Tennessee was whooped, and Philip laughed in Georgia’s face!

I’m not sure when Philip started loving football. I have a feeling something invaded his system through osmosis from this preschool picture!! He started with just watching the games on television, then watching old documentaries and films on the internet. The statistics and facts that are stored in his memory amazes me. (How can he NOT remember where he kept his black dress socks?!?) He would have loved to play for the McCallie School’s football team, unfortunately for him, his pediatrician (and me, his mother) will not give clearance to play contact sports. Philip, did not let that stop him. He approached the head football coach and asked if he needed an assistant. This will be Philip’s third year in a supporting/managerial role for the football team, and he loves every minute of it.

He has this competitive streak in him as well. We don’t need to even mention the Baylor – McCallie rivalry!!! It extends to the SEC and the NFL. No one beats his Vols or his Titans and goes unscathed!! Unfortunately, this weekend BOTH the Vols and the Titans lost! 🙁

Well, after Tennessee’s horrible 41-0 loss to Georgia, we were ministering on Sunday morning at the Atlanta Revival Center in Douglasville, Georgia. There were many in the audience who were proudly wearing their Georgia Bulldog Red and Black!! Well, before introducing Philip to come and speak, Pastor Vance made the church announcements, one of which was a men’s retreat where they would cook “any wild meat” and treat the men in attendance. I saw Philip suddenly sit up, perk up and smile. My heart sank, what was going on his mind? He was introduced and his first words to the Pastor and to the church congregation was about the men’s retreat. “So, Pastor Vance, since you will be cooking alligator and any other meat at the retreat, how about some bulldog?” My mind immediately thought of Jesus at the temple and how he escaped the Jews who picked up stones to throw at him. Where is the nearest fire exit?!? This boy continued on with his testimony, and in between “With God nothing is impossible, even for the Volunteers!”

The congregation was generous and loving to us all, rolling in the aisles with Philip’s comments.  But boy, for a while there, I was worried for Philip!  It is amazing how the Lord can use the weak to confound the mighty.  Many may look at children with disabilities and think there is nothing good that can come out of them.  But in the Master Potter’s hands, all things are possible for those who believe!!

filed under: Blogs

#GreatAmericanSolarEclipse

Monday marked an amazing battle in the heavens with the sun and moon. For a time, the sun disappeared and the earth became cool 🙂

According to ancient literature, people formed various reasons for why the sun disappeared from the sky. From that, various superstitions and myths were birthed. Food that is prepared during an eclipse is unpure and poisoned, therefore, people are advised to remain fasting during an eclipse. To some, an eclipse means disaster and destruction is imminent. In Mexico, pregnant women are advised to wear red underwear to protect their baby from a cleft palate.

Nail Polish

Monsoon season has hit Mumbai. As we braved the deluge of rain with the drive to the red-light district, Philip, Santhosh and I began to prepare ourselves for the long day! Unfortunately, the rain did not stop once we arrived in the red-light area. It only poured in intensity! We climbed the stairways, hopped over sewer lines and struggled to hold the feeble umbrellas upright as we climbed to the Lighthouse, the LWR center in the heart of the city.

The ladies and several children were there to greet us. We were so happy to see their smiles. I won’t ever forget the blank expressions on their faces the first time I met them in February 2015. There was hopelessness in their eyes. But to see their joy today, there’s only one explanation for it, and that is Jesus. Yet, there is still a battle going on for the souls of these women and their children. We must not forget to fight for them.

Towards the end of the day, the rain had finally ceased. I stepped outside of the Lighthouse to walk around the slum area. I saw a few women huddled together and I wondered what was in the center of their circle. There I saw a box with a rainbow of colors in tiny jars. It took me a few minutes to realize that the box was filled with an assortment of nail polish. A man came with another box of nail polish and displayed it in front of the ladies. There was a lot of negotiation as he relayed the prices and showed the various colors.

I don’t know who the man was, or who sent him.  But it saddened me that instead of finding ways to help the ladies be set free, people found ways to keep them captive.   It happens over and over again, everyday.  A safe hostel (safe home) has been arranged for many children of the women of Project Butterfly.  But many of the mothers are saying, we want to leave this place too.   We need to build homes for these in captivity, and not find ways to keep them oppressed.  This project will take all of us working together.  This has to be done, because we all are called to set the captives free.  I hope that you will join me in this vision to bring hope, bring change, and bring new life to the people of Mumbai’s red light districts.

Together let’s transform Beauty from the Ashes!

