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Thursday, March 31, 2011

April Prayer Alert for Beauty From Ashes Ministries

Dear Prayer Warriors,

Thank you for your commitment to pray for Beauty From Ashes (BFA) Ministries and those hurt by the sexualized culture.  We know that it is ONLY by your prayers that God has protected us and we have seen many victories. In April, we would ask you to lift up the following items:


CLIENTS:  Pray for healing, sound minds, and encouragement that their past does not define who they are or their future.  That they have a revelation of who God is, how much He loves them and embrace the truth that will set them free to be everything they were destined to be.  May they have open doors for alternative jobs that pay well.  

LOCAL RESIDENTIAL SHELTER/HOME:  Funding is needed to acquire property offered to BFA for a 4-6 bedroom, already zoned as group home, for $2800 a month plus funding for staff to run.  May God's perfect will be done.  

MENTORS:  May God would raise up mature women to embrace and mentor victims and survivors locally and nationally.

OUTREACHES:   Let us pray against  the territorial spirit of jezebel, competition, jealousy, strife and division.  Please pray for favor with management and employees of adult entertainment businesses.  May outreach team members multiply as our territory continues to expand according to God's will.  May donations of bibles and Easter gift items be provided.  

VOLUNTEERS:  Pray for strength, encouragement and perseverance for current volunteers and that God would raise up more called, anointed, and committed servants.   

GRANTS & FOUNDATIONS:  Pray that our current partnerships for grants would result in operational, program, and project funding.  May God impart the wisdom to know which ones to apply for.  

FUNDING:  Funding for full time Executive Director and Executive Assistant would be acquired.    

CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT:  We seek God's perfect will to be done down to every detail.  Also, we need funding for DVD production and marketing of project.

PARTNERSHIPS:  Pray that churches would add BFA to their list of home missions support and begin to support with time, talent and resources.  Community partnerships would continue to increase.  Also pray for protection and strengthening of existing networking.  

EVENTS:  Wisdom and discernment is needed to know what and/or who BFA is to be involved with or not.  Pray that an Event Coordinator would come forward to handle all details.  

BOARD OF DIRECTORS:  Pray for protection, wisdom, encouragement, and direction for BFA and their personal lives.  May they have a divine connection to candidates for new directors and confirmation/affirmation from all board members.  May unity and harmony reign.

JULIE SHEMATZ:  Pray that our founder & CEO maintain balance, priorities and completes her final 3 weeks, of her 1st year, of graduate school with a standard of excellence.  Pray for safe travels and a meaningful experience in Birmingham, Alabama 4/5-4/8.  She will be going to a sex trafficking conference, touring a new safe home, and meeting with a local church interested in establishing after care programs for sex trafficking victims.  Pray that she be refreshed and renewed at a women's retreat in Lake Placid, FL 4/8-4/11.

OTHER LIKE MINISTRIES:  Pray for their funding and unity amongst one another.  May they be sensitive to the need for respect, privacy and confidentiality of clients, so that the details of the client's lives would not be exploited.  Pray for humbleness, wisdom and patience in reaching, rescuing and restoring victims.  May the level of professionalism be raised and licensed counselors and professional service providers unite with them to provide restoration services and program development.  Pray for balance, biblical priorities, and protection of marriages and families.  Strong boundaries need to be established and maintained for outreach and aftercare providers.  May God's strength and encouragement be imparted to all in the name of Jesus.  

"For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as  the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come."  (Ephesians 1:15-21)  Amen.

Thank you for your fervent prayers about these matters during the month of April. If there is anything that we as a staff can pray for you, please submit your prayer requests via our website.  We consider you a part of our family and are blessed to know you.


PRAYER REQUESTS:  To submit, CLICK HERE.

BFA PRAYER TEAM:  To sign up, send your name, city and state to prayer@beautyfromashes.org

BFA E-NEWSLETTER:  CLICK HERE to sign up.

Nancy Sampson
BFA Prayer Coordinator

Beauty From Ashes™ Ministries  
Where Victims Become Over-Comers
239.939.9218 | 877.4BFA SOS (877.423.2767) Toll Free Help Line
Physical Address:  12381 S. Cleveland Avenue, Suite 506-1, at the site of Barry University | Fort Myers | FL | 33907 | USA | Monday-Thursday 10-5
Mailing Address:  13300 S. Cleveland Avenue, Suite 56-623 | Fort Myers | FL | 33907 | USA 

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

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

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Easter OutREACH Gift & Care Package Assembly This Saturday!

