Strip Club OutREACH Report, Gift Assembly Rescheduled, Shoe Revolt & More!

STRIP CLUB OUTREACH REPORT: 

On Saturday, July 30th, the Beauty From Ashes (BFA) outREACH team served up a home cooked meal of fried chicken, baked macaroni and cheese, salad, rolls, and Boston cream cake to the employees of our Fort Myers "adopted" strip club. The team also distributed gift bags that included Reach Up women's magazine, the Jimmie Bratcher Band Live July 4th CD, journals, pens, make up, manicure and pedicure kits, and human trafficking educational materials. The team had the opportunity to minister for nearly 2 hours directly to the manager, who has been allowing BFA to come in the club for over 7 years. As BFA founder, Julie Shematz, was praying for him, thanking God for the favor he has given us, with tears in his eyes, he stated repeatedly, 'if even in 20 years you can help just one girl, then allowing you in here will be worth it." He also advised the team that 3 dancers were able to acquire other employment last week and had quit. One of them came in that evening to say good bye and as she hugged Julie she told her 'you inspired me'. Two of them have followed up with receiving services from BFA.  Thank you to everyone that give of your time, talent, and resources to enable us to do these outREACHes consistently on a monthly basis. Together, we are making a difference!  Our next outREACH will be Saturday, August 13th.  To view pictures of outREACH, CLICK HERE. 

OUTREACH GIFT & CARE PACKAGE ASSEMBLY RESCHEDULED:  We have rescheduled this Saturday's outREACH gift and care package assembly to 

Friday

, 

August 12th 10am - noon.

  We will assemble 50-100 gifts in Room 500-1 of a Barry University that will be distributed to victims of commercialized sexual exploitation during our monthly outREACHes and the care packages are given to survivors residing in safehomes locally and nationally.  Anyone is welcome to join us.  We are also seeking gift items such as handmade crafts and items, Bibles, journals, inspirational books, etc.  See our Amazon Wish List  for book details.  

Starting in September we will doing Beauty Supply Inventory on the first Friday of the month at 9-11am and Gift Assembly on the second Friday of the month at 9-11am at Barry University.

  We apologize for any inconveniences this schedule change may cause.  

BFA IS SEEKING SUPPORT STAFF for a comprehensive, integrated, faith based, rehabilitative, residential program for victims of human sex trafficking and commercia

lized sexual exploitation, READ MORE.  We are also seeking volunteers who want to be slavery abolitionists, for more information, CLICK HERE.

SHOE REVOLT LAUNCHING NEW VICTIM SERVICES SUPPORT WEBSITE:  

Shoe Revolt was founded by overcomer and philanthropist, Ateba Crocker. Shoe Revolt's goal is to financially partner with one organization in each state, plus Washington D.C., to create a network of comprehensive and integrated, long-term rehabilitative housing. BFA is the organization for the state of Florida. By shopping at Shoe Revolt, consumers (MEN and WOMEN) are taking a stand against the sexual exploitation of women and children here in the United States. 

Revolt: (v.) to fight, to rise up against the injustice of commercial sexual exploitation of women and children with purchasing power. 

Human sex trafficking is neither a religious issue nor a political issue; it’s a human right’s issue that we ALL need to fight for. So, how do we stop this injustice? The answer is right under our feet.  

When you purchase shoes from Shoe Revolt, proceeds will go to BFA.  Shoe Revolt will launch their new website this Friday. Check it out at www.ShoeRevolt.com.

NOTE CARD CAFE has designed a set of "Beauty From Ashes" cards that are absolutely beautiful!  The best thing is that when you purchase them, they are donating 25% of the sale to BFA!  Check them out and order some today.  For more information and to see cards, CLICK HERE.

FUND RAISING: If you're passionate about doing something about human trafficking happening right here in the United States and want to support Florida's first and only human trafficking survivor led, community service agency, contact us today.  As we are expanding and developing the nation's first of it's kind: from the point of exiting the sex industry to full recovery, a seamless, comprehensive, and integrated program for victims of commercialized sexual exploitation and human sex trafficking, our funding needs are rising.  Whether it's a bake sale, car wash, Sunday School class project, percentage of your business sales, or organizing a dinner party, 3-5K run, awareness event, etc., please contact us with your fund raising/awareness ideas today.  Together we can make a difference.  

BFA AUGUST PRAYER REQUESTS:  

 For details on how to pray for BFA clients, events, partnerships, and projects, CLICK HERE.

WEEKLY GLOBAL CORPORATE PRAYER ON FRIDAYS:  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. Locally, we meet at our home headquarters in Fort Myers, FL at Barry University, Room 500-1.  We welcome you to join us.  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, state, and country to prayer@beautyfromashes.org.