Susan

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Kenya on our heart

Kenya on our heart Santhosh and I were blessed to attend this year’s Global Missions Health Conference in Kentucky. While there we connected with other organizations, relief agencies, ministries working to expand the Kingdom by their service. We met people from…

My “FORCED” restful Birthday Week!

Kenya on our heart Santhosh and I were blessed to attend this year’s Global Missions Health Conference in Kentucky. While there we connected with other organizations, relief agencies, ministries working to expand the Kingdom by their service. We met people from…

Tennessee was whooped, and Philip laughed in Georgia’s face!

Tennessee was whooped, and Philip laughed in Georgia’s face! I’m not sure when Philip started loving football. I have a feeling something invaded his system through osmosis from this preschool picture!! He started with just watching the games on…

#GreatAmericanSolarEclipse

#GreatAmericanSolarEclipse Monday marked an amazing battle in the heavens with the sun and moon. For a time, the sun disappeared and the earth became cool 🙂 According to ancient literature, people formed various reasons for why the sun disappeared from the…

Nail Polish

Nail Polish Monsoon season has hit Mumbai. As we braved the deluge of rain with the drive to the red-light district, Philip, Santhosh and I began to prepare ourselves for the long day! Unfortunately, the rain did not stop once we arrived in the red-light area. It…

Welcome to Zimbabwe

Welcome to Zimbabwe We were definitely a sight to behold at JFK international airport. A team of 10 people all wearing identical “Love Without Reason” yellow shirts, trolleying 30 pieces of luggage which were all tagged with the same beautiful Volunteer…

Welcome to Zimbabwe

We were definitely a sight to behold at JFK international airport. A team of 10 people all wearing identical “Love Without Reason” yellow shirts, trolleying 30 pieces of luggage which were all tagged with the same beautiful Volunteer Orange ribbons. We were an excited bunch, taking selfies, praying in tongues and passing out snacks.

The flight was uneventful, other than people asking us “What is Love Without Reason?”   One pastor from Kenya invited us to bring Love Without Reason to Kenya!  God willing that day will come very soon.

We were greeted by an amazing team at the Harare Airport. Each LWR family was hosted by a church family from Revival Ministries International, which was LWR’s hosting church for our very first medical camp in Zimbabwe! Sunday morning three separate churches received the Word from different groups of LWR’s team. Each service was powerful. The atmosphere of expectancy is the breeding ground for miracles!

Beginning Sunday up until Saturday each day was designated with tasks and preparation for the Sunday (Father’s Day) medical camp at Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare. Everything from visiting the hospital and laying the map for camp day, to sorting out medical supplies to creating patient files!! Whether you had a medical background or not, your skill was used here! During the evenings, various meetings were held: awareness meetings on Human Trafficking, a seminar on Women in Ministry, and a Message of Hope from Philip Mathews. Every person on the ten member team from America shared or spoke during these meetings. Our first two team members from India came as the Trustees of LWR Foundation, the remaining “Big Five” which included the surgeons and anesthesiologists would arrive on Saturday.

The day of camp finally arrived! The Admin team arrived at 6a.m. and there was already a line of twenty patients waiting for the doors to open. We learned that many traveled from 300-500 kilometers away, and their transport had arrived late in the night or early that morning to deposit them at the hospital. We all assembled at each of the 11 stations, which included a photo session, pediatrician, surgeon, and anesthetist evaluation, blood work, and counseling. The amazing volunteers (close to 100) checked in at their stations ready to help at their first medical camp. The medical students from the University of Zimbabwe came with their white coats to assist in history taking and in registration and to learn from the health care providers. Nursing staff from the hospital assisted the patients with weights, blood pressure and blood draws. Runners transported vials of blood to and from the lab in order to streamline the movement of patients. Approximately 149 patients came through the camp, with 46 being screened out for non-facial health issues. Of the remainder, lists were made to accommodate patients for the June mission, and for the next camp mission.

Beginning Monday morning, children and adults were brought to the operating theatre for surgery. Santhosh and I visited them in the hospital ward that evening. Many parents that night itself thanked us with tears of gratitude in their eyes, as they gazed in wonder at their children’s new faces.

The days started at 5a.m. and ended at 11pm with the workload in the hospital. Our lead operating room nurse, Sister Botoro, told us “I will not be tired, until Sunday.” Their hearts were moved because of the love shown to the people of Zimbabwe. One surgical nurse cried as she shared with us during the focus group meeting on Friday night, “No one cares about the poor. No one. But you have come to change their lives.”