EASTER OUTREACH GIFT & CARE PACKAGE ASSEMBLY THIS SATURDAY:  April, 9am - 1pm, Barry University.  Beauty From Ashes (BFA) is in need of individuals willing to assemble outREACH & care packages for survivors of commercialized sexual exploitation (CSE) and human sex trafficking.  We need help in making 50-75 gifts.  We are also in need of  Easter themed and inspirational books, bibles, jewelry, toiletries, candy, and gift items to be placed in the gift and care packages.  Items do not have to be identical and can be mailed to 13300 S. Cleveland Ave., Suite 56-623, Fort Myers, FL 33907 or call 239.939.9218 to arrange for pick up.  To support the acquisition of these items, you can also give securely online at www.BeautyFromAshes.org.  Please notate 'OutREACH'.  For more information, call 239.939.9218. 

BFA WISH LIST:  We have created the Amazon BFA Wish List to make it easy for you to know the bibles and books we wish to give away in our outREACHes and care packages. CLICK HERE to view, order, and arrange for delivery of items.  

FORT MYERS AREA PASTORS:  If you are a local pastor willing to open your doors and arms to these victims, please contact us about your Easter services and we will include your church's information in the outREACH gift bags.   

BREAKING FREE LIFE SKILLS & SUPPORT GROUP:  Wednesdays at Barry University 1-3pm.   For victims and over-comers of CSE and human sex trafficking.  Child care and lunch provided.  Registration required.  Contact Julie Shematz at julie@beautyfromashes.org or call 239-939-9218 to register. 

BFA VOLUNTEER & INTERN OPPORTUNITIES:  For more information, CLICK HERE

WEEKLY GLOBAL CORPORATE PRAYER:  Join BFA weekly, locally and globally for prayer to abolish slavery and for the organizations reaching, rescuing, restoring and advocating for the victims.  Fridays 8-9am EST.  For more information and prayer guide, CLICK HERE

PRAYER REQUESTS:  We care for you and have a team that prays over your every need.  Submit your prayer request via our website CLICK HERE.

BFA PRAYER TEAM:  To sign up, send your name, city and state to prayer@beautyfromashes.org.

BFA E-NEWSLETTER SIGN UP:  CLICK HERE

DOMESTIC HUMAN SEX TRAFFICKING NEWS:  For the latest in domestic human sex trafficking news, national conferences, documentaries, television specials, movies and more, visit www.BeautyFromAshes.org and/or join our facebook fanpage

DONATIONS:  Your partnership is vital for us to continue providing education, advocacy, and reach, rescue and restoration services to victims of commercialized sexual exploitation.  Please consider becoming a partner by giving a year end tax deductible gift today.  For  $25 or more we will send you our  Child of God CD.  For secure online donations, CLICK HERE or mail your check, cash or money order to Beauty From Ashes, 13300 S. Cleveland Ave., Ste, 56-623, Fort Myers, FL 33907.

Thank you for you support & God bless,

Julie Shematz & the BFA FREEdom™ Team

Beauty From Ashes™ Ministries  
Where Victims Become Over-Comers
239.939.9218 | 877.4BFA SOS (877.423.2767) Toll Free Help Line
Physical Address:  12381 S. Cleveland Avenue, Suite 506-1, at the site of Barry University | Fort Myers | FL | 33907 | USA | Monday-Thursday 10-5
Mailing Address:  13300 S. Cleveland Avenue, Suite 56-623 | Fort Myers | FL | 33907 | USA 

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

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

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Trainings, Call for BFA Ambassadors & Fort Myers Pastors, Easter OutREACH & More


3/29 AWARENESS, PREVENTION & INTERVENTION FOR TEENS:  North Fort Myers, FL.  
Beauty From Ashes (BFA) Ministries will be presenting the multi-media presentation, "It's Not Glamorous & Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking", to teens on Tuesday, March 29th at the Brookwood Girl's Home.   Human trafficking over-comer and BFA Founder, Julie Shematz, will be presenting.  Additionally, the event will have in attendance teenage girls from Hind's Feet Mentoring and the Children's Network.  All three organizations work with foster care teens, nationally recognized as an extremely vulnerable populous for sex trafficking. 

