The Marathon

Eighteen years ago, in January, I made a giant leap to the start line of a race that I could never imagine where it would take me!  Starting with just a seed in my heart to run and feed kids!  I left everything that was “normal” and when the gun shot, off I went into full time missions!  What a race it has been!  In 2008, I was off to Romania, where I worked at an orphanage for a short time, and then off to Medgidia.  In January 2010, I ran to Romania, with 2 suitcases, all my worldly possessions, and planted that feeding seed for long term!  The bags, just stuff, the heart, full and yearning to feed the children and families living in extreme poverty! 

During that 14 year marathon, we fed those children and their families and transformed our little corner in the city.  We renovated a 9,000 square foot building, pioneered a feeding, literacy and homework program and now we have over 80 children, the first generation ever in history to attend school!  Since our humble beginnings of starting with 6 children, we have now had several graduates from High school and 7 currently attending!  First ever in their families history!!!!! 

I can’t share these memories without mentioning the great Romanian team and church that has come alongside me and helped me every step of the way!  Most of them have been with me since the starting line. They are the real hero’s in this story, without them the race would of ended long ago.  And You!  Thank you for sustaining us all these years!  I am so grateful to be surrounded by your love and encouragement!  It truly helped me to keep running!  

”As for us, we have all of these great witnesses who encircle us like clouds. So we must let go of every wound that has pierced us and the sin we so easily fall into. Then we will be able to run life’s marathon race with passion and determination, for the path has been already marked out before us.“
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Passing The Baton

After 14 years, I have reached the finish line of the Community Center project and it was time for me to prepare and train for the next amazing race!  On January 1, 2024, I passed the baton to the church.  The center is strong, healthy and continues to grow and now is time for the Nationals to take it to the next level!  The foundation is strong and the children, families and team will continue to move forward for generations to come!  There is a new Director, but the rest of the team remains.  I handed over all responsibilities, including financial.  I donated the car and the van and all the things in the building.  If you are giving funds specifically to the center, please notify me and I will be sure to designate those funds directly to the center.  I will give full transparency to you if requested. 

Please notify me by email at [email protected] if you desire to continue to support the center.  Otherwise, your funds will go directly to the Casa Nissi and the Bring Them Home Project to help support this groundbreaking ministry!  Keep reading, to find out how to run with me in this next race!

”For God, the Faithful One, is not unfair. How can he forget the beautiful work you have done for him? He remembers the love you demonstrate as you continually serve his beloved ones for the glory of his name. But we long to see you passionately advance until the end and you find your hope fulfilled. So don’t allow your hearts to grow dull or lose your enthusiasm, but follow the example of those who fully received what God has promised because of their strong faith and patient endurance.“
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭6‬:‭10‬-‭12‬ ‭TPT‬

Heal and Restore!

As you can imagine, it was quite emotional at the end of the Community Center race.  After running full speed ahead for so long, giving my 100% each day, probably more, I felt like I crawled across the finish line.  So many challenges, emotionally, spiritually and physically!  The heartbreak of our kids living in such terrible conditions, in their lives.  The stories of physical, sexual, and alcohol abuse; stories of abandonment, terrible living conditions and lack of food are traumatizing!  But the beauty and safety, with meeting our kids basic needs and loving them with the unconditional love we know from Jesus, was enough to keep me moving forward! 

Knowing if I stop to rest and process, I might not be able to get up and start running again.  In spite of the blisters, exhaustion, trauma, burnout and racing nearly 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, I finished!  God sustained me, even in my addiction and now I take a rest from the addiction of the race.  Literally, I feel my body is withdrawing. Now, I process all the things from the last few years and I take a time to heal, in all areas; and prepare and train for the next amazing race, the ‘Bring Them Home’ project. 

On Your Mark! Get Set! Go!

This year, I go to the “mark” and prepare to start a new race!  I will get “set” by finishing the construction on Casa Nissi!  After 3 years of watching the build from 50 steps away, and many false starts, I hope to move into the house this spring.   In the meantime, I will get “set” by starting to develop a program for the ‘Bring Them Home’ project. 

Next month, I will begin to visit and build relationships with ministries who are working with traffic victims and have successful programs.  It will be a year of pioneering, training, learning new things and making all the preparations to start this groundbreaking, final race. 

In the next few newsletters, I will cast the vision God gave me in more detail!  I have finished the call to “feed kids” and God did more than I could even think or imagine.  Now, I will dedicate the rest of my days to help the daughters of God to be free from prostitution and being trafficked! 

Get Set! 

‘Bring Them Home!’ 

GO!

”Since you are cherished and precious in my eyes, and because I love you dearly and want to honor you, I willingly give up nations in exchange for you— a man to save your life. I am with you now, even close to you, so never yield to fear. I will bring your children from the east; from the west I will gather you. I will say to the north, ‘Hand them over!’ and to the south, ‘Don’t hold them back!’ Bring me my sons from far away, my daughters from the ends of the earth! Bring me everyone who is called by my name, the ones I created to experience my glory. I myself formed them to be who they are and made them for my glory.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭4‬-‭7‬ ‭TPT‬‬