Merry Christmas team!
Thanks for journeying with me the past few months. I so appreciate all of your prayers, and can’t even begin to describe how encouraged I am to know that military teens and their families are being covered in prayer, and that you’re praying for me as I raise support to minister to them in Germany. I look forward to the coming year, and seeing how God will choose to work through our team.
I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas. I pray that you have sweet times with family and friends as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, Immanuel! If you’re traveling, I pray for safety. Seems that most of the midwest is covered in snow and ice - be careful out there!
Blessings on you friends, “see” you next year!
Beth
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Dear Team,
With President Obama’s recent decision to send more troops into Afghanistan, many military families are preparing for more deployments. Stars and Stripes, a military newspaper, featured an article this weekend about a recent study regarding the toll deployments are taking on military dependents.
According to the study, “Multiple, lengthy wartime deployments by service members are taking an emotional toll on their children, who report being anxious or stressed at rates much higher than children nationwide.”
The fact that wartime deployments are resulting in added stress for children didn’t surprise researchers. However, they were “surprised to learn their problems deepened with longer or more frequent deployments. This challenged an assumption that children might, with repetition, get used to a parent being gone and later reintegrating with the family.”
The author reported that, “the Iraq and Afghanistan wars are creating an unparalleled time for military families given the strain of operations over many years on both active and reserve volunteers. The nature of these conflicts is different — in terms of the extended deployments, the multiple back-to-back deployments. So it’s hard to really [compare to] prior wars to what we’re experiencing now," she said
Studies like this are important because they provide great insight into some of the specific needs of those I’ll be ministering to. Understanding where kids are hurting helps me meet them where they’re at. Ultimately, I believe what these families need is Christ, and to experience His healing power and peace.
Would you pray with me this week for families impacted by deployments. Especially during the Holidays, it’s difficult for families to be separated, giving rise to more stress and anxiety. Pray that families would find rest in Jesus this week. Also, please be praying for wisdom and strength for those who are currently ministering to military families. This is often their "busy" season, as many families come to church during the Christmas season, providing opportunities to reach out and minister to new people.
As always, thanks for praying and journeying with me!
Because of Christ,
Beth
(Click here to read the article)
(To browse through the whole study, click here and search for “Children on the Homefront")
With President Obama’s recent decision to send more troops into Afghanistan, many military families are preparing for more deployments. Stars and Stripes, a military newspaper, featured an article this weekend about a recent study regarding the toll deployments are taking on military dependents.
According to the study, “Multiple, lengthy wartime deployments by service members are taking an emotional toll on their children, who report being anxious or stressed at rates much higher than children nationwide.”
The fact that wartime deployments are resulting in added stress for children didn’t surprise researchers. However, they were “surprised to learn their problems deepened with longer or more frequent deployments. This challenged an assumption that children might, with repetition, get used to a parent being gone and later reintegrating with the family.”
The author reported that, “the Iraq and Afghanistan wars are creating an unparalleled time for military families given the strain of operations over many years on both active and reserve volunteers. The nature of these conflicts is different — in terms of the extended deployments, the multiple back-to-back deployments. So it’s hard to really [compare to] prior wars to what we’re experiencing now," she said
Studies like this are important because they provide great insight into some of the specific needs of those I’ll be ministering to. Understanding where kids are hurting helps me meet them where they’re at. Ultimately, I believe what these families need is Christ, and to experience His healing power and peace.
Would you pray with me this week for families impacted by deployments. Especially during the Holidays, it’s difficult for families to be separated, giving rise to more stress and anxiety. Pray that families would find rest in Jesus this week. Also, please be praying for wisdom and strength for those who are currently ministering to military families. This is often their "busy" season, as many families come to church during the Christmas season, providing opportunities to reach out and minister to new people.
As always, thanks for praying and journeying with me!
Because of Christ,
Beth
(Click here to read the article)
(To browse through the whole study, click here and search for “Children on the Homefront")
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Good Morning Key Clubbers!
The snow is starting to fall! The big winter system that’s moving across the US is making it’s way to the Northwoods. For the past few days, the weather forecasters have been predicting our first big snowfall of winter for today and tomorrow. Perhaps you’re getting (or already got) snow too, as this system is huge!
I have no idea how much snow to expect - we could get a few inches or a few feet, but I know we’ll get something! So, we’ve checked our cupboards to make sure we’ve got the essentials, incase we can’t get out for a few days and I brought in extra firewood this morning, so nobody has to go out in the cold later on to get more.
As I watch the snowflakes begin to fill the sky, I’m reminded of my current situation. Just as small snowflakes come together to cover the ground, individuals all over the US are coming together to cover our ministry to military teens with prayer.
And just as I anticipate a beautiful winter wonderland to take place outside my door, I wait in anticipation to see God orchestrate an awesome team of supporters to share the Gospel with the military community.
I’ve been encouraged this week. In addition to a few new people joining our team in prayer, I received some unexpected donations to put towards some ministry start up expenses. So just like the snowstorm brewing in the region, I know God is at work, drawing people to this ministry. I don’t ultimately know who and how many, but I know He’s got it covered, so I wait in anticipation as I watch Him work! Would you join me in praising the Lord this week for continued growth in our team!
And just as I’ve prepared for the snowfall, checking on food and firewood, I continue to prepare for this ministry by seeking out opportunities to share the story of military teens. Please continue to pray for divine appointments with potential supporters!
Thank you so much for your partnership in this ministry. I pray you have a wonderful week walking with our Lord as we anticipate the celebration of His birth this Christmas season.
Blessings,
Beth
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