4/6-4/8  1st ANNUAL VICTIM'S CONFERENCE:  Birmingham, AL BFA's, Julie Shematz, will be attending this conference and has been asked to be a speaker.  

4/11 OUT OF SHADOWS with BRAD DENNIS of KLAUS KIDS:  Naples, FL For more information, email wingsofshelter@aol.com or call 239-340-2980.


4/5 & 4/21 EARLY DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS RESULTING FROM ABSUSE - NEURODEVELOPMENT:  Webinar presented by Anita Remig, Ed.D., F.P.P.R., F.S.M.I. 

NATIONAL VICTIMS OF CRIME ONLINE TRAINING

For the latest in local and national human trafficking and victim assistance trainings, as well as, the most recent news in domestic human sex trafficking, see the www.BeautyFromAshes.org home page.  

SCHEDULE BFA FOR AN EVENT:  BFA provides education, in service, and trainings on human trafficking for social service agencies, universities, churches, groups, businesses, and clubs.  To schedule a speaker and for more information, CLICK HERE

BFA AMBASSADOR & INTERN OPPORTUNITIES:  BFA is a grass roots organization that has been officially on the front lines reaching and restoring victims of commercialized sexual exploitation (CSE) and human sex trafficking since 2005.  Our founder has over 14 years of experience working with these victims and we are the only survivor founded and led organization in the state of Florida.  Our programs include community Education and victim Advocacy, in addition to Awareness, Prevention, Intervention and Restoration services to victims, service providers, task forces and coalitions, non-government organizations (NGOs) and law enforcement agencies.  We need your help.  Be a part of the solution and become a slavery abolitionist, join the BFA FREEdom™ Team today.  For more information, CLICK HERE

BFA MARCH STRIP CLUB OUTREACH REPORT: CLICK HERE

EASTER OUTREACH GIFTS, CARE PACKAGES & ASSEMBLY:  Every month on the 1st Saturday of the month BFA meets to assemble outREACH gifs and care packages for victims of CSE & human sex trafficking.  Our next meeting is April 2nd 9am - 1pm at Barry University and we welcome anyone to assist us.  We assemble approximately 75-100 gifts a month and are in need of Easter themed gift items such as:  Bibles, devotionals, bookmarks, pens, tracts, toiletries, candies, candles, etc.  

FORT MYERS AREA PASTORS:  If you are a local pastor willing to open your doors and arms to these victims, please contact us about your Easter services and we will include your church's information in the outREACH gift bags.   

BREAKING FREE LIFE SKILLS & SUPPORT GROUP:  Wednesdays at Barry University 1-3pm.   For victims and over-comers of CSE and human sex trafficking.  Child care and lunch provided.  Registration required.  Contact Julie Shematz at julie@beautyfromashes.org or call 239-939-9218 to register. 

WEEKLY GLOBAL CORPORATE PRAYER:  Join BFA weekly, locally and globally for prayer to abolish slavery and for the organizations reaching, rescuing, restoring and advocating for the victims.  Fridays 8-9am EST.  For more information and prayer guide, CLICK HERE

PRAYER REQUESTS:  We care for you and have a team that prays over your every need.  Submit your prayer request via our website CLICK HERE.

BFA PRAYER TEAM:  To sign up, send your name, city and state to prayer@beautyfromashes.org

BFA E-NEWSLETTER SIGN UP:  CLICK HERE
DONATIONS:  Your partnership is vital for us to continue providing education, advocacy, and reach, rescue and restoration services to victims of CSE & human sex trafficking.  Please consider becoming a partner by giving a tax deductible gift today.  For  $25 or more we will send you our  Child of God CD.  For secure online donations, CLICK HERE or mail your check, cash or money order to Beauty From Ashes, 13300 S. Cleveland Ave., Ste, 56-623, Fort Myers, FL 33907.

Thank you for your faithful support.  Together we are making a difference in the lives of many.  

 I'll leave you this week with Isaiah 1:17:

"Learn to do good.
      Seek justice.
   Help the oppressed.
      Defend the cause of orphans.
      Fight for the rights of widows."

Julie Shematz & the BFA FREEdom™ Team

Beauty From Ashes™ Ministries  
Where Victims Become Over-Comers
239.939.9218 | 877.4BFA SOS (877.423.2767) Toll Free Help Line
Physical Address:  12381 S. Cleveland Avenue, Suite 506-1, at the site of Barry University | Fort Myers | FL | 33907 | USA | Monday-Thursday 10-5
Mailing Address:  13300 S. Cleveland Avenue, Suite 56-623 | Fort Myers | FL | 33907 | USA 

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

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

Thursday, March 17, 2011

March Strip Club OutREACHes, Human Trafficking Events & More!


