes is also presenting the Hands that Heal Anti-trafficking & Caregivers Training November 14, 21 & 28th from 9am - 3pm at Word of Life Church, on the campus of the New Life Dream Center. Registration & cost of materials required. For more information: CLICK HERE

We need your help financially to replenish the funds used in order for us to continue to reach, rescue, restore, advocate, raise awareness & educate on commercialized sexual exploitation & trafficking. Will you please consider giving what you can today & help make the difference in a precious child's or woman's life?

We can all talk, read books, tweet, attend seminars, workshops & conferences on human trafficking until we are blue in the face, but until we are willing to take action, nothing is getting done. Fact is, most action takes money & restoration costs a lot of money! Beauty From Ashes has been working to reach, rescue & restore these victims for over 5 years & the New Life Dream Center been providing restoration services for over 26. Please consider becoming a slavery abolitionist (doesn't that sound cool?!) by giving a tax deductible donation today and/or become a Purpose Partner by committing to Beauty From Ashes by giving monthly. For every dollar you give, we'll give 10% to the New Life Dream Center directly, in addition to the items/services we provide for the victims recovering there!

To give securely online, CLICK HERE or send check, money order or cash to 5100 S. Cleveland Avenue, Suite 318-148, Fort Myers, FL 33907. For gift-in-kind donations, please contact me. Thank you for your generous giving! We can abolish slavery & restore lives one at a time.

Together we are better & are slavery abolitionists!

In His love & passion to see victims become over-comers,
Julie Shematz & the FREEdom™ Team
Co-Founder & CEO
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

The Altar of Sexual Adolatry & More News

The Altar of Sexual Idolatry

There is little disputing that one of the most effective tactics of the enemy is that of sexual immorality. Although our society and the world at large have gone to great lengths to not only excuse and condone, and even promote and glamorize lust, the Bible is clear that such behavior is sinful, deceptive and devastatingly destructive to those who indulge in it, as well as their families. Against this tsunami of iniquity, there are few voices crying out in the wilderness trying to reach the enthralled masses with the truth of God’s Word. One of these, certainly, one of the pioneers among these is Steve Gallagher. An over-comer of sexual sin himself, Gallagher founded Pure Life Ministries, a residential program for men who struggle with pornography and other forms of sexual addiction. It is from this perspective that, twenty years ago, he wrote At The Altar of Sexual Idolatry, a guidebook, a bible study, a battle plan to win the war each man faces with his own nature, the world and the enemy of his soul.

The first thing the author does, as you might expect, is show that sexual immorality is not just a ‘problem’ - it is sin it is not just a ‘lifestyle’ - it is idolatry. Anyone who is choosing to give themselves over to lust is rejecting the truth of the Bible. Someone who has continually made these decisions over a long period of time is not only trapped in the cycle of sin, but is often deceiving himself as to whether his actions are sins or not. He needs to gain a true perspective of the havoc his sins wreak on his life and his family’s, as well as on his eternal destiny. Fortunately, the book does not just focus on what is wrong, but it also provides tools and strategies to help make it right and to keep it that way.

Although many self help books stress the importance of dealing with the past, this book reminds the reader of the need to deal with the present. It outlines the dangers of blaming others (parents, spouse, even God) for the issues within our own hearts. While highlighting these tendencies, it also gives the cure for them: the selfless love of God, the same love that held Jesus to the cross, which enables believers to die to their own selfish tendencies. The slow process of renewing one’s mind with the scripture is expounded on, as well as how to combat the pride that keeps us from recognizing and allowing the Lord to heal our issues.

The rest of the book is dedicated to an examination of the three enemies of our soul: the flesh, the world and the devil, as well as how to defeat them. The strategies given to foster victory in the life of the reader are true repentance and brokenness, a commitment to holiness empowered by the Holy Spirit, and the all important grace of God. The last of these is not just a feeling, but a force, not merely an abstraction, but an absolute that protects us, not from the consequences of our sin, but from the very act of sinning itself. And that is the ultimate objective of the book, not only to help people break free from habitual sexual sin, but to liberate them from the dominion of sin in all areas of their life. If you or someone you know is bound up by sexual sin, I don’t hesitate to recommend this powerful, thoroughly biblical, life-changing book and its companion workbook. You can be released from the slavery of sexual idolatry. Freedom is calling.