BFA E-NEWSLETTER SIGN UP:  CLICK HERE

BFA FACEBOOK FAN PAGE & TWITTER:  Become a fan on the BFA facebook fanpage and follow us on Twitter.  Get informed and raise awareness by reposting and retweeting!  Awareness leads to prevention, intervention, and restoration! 

SCHEDULE BFA FOR AN EVENT:  BFA provides education, in services, 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

DONATIONS:  Your partnership is vital for us.  We currently rely on private donations to provide Program Services and in 2010 92.7% of giving went to program services.  We are seriously victim centered and our financials demonstrate this.  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., Suite 56, Fort Myers, FL 33907.

"Vindicate the weak and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and destitute. Rescue the weak and needy; Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked."  

Psalm 82:3-4 NASB (emphasis added)

Committed to freedom and healing,

Julie Shematz & the BFA FREEdom™ Team

Beauty From Ashes™ Ministries  

Where Victims Become Over-Comers

August Prayer Alert for Beauty From Ashes™

Greetings Prayer Partners,

Thank you for your faithful and consistent prayers for Beauty From Ashes™ (BFA) Ministries.  The prayers of the righteous availeth much and your prayers continue to make up the foundation of this agency and are making a difference.  Below are August's prayer requests.  

CLIENTS:  Please pray for our local and national client's mental, physical and spiritual healing, that they have sound minds, and the courage to commit to the long term healing journey.  May they receive a revelation of God's love for them and who they are in Christ.  "He sent His word and healed them." Psalm 107:20

OUTREACHES:  Thank God for the favor we have with sex business management and employees.  Pray that the Father's love will be evident in and through the team as they operate in unity and one accord.  

May those we reach receive the 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.  

Agree with us that outreach team members would continue to multiply as our territory expands according to God's will.  

LONG TERM RESIDENTIAL HOME & ASSESSMENT/RESOURCE CENTER:  Please agree with us for God's perfect will and provision of funding for a professionally run, long term, integrated and comprehensive, residential safe home and an assessment/resource center for victims of commercialized sexual exploitation and human sex trafficking.  We have been offered an amazing opportunity, however, we believe strongly that in order to commit to it, we need the finances and pledges to run the program with a standard of professional excellence versus a skeletal, untrained, and unexperienced volunteer staff.  Pray that God would send in the resources and qualified staff from the North, South, East, and West. Thank Him with us that in His perfect timing this vision will come to pass.  

FUND RAISING:  Pray that God would raise up a Business Manager and fund raising committee, with a heart for those we serve, to take the lead in fund raising.  Agree with us for more businesses, agencies, churches, ministries, and individuals to initiate creative fund raising for BFA. 

FREEdom™ HOMES BEST PRACTICES PROJECT:  Pray that God would continue to unite multiple governmental and non governmental agencies to work collaboratively in the development of the Best Practices for residential homes for sex trafficking victims.  (Currently there is none).  Pray for a spirit of unity and harmony and that these agencies will work together in the best interest of victims.  

PARTNERSHIPS:  Praise God with us for raising up a Florida legal firm and attorney that has taken the lead in serving BFA in all capacities!  We are honored to be represented by the same attorney that represented Terri Schiavo, attorney David Gibbs III and his associates.  Pray that God would continue to align us with the professional, governmental, private, corporate and faith based partnerships that are of His perfect will and nothing less.  

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

BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ADVISORS:  Pray for protection, wisdom, encouragement, and divine direction for BFA.  May all directors and advisors contribute their gifts and talents collaboratively as they operate in one accord.  

STAFF:  Pray for Mary Lewis, our new Executive Director, as she learns the operations of BFA and interacts with clients.  May they come to trust her as much as they do our founder and human trafficking overcomer, Julie Shematz.   Agree with us  that Julie will rest on her first vacation in 11 years and begin her second year of full time graduate school fully refreshed and renewed. 

EVENTS:  Wisdom and discernment to know what and/or who BFA is to be involved with or not.  Pray that God will raise up a BFA Event Coordinator.

 

CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT:  Please pray for the completion of the project and for the funding for the DVD production and marketing of campaign.

OTHER LIKE MINISTRIES/AGENCIES:  Pray for unity amongst one another and 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.  May strong boundaries be established and maintained for aftercare providers.  May God's strength and encouragement be imparted to all in the name of Jesus.  

BFA E-NEWSLETTER:  CLICK HERE to sign up.

Thank you for standing with us in prayer, for the establishment of God's perfect will for His ministry, Beauty From Ashes™.  

"If you believe, all things are possible to him who believes."  Mark 9:29  NKJV

Nancy Sampson & Sandi Spencer

Prayer Coordinators

Beauty From Ashes™ Ministries  

Where Victims Become Over-Comers