MARCH STRIP CLUB OUTREACH REPORT:  
Beauty From Ashes (BFA) Ministries did two strip club outREACHes in the Fort Myers area this month.  
On Thursday, March 10th the BFA outREACH teams delivered outREACH gift bags to one club and on Saturday, March 12th the team delivered gift bags and served up a home cooked meal of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, mushroom and onion gravy, salad and rolls with vanilla and chocolate cupcakes in the locker room of their local "adopted" strip club.  The gift bags were decorated for St. Patrick's Day and included bibles, candles, beauty supplies, candies, invitations to BFA's weekly support/life skills group, testimony DVD's, and a scroll telling the recipients that they are treasured, valued and, loved.  With the management's permission, the team also distributed special mix CD's with the message of love, hope and trust to the customers in their "adopted" club.  The team prayed with the manager and employees, shared the gospel, and 
participated in communion with the
 dancers.  For pictures of gifts, outREACH and more information, 
CLICK HERE.  Our next outREACHes will be the second week of April and we will be celebrating Easter.  If you're a pastor or leadership in a local church willing to open your doors and arms to victims of commercialized sexual exploitation and sex trafficking, contact us.  We would like to include your contact information for your Easter services in the outREACH gifts.  Our next gift assembly is Saturday, April 2nd 9am - 1pm at Barry University, Room 500-2.  We welcome volunteers and various gift items including bibles, devotionals, journals, candles, candy, confetti, Easter tracts, etc.  

BFA AMBASSADOR & INTERN OPPORTUNITIES:  For more information, 

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH HOSTS HUMAN TRAFFICKING EVENT:  A huge thanks to the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church for hosting a human trafficking awareness event on Monday, March 14th in North Fort Myers, FL.  The event was originally scheduled for 15-20 women and after the pastor decided the event needed to be opened up to men as well, nearly 100 attended the 75 minute, multi-media presentation, from other local Methodist Churches.   BFA Founder and human trafficking over-comer, Julie Shematz, shared her testimony and presented Human Trafficking 101 & Hearing From the Victims.   

AWARENESS, PREVENTION & INTERVENTION FOR TEENS:  BFA will be presenting the multi-media presentation, "It's Not Glamorous & Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking", to teens on Tuesday, March 29th at the Brookwood Girl's Home.  Additionally, the event will have in attendance teenage girls from Hind's Feet Mentoring and the Children's Network.  All three organizations work with foster care teens, nationally recognized as an extremely vulnerable populous for sex trafficking. 

SCHEDULE BFA FOR AN EVENT:  BFA provides education, in service, and trainings on human trafficking for social service agencies, universities, churches, groups, businesses, and clubs.  To schedule a speaker and for more information, CLICK HERE

DOMESTIC HUMAN SEX TRAFFICKING NEWS:  For the latest in domestic human sex trafficking news, national conferences, documentaries, television specials, movies and more, visit www.BeautyFromAshes.org and/or join our facebook fanpage

WEEKLY GLOBAL CORPORATE PRAYER:  Join BFA weekly, locally and globally for prayer to abolish slavery and for the organizations reaching, rescuing, restoring and advocating for the victims.  Fridays 8-9am EST.  For more information and prayer guide, 

PRAYER REQUESTS:  
We care for you and have a team that prays over your every need.  
Submit your prayer request via our website 

BFA E-NEWSLETTER SIGN UP:  CLICK HERE

DONATIONS:  Your partnership is vital for us to continue providing education, advocacy, and reach, rescue and restoration services to victims of commercialized sexual exploitation.  Please consider becoming a partner by giving a year end tax deductible gift today.  For  $25 or more we will send you our  Child of God CD.  For secure online donations, CLICK HERE or mail your check, cash or money order to Beauty From Ashes, 13300 S. Cleveland Ave., Ste, 56-623, Fort Myers, FL 33907.

Thank you for your continued support of BFA.  Because of you, together, we are making a difference in the SWFL region and nationally.  

In Him & His service,

Julie Shematz and the BFA FREEdom™ Team

Beauty From Ashes™ Ministries  
Where Victims Become Over-Comers