By Steve Shematz
President of Beauty From Ashes & Sexual Addiction Over-Comer

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OutREACHes to Victims of Commercialized Sexual Exploitation (CSE) in Fort Myers, FL:
STREET: Wednesday, October 21 9am-12pm
STRIP CLUB: Thursday, October 22 7-10pm

HUMAN TRAFFICKING IDENTIFICATION, INVESTIGATION & COLLABORATION:
Thursday, October 22 10am - 3:30pm • Florida Gulf Coast University/Union Ballroom

RESTORATION/SAFE HOME:
The New Life Dream Center is home to approximately 37 women, 2 teens (including one that is pregnant), an infant & 76 men. The highly successful program has been providing assistance to victims of commercialized sexual exploitation, domestic violence, sexual addiction & other life controlling problems for over 26 years with out any governmental assistance & the majority of the residents have no means of financial of support for their rehabilitation. Housing, feeding, clothing and providing essential care to broken people takes a lot of money, will you please consider donating today? For online giving, please CLICK HERE: or send your check made out to the New Life Dream Center to the address below.

ANTI-TRAFFICKING & CAREGIVER'S TRAINING:
November 14, 21 & 28 9-3pm, Fort Myers, FL • Registration Required • Limited Seating
The Faith Alliance Against Slavery and Trafficking (FAAST) anti-trafficking curriculum, Hands that Heal, is a comprehensive, Christian curriculum to train global caregivers who are front line providers of aftercare for women, children, and men that have been trafficked into the commercial sex industry. The curriculum is the result of a collaboration among more than 40 academicians and field practitioners from diverse backgrounds and organizations that address the needs of trafficked individuals. FAAST also developed Hands that Heal as a tool to inform and inspire churches, communities, organizations, and individuals around the world to engage in the battle against the injustice of human trafficking and to help equip them to provide transformational care to survivors.
PLEASE NOTE: Correction Community Based Curriculum is $35, not $25.
Academic Curriculum is $45 & Both are $75. For more information: CLICK HERE

WEEKLY GLOBAL PRAYER FOR CSE VICTIMS:
Please join us every Friday to pray for the victims as well as the organizations reaching, rescuing, restoring & advocating for these individuals. Prayer Guide: CLICK HERE

PRAYER REQUESTS: Email

TO SCHEDULE A CSE/SEX TRAFFICKING AWARENESS/TRAINING EVENT: Email

Thank you for your continued support & encouragement. Together we are making a difference!

In His love & passion to see victims become over-comers,
Pastor Julie Shematz & the FREEDom™ TEam

Beauty From Ashes
5100 S. Cleveland Ave., Ste. 318-148
Fort Myers, FL 33907

How Pimps Recruit Teens

HANDS THAT HEAL: Anti-Trafficking & Caregiver Training in Fort Myers, FL

80,000 slaves were transported a year during the peak slave trade
Currently 800,000 slaves are transported a year
Human Trafficking is Human Slavery
79% of Human Trafficking is Sex Trafficking

Sex trafficking is modern-day slavery in which people are exploited and sold in the commercial sex industry. Holistic care is necessary for traumatized survivors to find healing from their abuse and to learn the skills needed to succeed in beginning a new life.

The Faith Alliance Against Slavery and Trafficking (FAAST) anti-trafficking curriculum, Hands that Heal, is a comprehensive, Christian curriculum to train global caregivers who are front line providers of aftercare for women, children, and men that have been trafficked into the commercial sex industry. The curriculum is the result of a collaboration among more than 40 academicians and field practitioners from diverse backgrounds and organizations that address the needs of trafficked individuals. FAAST also developed Hands that Heal as a tool to inform and inspire churches, communities, organizations, and individuals around the world to engage in the battle against the injustice of human trafficking and to help equip them to provide transformational care to survivors.

Anti-Trafficking & Caregivers Training
November 14, 21 & 28 9am-3pm

Registration required. Limited seating.

Hands that Heal: International Curriculum to Train Caregivers of Trafficking Survivors
$35 Community-Based Edition utilizes a participatory training approach that can be used at the local level by churches, organizations and local community groups around the world.
$45 Academic Edition is designed as an undergraduate or graduate course to introduce future caregivers to the wide-ranging needs of survivors of sex trafficking, as well as to enhance the skills of current caregivers.
$75 Both curriculum's. All curriculum's come with training CD.

Presented by Beauty From Ashes
Where Victims Become Over-Comers
Providing Assistance to Victims of Commercialized Sexual Exploitation Since 2005

Word of Life Church
2120 Collier Avenue, Fort Myers, FL 33901

For more information, call 239.939.9218 or visit http://www.BeautyFromAshes.org