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I saw the depth of Christ’s redemption in my life when I went to Africa this year and talked about biblical recovery and forgiveness to women like me, who’d been sexually abused. Previously, I’d been through “Shelter from the Storm,” a sexual abuse recovery ministry at Watermark. Later, I helped put together a team that brought sexual abuse healing curriculum for the first time to women in Democratic Republic of Congo, where rape is rampant.
As I taught on the topic of shame on the trip, I looked back at my journal at the shameful things I used to believe about myself as a result of the abuse. Those words showed how much God had redeemed me. Like Isaiah 54:4, I had ‘forgotten the shame of my youth.’ I didn’t do that on my own power. Healing happened, because I relied on God. My hope for the women in D.R. Congo was that they would be comforted by the same comfort we found in Christ. - Laney Tate
LAUREN MADELEY: “We didn’t know how the women would respond to teaching on sexual abuse and rape. We knew the local ministry leaders must have been interested in being trained on the subject, because out of 100 people invited, 99 showed up.
“We started the conference by sharing our own stories. As I talked to the women about my own past abuse, I felt a connection. Our circumstances were different, but the hurt was the same. Although we did not speak the same language, they cried like I cried, and mourned like I mourned.
“Sexual abuse is never discussed in Africa. Women are the backbone of African communities and are raped as a means of destroying families and villages. The rapes are absolutely horrific – often taking place in front of their family members. After the attacks, they are cast out of their community with nowhere to go.”
LANEY: “I did not expect the women to open up. But sharing our stories broke down the walls. One by one, the women stood up and told their stories of abuse and rape. Some had carried that burden for 10 – 15 years. There was wailing and a lot of tears. But God’s Word shed truth and light in Africa in the same way it had for many of us here. It was wonderful to see that God’s Word changes lives no matter where you are or what circumstance you are facing.
“We knew no one could complete the recovery process in a three-day conference. Our goal was to give local church leaders, counselors and ministry directors the tools to teach the curriculum to others. But I did pray that healing would take place quickly, and God answered that prayer. Many women at the conference said they were ready to forgive. One rape victim had been plotting to have her perpetrator killed with a machete. She learned that revenge is for the Lord (Romans 12:19), and walking home from the conference, she decided she was ready to pursue forgiveness rather than revenge. It was amazing to see the healing that God provided. They went from not being able to mention they’d been raped to praising God and embracing healing and forgiveness. And they were ready to share that message with others.”
LAUREN: “I was surprised by the empathy the women had for us. I never thought the women in Africa would be crying for and ministering to me. That’s the perfect picture of God’s heart breaking for the abused. God doesn’t want abuse to happen, and He is in control. Yet we live in a broken, sinful world, and that’s a hard concept to understand at times. Today, it’s my job to share the truth about Christ so that others don’t have to live in darkness, shame and silence. That’s what my story is really about. For so long, I was in bondage and never thought I could share my story. Today, God is using my story to help women who don’t even speak my language. The abuse man meant for harm, God is using for good. And I have found freedom.”
After identifying external focus as a weak area from the 4B Form in January, Sonja McCuen’s community group began serving at Exodus Ministries in June. Read about the great work that God is doing in and through them at Exodus.
We began on a Saturday morning and worked about 4 hours. The guys painted apartments while the gals worked to organize the contributions closet. The ministry asked us to consider serving the children on Thursday nights while the moms attended a class on financial management. This began our journey into understanding the why behind the statistic that children of ex-offenders are seven times more likely to be incarcerated. Many of the children were in foster care while their mothers were imprisoned. We were shocked to learn that 75% of incarcerated women are mothers with kids under the age of 5.
Each Thursday evening, a team of women headed down to 4630 Munger Avenue to work with the children. If we had more than two volunteers, the extras worked to organize the contributions closet or cleaned an apartment. At first, we definitely experienced culture shock. Rarely did we hear a “thank you”. Then it occurred to us that this was the heart of serving like Christ served, without appreciation or credit. We used the Watermark Starting Blocks curriculum to teach a Bible story to the children each week. As the summer progressed and the children saw faces they knew, they smiled, and were delighted to see us.
The apartment we began painting in June evolved into one we are personally invested in to prepare for a new resident in September. We coordinated with Roxann Erhart to use the money allocated by Watermark for Exodus to purchase discounted vinyl flooring for two apartments. We are so excited to watch this apartment be transformed. We’ve used furniture donations available through Exodus, along with many of our own touches to make it a space that a resident will proud to call “home.”
A huge bonus is that it is completely enclosed and safe for children to help. Each week, we took many of our kids there and they chose one of the younger children to shadow and encourage them to make wise choices. Our children would tell you it was THEIR ministry!
One of the best parts of the whole experience has been working together as a community group to use our skills and talents for God’s glory. There are few activities we can be involved in that are more rewarding or more important to the Lord than serving the poor, needy, and/or imprisoned. Caring about the things God cares about is a beautiful place to be in our individual walks with Christ.
