When we take a step of faith, God will ALWAYS show up. Always… Stepping out requires courage. It calls for doing things afraid. It requires obedience. But those three things always turn into something we could never imagine prior to taking that first faith step.
“I’m starting to see myself as Christ sees me,” she said. I couldn’t help but smile and fight back the tears as I heard her confidently speak those words. June is falling in love with who she is in Christ and if you and I are smiling about it, imagine the smile on God’s face.
We opened the doors to Freedom Outreach, the day program offered by Esther’s House, in November, and WOW, has God been moving full speed ahead in getting his message of redemption into the hearts of hurting women. You, my friend, play a vital role in that miracle. Your prayers and support have helped us move mountains in discipling women, including June.
As we say goodbye to 2016 and prepare for 2017, I can’t wait to see what God has in store. He never ceases to amaze me. This last year has been full of trials, victories, and tests, but in the midst of it all, God has been ever present.
Our most important goal for this year is to help the women who will complete the program in 2017, finish well. With your help, free women like June will:
- Hold her head up high with confidence in who she is in Christ.
- Make eye contact with the world without shame.
- Become an ideal employee, full of integrity.
- Renew broken relationships with her children.
- Seek healthy relationships, helping her continue to grow in her walk with Christ.
When God calls you to fulfill the destiny He has designed for you, you better be ready for a battle. Boy… have I been in my fair share of fights with the enemy as I’ve embarked on this journey of pursuing Esther’s House. As we prepared to launch Freedom Outreach in September, I was hit with a debilitating sickness in August caused by black mold. I struggled to hold onto my own identity in Christ as I worked hard to remind other hurting women to keep hold of theirs. The devil was mad, but I was even more furious. No way was he keeping this program from opening, not on my watch, and certainly not on God’s watch.
So here we are… victorious over the enemy’s schemes, watching women find freedom, grasp God’s love for them, slowly unpack their past and hand it over to God for healing, and understand the meaning of redemption. Though we’ve barely scratched the surface, God is moving mountains in June’s heart.
June is opening her heart to dream again. God is reminding her of the plans He has for her life. He is graciously reigniting the fire in her heart and helping her to realize she is able to pursue those dreams He’s placed within her.
When I first met June last year, her eyes were tired. She didn’t speak with hope. Enthusiasm was gone. She was simply surviving. But there was a spark, a desperation to burn bright once again. That little shred of hunger in her soul helped her to reach out for help. I’m so proud of her.
I wish you could be there to see the look on the faces of these women when they “get it.” What an honor it is to walk through this redemption process with them. Though you may not be physically be present in the process, you still have the opportunity to be there in other ways and be a blessing to women as they seek freedom.
We need your help to continue this mission of offering hope. We need you to continue pouring truth into their hearts. We need your support in helping women understand they don’t have to hold onto the baggage of their past any longer.
As we embark on the journey of making 2017 our BEST YEAR EVER, will you prayerfully consider financially supporting Esther’s House, helping us continue offering hope to hurting women?
[shareable cite=”Sundi Jo”]When God calls you to fulfill the destiny He has designed for you, you better be ready for a battle.[/shareable]
In the upcoming year, we have some big plans, including finding a more permanent location to host Freedom Outreach. (We’re grateful for First Christian Church in Belle, Mo., for allowing us to host the program there).
I can’t wait to see what God does in 2017. What about you?
As the year closes, will you join us both financially and prayerfully in setting out to make 2017 the best year ever? Every penny spells out hope and redemption for women who’ve forgotten the plan God has for her life.
Thank you for your partnership. We are beyond grateful and pray God’s blessings over your generous obedience.
Happy New Year!
Sundi Jo Graham
Founder