Thursday, September 9, 2010

September Update!

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Man, it feels like ages since I have written to all of you… even though it has only been a month! I guess transition has a way of making the time fly by.

This past month has been filled with so much, I hardly know where to begin.

As my time at home with my family began nearing its end and I began preparing to move once again, my heart became so sad. I have always been extremely close with my family and any time that I have to leave them is extremely difficult. However, I got everything organized and packed up and jumped in the car with my Mom and Dad and off we went. Immediately upon arriving at the Hope House, I felt so at home and at peace. I was welcomed with open arms and God just confirmed once again that this was where He wanted me to be for this season of my life.

The first couple weeks at the Hope House were bittersweet. It was great to finally be getting settled in and to see this new dream come to fruition, but it was clear that there was a lot of work to be done. The resident that was here when I first arrived almost immediately developed a bad taste in her mouth for me. As it is so many times with victims of trauma, especially victims of sex-trafficking, change is extremely difficult and the reaction to it is pretty harsh. God provided me with a very quick reminder and reality-check that working with these victims is going to be no walk in the park.

Unfortunately, that resident is no longer with us and we are continually praying for her safety and well-being. It was heartbreaking to see all of the staff’s reactions after she left our program. They had poured so much into her and they felt as if they failed in some way. It was again, a reminder from the Lord that we may not always see the fruits of our labor… but our labor is in no way in vain.

These past couple weeks without residents however, have been somewhat of a blessing in disguise. We have been able to utilize this time to bond more as a staff, devote ourselves to prayer, and attempt to discern the will and direction God has for our ministry. We have been re-writing all of our policy and procedure manuals and restructuring a great deal of the overall program. It has been a ton of work but it is almost completed and I’m really excited to see how it is going to work! We have also booked several speaking engagements and are planning a benefit concert on October 9th. We’re also utilizing this time to get geared up for our Christmas Strip Club Outreach program. We will be gathering donations, making cards and gift baskets, and traveling to different strip clubs throughout the area to attempt to reach out and minister to the girls in that industry.

The word has been put out that we are accepting victims and hopefully we will have some soon. We are praying already for those girls we already know the Lord is going to place with us!

On a more personal note, I am getting settled in well and thoroughly enjoying being back in North Carolina and the mountains! I am finding myself becoming a little stir-crazy without residents, but am praying that God will allow me to rest and trust in His timing. I have found an incredible church and am praying for discernment as to if Lord would have me to join with them. Missio Dei is an Acts 29 Network church located in Asheville, NC. I will be attending membership classes over the course of the next few weeks and hopefully starting a small group in the beginning of October. Saturday, I am so excited that I have the opportunity to go to Myrtle Beach, SC for vacation with my family. This is a vacation my family takes every year, but I have been unable to attend for about the past 5 years or so due to college and job/location challenges. I can’t wait and am just praying that it would be a great time of fellowship with my family, rest, and some sweet time with the Lord by the ocean! 

Thank you all again SO much for all of your love, encouragement, and prayers! I could not be doing this ministry without you and it means more than you will ever know! Please let me know if there is anything that I can be doing for all of you and/or any prayer requests that you may have.

By His Grace,
Shannon



Monthly Supporters: Don’t forget to send in your support for the month of September!
Check to: On Eagles Wings PO Box 9737 Asheville, NC 28815 (“Shannon support” in Memo Line)
OR
Online: @ hopehousenc.com (“Shannon support” in box for extra information after you submit your donation)

Prayer Requests: Victims that the Lord would have to come to Hope House!
Continued discernment/direction for this ministry
Direction for which church community to be a part of
Rest, Fellowship, Time with the Lord while on family vacation
Doulos Ministries – still going through a lot of transition, need endurance!
Continued realization of the depth of my own sin and the constant need for Christ’s amazing grace in my life.

Contact: Facebook – www.facebook.com/shannonfromwelcome
Group – Shannon’s Ministry Partners
Blog - http://saoshano@blogspot.com
Email - saoshano@gmail.com
Phone - 336-596-5898