Friends, the work is not over in Zimbabwe, it is only beginning. If you have given to Love Without Reason, please know that this is your victory too! If you have never supported the cause, I urge you to partner with us. There was only 1 craniofacial surgeon in the entire country, as a result there is a five year back log of patients with such birth defects. With the help of LWR surgical team passing on their skills, many more surgeons will rise up in this country. The five year back log will disappear.

Thank you for joining with us! God bless you for answering the call!!

Until the World is Cleft Free!

Susan

www.lovewithoutreason.net

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Where Are the Children?

As I have met with many of the women who were trapped in the red light districts of Mumbai, I have heard many stories of heartbreak, tragedy, and shame. But it is amazing to me how that ugliness and fiery experience can be transformed from ashes into something beautiful! When we were in Mumbai’s red light district in March, we had the opportunity to meet several women and record their stories that they wanted to share with the world. It is something that once you start listening, you lose track of all time.

It was the same with me. The sun had started to set, and the city lights were twinkling when we suddenly realized how late it had become in this place that was so filled with oppression and darkness! As we hurried into our vehicles with all our belongings loaded, I could see that many women were already sitting or standing in front of their doorways all along the side of the streets. I will never forget this picture. I forced myself to look into their eyes.

Their eyes were vacant, watching us drive by but not “seeing” us. This was forever embedded in my mind. As we approached the city entrance, the sounds were more boisterous, and children were running still on the streets and vendors were hawking their hot and fresh food items.

It was only when I returned home that something dawned on me. Why was it so quiet at the top of the hill where the women were standing outside trying to sell themselves? Where were the children?

Some of the literature indicates that because the young children can potentially distract or prevent the mother from her “work,” many of the pimps force the mothers to drug their children so that they remain asleep on the floors under the bed of their mother. They sleep all through the night, while their mothers work all through the night.

It was such a grieving thought. But it did explain to me why those streets were not filled with playing children, as I had seen at the city entrance.

We cannot simply watch and hear these things with a vacant attitude. Join with us in the work to transform lives to give beauty for ashes!

Read more in this article http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/community/story/2016/mar/30/local-wombrings-aid-opportunity-women-develop/357738/

Because every child matters,

Susan

Pornography doesn’t Hurt Anyone

Does it?

I stay on the email list and facebook pages of many different anti-trafficking nonprofits.  This week, one story caught my eye, and has not left me yet.

It was the story of a three year old girl who was found duct-taped and in her own feces in a garbage bag. She had been left in the care of a thirty-year old man and his girlfriend, by a mother who lived in the same apartment complex and was hooked on drugs. Apparently, the man who reported to the authorities the condition of this child, had gone to this apartment to have sex with this thirty year old guy. The guy offered the baby as well, but the man was disgusted and left.

The little girl has not uttered a word, and the experts think this may be due to the trauma. Apparently, the rapist was taping her mouth, so she must have been able to make some sounds at some point. I guess her eyes were not blindfolded.

She was abandoned by her mother and father, every thing that should have been secure in her life is gone. Her body was torn and ravaged by who knows how many people, not to mention the physical abuse of the rapist and his girlfriend, and the neglect and malnourishment of this baby.

For those who think that pornography doesn’t hurt anyone, they only need to meet this three year old baby girl. She was being sold, her body was trafficked for sex. These sick animals exploited her body, and the sick filth who saw her, bought her to rape her. Pornography fuels sex trafficking.

I know there’s hope for this precious baby, I am going to name Hope. I know there’s nothing too hard for the Lord. Please pray that the right resources, networks, compassionate and understanding caregivers come into her life. The trauma she has endured can be overcome, with the God who promises to be near the brokenhearted and who will work through each of us to help her and others like her.

There’s hope for the addicts as well. There are LIFE recovery groups that go through amazing counseling sessions and therapy. You can find more information at www.freedomeveryday.org

Thank you for praying for Hope and for joining the work of LWR. We will keep fighting to end the demand, and to combat pornography and human trafficking of our children. We do this..

..because every child matters,

Susan

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I dare you to read UNPLANNED!

I came across Abby Johnson’s book titled “Unplanned” while at the library, and finally finished it! For those of you who don’t know her story, I won’t spoil it for you here. Except to tell you that she worked for Planned Parenthood for seven years, starting out as a volunteer, then working up to Clinic Director! I do urge you to read this powerful book!!

