Katherine in Bulgaria

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Musings

I have been doing a lot of writing recently, mainly because I have been stuck in my house unable to go anywhere after my surgery. :)

I've been asked to write about 'why I do what I do'...which was so strange to me. My immediate answer was 'Well I do what I do because I heard about the monstrosity that is the sex trade that was going on in this world and God gave me the passion to combat it." But as I have continued to think and to write, I've been reading a lot about the abolitionists of the past. I love reading about their passion, their energy. I love quotes by William Wilberforce and Frederick Douglass.

I love quotes like this one

“Good works is giving to the poor and the helpless, but divine works is showing them their worth to the One who matters.”

― Criss Jami, Killosophy

And it is so true. I know from my own experience that I feel most loved when someone makes eye contact with me and tells me that I matter, that I am someone's beloved. I know that we are to feed the poor, I know that we are to provide aid, I know that we are to free the slaves, but nothing is more beautiful than being looked in the eye, being held, being given value and a new name. And that's what Christ is all about. He is the God that renames us. He is the God that cares. He is the God that writes love letters to us. I am honored to be doing 'what I do', because every day I wake up being reminded that just as I am loved, I am to love. Just as I am pursued, I am to pursue. Just as I was set free by Jesus, we are to proclaim His name and set captives free.

Thank you for supporting me in this, it is not easy work, it requires a lot of prayer, time, patience and resources...so I thank you.

Monday, December 28, 2015

Holiday Prayer

A Special Prayer for his Daughters and others around the world who are hurting.
Heavenly Father, As I listen to the radio I hear so many songs about how this is the 'Most Wonderful Time of the Year' and I am so thankful and full of Joy when I gather together with Your people and we celebrate Your birth, and we are pointed to Your Death and Your Resurrection. Lord I love You and I praise You!

But Father, my heart is heavy. With songs, commercials and movies all displaying happy families sitting around their trees, with full bellies and lots of presents, I am reminded that not every person will have these things this year. And not every one knows why we celebrate this Season.

There a thousands of refugees searching for life and a new start but end up finding nothing but despair and persecution.
There are children who have lost parents.
There are parents who have lost children.
There are young women who are slaves only because they accepted the wrong ad for a job over seas.
There are men and women in recovery programs who are not allowed to visit family.
There a families struggling through a difficult divorce.
There are couples unable to have children.
There are homeless and hungry people in every city.
There are people so overwhelmed with depression that this time of the year only reminds them of their inability to simply 'over come it'.

Whatever it may be Lord I pray that You would make Yourself known to them, this very night. We know that Your heart breaks for the broken, the hurt, the prostitute, the refugee, the forgotten and so Lord we pray that Your Spirit would move across cities and countries and that redemption and restoration would come into the brokenness. And Father, if it be Your Will would You extend Your Grace to those around us who are hurting by giving us Your Eyes, Your Words, Your Resources, Your Joy and Your Bold Love.

Lord make us prayer warriors for the lost and the hurting.
Lord make us generous givers.
Lord make us compassionate for strangers.
Lord give us forgiveness for our family and friends for whom we never seem to be able to forgive.
Lord give us Joy that is unexplainable and irresistible to those around us.

Lord we love You, we love Your Heart and we thank you for coming into our brokenness and for always coming after us. For never giving up on us.
We Love you and we trust You in all circumstances and may You be praised during this Christmas Season.
For Holy, Holy Holy is the Lord God Almighty, Who Was and Is and Is to Come.

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Friday, July 17, 2015

What We Are Forgetting, Church

For those of you who know me well you know that I have the nickname of being the 'Party Girl'. I love people, I love parties, I love dancing and laughter...and yet...it is never satisfying. In the midst of parties I feel the most lonely. At weddings I want to leave and cry of loneliness. I don't want to cry out of loneliness of not being married, but the loneliness of 'Already, but not yet.' We are engaged but not married to our Future Husband. We get tastes and kisses from Him but we are not with him yet. Oh how I ache for the day when loneliness is no more. Suffering is no more. A day when we are free to dance in perfect joy that we are forever with our Souls One Desire.

My 'bosom friend' Jeb Ralston wrote this Essay after the SCOTUS ruling and I thought it was so beautiful and provocative. I am thankful to say that I have been a member of churches and a member of a team now that I believe actually do a wonderful job at loving on singles, but I know this to not always be the case. I hope that this vulnerable essay on singleness is encouraging and uplifting and maybe even eye opening to the broader needs of the Church in general.

http://jebralston.com/2015/07/05/falling-through-the-cracks-of-traditional-progressive-marriage/

Friday, May 22, 2015

Business Apprenticeship

We have recently started a business apprenticeship program with one of our Daughters. Here are a few things that have happened during the first two weeks. Please continue to pray for us as we walk along side her and her 'New Life Jewelry' business.