I’m going to continue at Exodus this fall as a mentor to a new resident. We walk with them 9-12 months, encouraging, exhorting and practicing the One Anothers of Scripture. I know the Lord will stretch me further through this process.
-Sonja McCuen
jeff_r_ward Reminded today of the power of God’s presence! Psalm 16:11 and Psalm 21. Also heard great word from Brooke on planning v preparing. #wmhaiti
jeff_r_ward Another lightning display tonight. Tomorrow, we head to a tent city to visit some post-amputee patients. #wmhaiti
jeff_r_ward Few things more inspiring than hanging with the Haitian National Amputee soccer team today. Diligence, discipline, sportsmanship! #wmhaiti
brookemauritzen Watermark Water Buffaloes v. The Haitian National Amputee Soccer Team. We are getting schooled! #wmhaiti #fb http://twitpic.com/2p2jag
jeff_r_ward Sweet kids today. MOH staff adopted from here. Reminded that Jesus wants us to come to him like kids. #wmhaiti http://twitpic.com/2ouhur
jeff_r_ward In Church of Hope singing with Haitians that “we’re alive…” but goes on to say “to worship You!” Amen! God is at work here! #wmhaiti
jeff_r_ward Love how MOH wants us to experience the beauty of Haiti as well as the need. An amazing waterfall! #wmhaiti http://twitpic.com/2ogbee
Tuesday was a day of tough conditions and an adventure as well. We rode in the back of a metal container truck 1900 feet up into the mountains of the island. The ride took a couple hours and seemed rough to us until watched the Haitians who live in the mountains walking up or riding a mule up the mountains with all their goods from market. I was once again reminded of how much I love comfort. We sleep in a bunkhouse with fans, an indoor shower, and protection from storms while Haitians sleep in huts, houses, or temporary homes provided by aid pegs. We ride up mountains on dusty unpaved roads in trucks.My Haitian friends walk or ride mules 14 hours up and back to market to get basics. Oh how I love my comfort. Lord, help me love it less each day. In the mountains we got to assist in feeding kids lunch, playing some soccer with them, and the watch Koons, JP, and a terrified little boy tell and act out the story of David and Goliath. Awesome job. We also got to see and get in one of the most maginificent waterfalls you could ever see. A great reminder of the beauty and majesty of God even in a chaotic place like Haiti. Below is pic of Brooke as she shares the gospel Smith and Peter who helped us make it to the falls. They see us as God’s provision, but Brooke explained to them what they need is Chist eternal provision. Finally, after an amazing evening worship service at Moh, we listened to our Haitian friend from Moh, Reuben, tell us his story of being trapped in a collapsed 4 story building for hours and hours after the earthquake. He was initially saved b/c another was on top of him and absorbed the impact of the building collapse. He was later located and rescued after 5 hours in a “tomb.” 300,000 Haitians died in that quake many in tombs like Rueben was rescued from and many died thinking they had earned their way to heaven, but in reality they did know the one who can rescue us all if we respond to the message the Brooke’s of the world deliver. Into Pap, Haiti today on a scouting trip with World Relief.
-Rick Howard
jeff_r_ward The kids loved the games and stories at Z’Orange! #wmhaiti http://twitpic.com/2ogalo
jeff_r_ward In the back of truck headed through town. This wasn’t on the itinerary! #wmhaiti http://twitpic.com/2odfvh
This was absolutely the best trip yet! We were blessed with an incredible team and some unbelievable opportunties to see God at work in and through the Sudanese. It’s hard to explain what it was like to be back in Sudan and get the opportunity to experience the fruit of 3 years of hard work… Since our first trip back in December of 2007, we have celebrated 150 families (and counting) who have been empowered to know about Christ’s redemptive love and to provide for their families. We’ve also hired and trained an incredible national staff. And, we’re already looking forward to our next site launch (more details on that to follow)…
Some highlights from the trip:
- We visited the markets, met with SE clients, and learned their stories. We also participated in a couple of loan repayment meetings, a loan selection/ approval meeting, and a loan disbursement to a brand new Seed Effect Cell Group
- We celebrated the end of term for our Seed Effect Vocational School students with a closing ceremony, student-acted drama, and some beautiful singing… and we perused their handiwork as we shopped for homemade gifts for our families.
- We participated in a clean water well drill with Water Harvest International.
- We played a lot of soccer (the international language 
- We attended church that was planted by a previous e3 campaign under a mango tree.
- We worked alongside the e3 church planting team to help share the Gospel in the village and plant a new church and we ended up planting another church on the side of the road at a brewery.
- We taught 120 (out of 150 total SE clients) about goal setting and business planning on Seed Effect Day and heard their testimonies of how Seed Effect has impacted their families. – We had an amazing trip that never ceases to be lifechanging… God is working in Sudan and we’re so blessed to be a small part of it.
Thank you for your support and prayers! To stay up-to-date on all things Seed Effect, be sure to read our blog, visit us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter! We are so grateful for your partnership and your generous sacrifice to invest in their lives.
With much gratitude for your commitment to the least of these,
David & Missy Williams