Two things I learned in my book study. God’s redeeming grace is truly amazing grace. No matter the past, the crimes of the present, and our future, how HE loves you and me!! He pursues us. To see the plan and heart of the Lord in loving Ms Abby and calling to her spirit was emotional. And I was only reading it! He loves you, my friend. He loves me! Even though I was far from Him, though I was not clean, a lost cause; yet He came to save me!!

Secondly, no matter what the circumstance is, there is power in prayer. We know that our fight is not seen in the physical realm, but in the spiritual. We are so powerful on our knees before the Lord. In the book of Daniel, where he begins his prayer and sees no immediate response, after 3 weeks the angel tells him a message. “From the first day of your prayer, I came with the answer. But the devil and enemy fought for 21 days against me.” (from Daniel 10). There were dedicated prayer warriors with the Coalition for Life in Bryan, Texas who were praying for Ms Abby for YEARS. They recognized the leader she was, and also the compassion she demonstrated for the young women entering the clinic for abortions. Instead of hating or badgering her, they prayed. And the rest is history.

Do you want to see what an abortion looks like? Read this book. Ever hear the words “empty uterus?” How about a physician jokingly say, “Beam me up, Scotty” as the uterus which once held a baby, is now empty? Don’t believe the lie that these babies don’t feel pain. See what happens when the suction probe prods the baby in the womb. There was no place for that baby to escape the pain.

I dare you to read this first hand account of what truly is going on in Planned Parenthood meetings, and in their clinics. Ms Abby was a hard worker, she won the favored Employee of the Year award in 2008. She is here to give us the facts, because she was there and saw everything firsthand.

I dare you to read this book.

Do it, Because Every Child Matters!

Susan

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40 years?!?!

I remember growing up thinking that when my parents were in their “40s” they were considered OLD.

Ah, well. How time does fly!! 🙂 🙂

And how history repeats itself! My children whispering to each other, “Mom is OLD! Mom has gray hair!”

I heard a statement from author and radio show host, Mr Eric Metaxas that I want to paraphrase : “The 40 & under generation get it. They understand abortion. They know that they could have been one of the aborted.”

I was thinking over that statement, and trying to place myself in my parents’ shoes forty years ago. They were still newlyweds and could still be considered new to the USA. They did not eat three solid meals every day, sometimes going days without food. The language differences, the low socioeconomic status, poor housing all could have contributed to one simple and easy decision when they found out they were expecting their first child. I have to ask myself, why did they choose me? It was the easier road, less burdensome road to make a different choice that day they found out they were pregnant. They have shown multiple times over my life span the rewards for taking the road less traveled. They have shown me that hard work and sacrifice does pay off at the end of the day. They have shown me that simply trusting the Lord, and not leaning on your own understanding opens doors that you may not have ever imagined.

So while I appreciate the birthday wishes and the jokes about reaching 40, I honor my parents for choosing life, and choosing me. And I encourage you to do so as well!

Love you so much mom and dad!!! God bless you, and thank you for giving me life!

Sue

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Stirred not Shaken

Back in my younger days I was a huge James Bond fan. I especially loved the new inventions of Q and seeing Bond in his tuxedo. It didn’t matter who was playing Bond. 🙂 Anyway, that phrase “shaken, not stirred” came into my head this weekend, and I thought I would tell you the story.

The past several months have not been joyful months in my life. There have been the mountain top experiences, but the valley lows always seem to highlight and overwhelm any good thing. I came into church Sunday morning feeling heavy with the cares and concerns of the world. And you know how that old enemy, the devil, will jump on that and add his bit to make everything worse.

I was sitting there listening to the meaning of the Indian song that the praise team was singing. It spoke of the power of God that is in us, and how God works through us. I listened for awhile, then I thought to myself, “Is this the Christian life? Worrying about things that you can’t control? Feeling shame and humiliation? Walking around weak like I have no hope?”

Then enters the thought “shaken not stirred.” Except that if you don’t stir yourself up, then you will settle to the bottom. So I will say that I began to “stir” myself up. I know the life that I am called to live. I know who my Father is, and His plan is not to harm me, but prosper me. I know He has a calling over my family. Though the world labels me in negative terms, I remember my identity in Him, and that is what counts. I began to counter every lie with a promise that God had given.

I have to tell you, friends, this was a fight. The Christian life is not for the faint hearted. It calls for us to DAILY renew our minds, and stir ourselves up with the promises of God. The easy way out is just to let go of it all and go with the flow. The harder thing to do, which may be the right thing to do, is to stand for the Lord and His perfect way, will and work.

We can’t do this alone, but with Him we can do all things. I’ll be praying for you to also STIR yourself up!!

God bless you!

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