I am honored to say that for almost 3 years now I have been serving for a ministry at my church that aspires to bring hope to the people in the adult entertainment industry. It all started about 5 years ago when a few women felt convicted to share the love and grace of Jesus Christ with the exotic dancers at a local strip club. Through much prayer and remembering how Jesus always met a physical need for those to whom he ministered the ladies came up with a plan to take a home cooked meal into the club. Many of the club employees have told us that Wednesday nights are the only time they get a home cooked meal. We now minister to 5 local clubs and consists of a cooking team, prayer team, delivery team and security team.
With much perseverance the team petitioned asking the Lord to provide a home where women who wanted to leave the adult entertainment industry could heal and start a new life. Volunteers came forward, gave generously, and a wonderful family donated their farmhouse to become the Refuge for Women.
Soon after, Running for the Refuge took off when a precious woman found herself working through the grief of divorce and the pressures of life as a single mom. Taryn Stone had the courage to ask God how she could help this ministry and the renovation process that was taking place at the farmhouse. She felt led to run a marathon in hopes of raising awareness, prayer and financial support. As Taryn passes on the baton I am thrilled to run for the refuge. My passion for being a light in the darkness and running collide, I can’t think of a more fun way to make a difference.
If you feel prompted to support me as I run 26.2 miles I want to humbly ask you to pray about this letter. Pray for the ministries I’ve shared with you. I also want to challenge you to ask God how you can help. It’s not about me but I could sure use prayer throughout the rest of my training as well as on the day of the race. To stay updated through the rest of my training and to learn more about my involvement with Running for the Refuge check out my blog. I will be posting entries as often as I can to let you know what an impact we are making!
The Refuge for Women is a nonprofit organization for which people have given up more comfortable jobs in order to follow God’s will and work for this cause. They need financial support to keep the life-change coming. Would you be willing to make a donation? Would you pledge a specific amount of money per mile I will run? The Refuge will be hosting their annual banquet October 12 just 2 days after the marathon and would be honored to announce how much money was raised in my race. If you wish to give, it would be very helpful for your donation to be mailed by October 8th. Please make all checks payable to Refuge for Women. To keep track of the amount raised in my marathon, please write Running for Refuge in the memo of the check. If you wish to receive a copy of this letter along with an addressed giving envelope, send me your home address and I will get it in the mail.
Why should you help? I have learned over the past few years that this ministry is a reflection of the parable of the lost sheep.
Luke 15:4-7 tells a story about a lost sheep within the flock.
Although I was never an exotic dancer I was definitely a lost sheep. The enemy tried to steal, kill and destroy my life with drugs and alcohol and nearly succeeded. On many levels I can sympathize with these lost sheep in the strip clubs. If it were not for many of you who came after me to pray and love me back into the flock, I would not be writing this letter today. I have seen, first hand, men and women come out of the clubs. I have seen them leave their lives of sin and join the flock in the waters of baptism. I am brought to tears when I think about the grace and love God has lavished on me. Your help can get that message to others.
With much perseverance the team petitioned asking the Lord to provide a home where women who wanted to leave the adult entertainment industry could heal and start a new life. Volunteers came forward, gave generously, and a wonderful family donated their farmhouse to become the Refuge for Women.
Soon after, Running for the Refuge took off when a precious woman found herself working through the grief of divorce and the pressures of life as a single mom. Taryn Stone had the courage to ask God how she could help this ministry and the renovation process that was taking place at the farmhouse. She felt led to run a marathon in hopes of raising awareness, prayer and financial support. As Taryn passes on the baton I am thrilled to run for the refuge. My passion for being a light in the darkness and running collide, I can’t think of a more fun way to make a difference.
If you feel prompted to support me as I run 26.2 miles I want to humbly ask you to pray about this letter. Pray for the ministries I’ve shared with you. I also want to challenge you to ask God how you can help. It’s not about me but I could sure use prayer throughout the rest of my training as well as on the day of the race. To stay updated through the rest of my training and to learn more about my involvement with Running for the Refuge check out my blog. I will be posting entries as often as I can to let you know what an impact we are making!
The Refuge for Women is a nonprofit organization for which people have given up more comfortable jobs in order to follow God’s will and work for this cause. They need financial support to keep the life-change coming. Would you be willing to make a donation? Would you pledge a specific amount of money per mile I will run? The Refuge will be hosting their annual banquet October 12 just 2 days after the marathon and would be honored to announce how much money was raised in my race. If you wish to give, it would be very helpful for your donation to be mailed by October 8th. Please make all checks payable to Refuge for Women. To keep track of the amount raised in my marathon, please write Running for Refuge in the memo of the check. If you wish to receive a copy of this letter along with an addressed giving envelope, send me your home address and I will get it in the mail.
Why should you help? I have learned over the past few years that this ministry is a reflection of the parable of the lost sheep.
Luke 15:4-7 tells a story about a lost sheep within the flock.
“Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it?When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing,and when you got home call in your friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Celebrate with me! I’ve found my lost sheep!’ Count on it—there’s more joy in heaven over one sinner’s rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue."
Although I was never an exotic dancer I was definitely a lost sheep. The enemy tried to steal, kill and destroy my life with drugs and alcohol and nearly succeeded. On many levels I can sympathize with these lost sheep in the strip clubs. If it were not for many of you who came after me to pray and love me back into the flock, I would not be writing this letter today. I have seen, first hand, men and women come out of the clubs. I have seen them leave their lives of sin and join the flock in the waters of baptism. I am brought to tears when I think about the grace and love God has lavished on me. Your help can get that message to others.
