June Update

Orphan Justice Center (OJC)

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress.” James 1:27


My first outing with the Orphan Justice Center was great! We took home-schooled kids, adopted kids (some with disabilities), and foster care children on a field trip Thursday. Kayla, an 11 yr old girl (one of 9 adopted children in the family) walked up to me and said “I’m going to hang out with you today.” They were all precious and loved the attention. What a blessing to be able to love on the kids and give the parents a break.

Even though I have no experience with children with physical or behavioral issues, I know the Lord will equip me. Through prayer He keeps showing me His love for children; especially the fatherless. He told his disciples to “become like little children”. Oh, how His heart aches for these little ones! He rescues them. He protects them. The Bible is full of verses about his heart toward the orphan. The OJC was founded by the late Derek Loux from IHOP-KC, who left behind two biological and eight adopted children.
(louxfamilyblog.com)

I haven’t gone through Foster Care classes yet, so I’m going to the prayer & training meetings and eventually I can get placed with a family. Until then, I can assist with field trips! :)


Tonya's Life Update



“whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matt. 25:40

Tonya has been clean seven months now, and determined to stay that way. She’s strong. I’ve been giving her rides to work, to Hope City prayer meetings, a hair appt., errands, etc. and spending some time with her. She works a lot. Night shifts at McDonalds and barely makes ends meet. I met her sister, her two nieces, and her sister’s girlfriend who doesn't like Tonya living there. I’m looking into housing for her through IHOP’s Hope City ministry.

Tonya’s past mistakes with her children weigh heavily on her. All four of them were put into the system, adopted, and are now young adults. Two are in college, one in KC working, and one in prison. But she is so thankful to God that she is able to work, live, eat, sleep (she’s moved up from sleeping on the street to a couch!), to be able to share Jesus with her little nieces, and to have godly friends that love her. God loves her so much.! He will take care of her. It is by His spirit working inside her that has kept her from crack, alcohol, and prostitution all these months. He loves to love!!

Tonya wants her relationships with her four children to be restored. She said “I want to help other women know they can make it. They can get off the streets and stay clean. There’s hope.” She bought me $4 earrings last week. She said “I don’t ever get to bless others. Let me bless you.” Oh, Tonya, I AM blessed! I am blessed beyond measure:)


Pure Heart Finishes

“Who may ascend the hill of the LORD ? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart.” Ps. 24:3-4

Pure Heart finished well! Our last session ended with happy tears & words of blessing. One girl’s countenance changed in the short 8 weeks of the course. She makes eye contact and smiles now. Her whole face lights up! It is a miracle from God to see hearts healed and completely transformed by His love. I’ll get a new group of girls in August.


More Updates

• 3 friends visited me! Kara Hanson, Jess Stephens, and Kari Solheim all work together at UIU in Fayette, IA. They were encouraged and touched by God & are excited to come back! :)

• An IHOP (Exodus Cry) mission trip team led two women in S. Africa to a Safehouse this week! The two women were being forced to work the streets. The team even prayed over their pimp and he let them go.

• Evangelism training is underway. YWAM, IHOP and area churches are working together to evangelize the entire city of Grandview, MO (pop. 30,000) by the end of August. How exciting!