I had the privilege of spending time with the pastor and men of our partnering church, and this day of men’s fellowship included a BBQ, game of soccer and a great time in the Word and prayer together. These men love the Lord and stand together through these tough times their country is facing. Please keep them in your prayers, and especially the pastor and the leadership.

 

Iraq – As we began the women’s conference last month in Kurdistan, I asked how many were refugees and 75% of the women held up their hands. These are some of the women and their families Indigenous Ministries has, since 2014 helped through the national church with food, water, clothing, diapers and other relief supplies; thank you for making a difference in their lives as you’ve donated to the Iraq Fund.

Impact – One of the young women attending, Maha, is from Karakoosh. She and her husband have three energetic young girls and live in an apartment with four other families who are also refugees. With resources and space in short supply, tension is high and Maha is overwhelmed. She and I talked and her tears and words spilled out in obvious exhaustion. We spent time discussing options for her and prayed together. Two days later, her husband called the pastor and said, “I don’t know what they did at the conference but this morning, my wife, she is very happy and I am very glad she went to it.” I love this; one of many stories of how this conference made a difference in these women’s lives.

Theme – The conference theme was the newness of spring, and how hope, joy and love CAN ABSOLUTELY bloom again no matter what situations we journey through. We opened the Bible together and looked at hope and joy through the attributes and promises of God. The women also sat in small groups discussing the messages.

Nutrition and exercise – The second evening I donned my exercise suit and we jumped into the topics of nutrition and exercise. I challenged the women to get online and learn more about nutrition and then to encourage each other to exercise; most women in the Middle East are not involved in taking care of themselves in these two areas.

Nahla, the pastor’s wife, did a great job of putting the conference together, and my translators, Blanda and Shahla were fantastic. As a ministry team, we elected to invest the $500 we would have paid for a hotel meeting room to repair the broken church bathrooms and held our meetings there at the church. Worked out perfectly.

I’m so very grateful to my Beautiful International Partners in the US who regularly pray and give financially making ministry to these women possible. I really hope this report encourages and blesses you as much as I’ve been blessed and that you’ll continue. I’d love for you to join me as a Beautiful International Partner by praying for and giving to Beautiful International. Your generous monthly or one time gifts keep the wheels going. There are many more opportunities to help women in Iraq and around the world, and I encourage you to get involved so we can continue on!

Bracelet craft – We made exquisite one of a kind beaded memory bracelets which were a BIG hit. I greatly appreciate John and the pastor who got in on the action helping twist the wires! All the women, and ESPECIALLY our ladies in the refugee camps loved making a special Beautiful craft they are really proud of and will look at as a symbol of God’s love surrounding them.

We ended the conference with prayer and the question, shall we do this again next year? They answered with a resounding “YES!” Thank you for your partnership that made this possible and I thank the Lord for His grace on this time. The next Beautiful conferences are in the Middle East and India this fall.

The Middle East – Please pray for more girls and women who are being helped with their freedom from DAESH (aka ISIS).   Although I can’t share details at this time, I personally want to encourage you to continue to pray because we ARE making a difference! 

Women’s Ministry in India and Iraq – Ladies, I need your help in prayer with two upcoming opportunities to minister to women; one in India next month and another in Iraq soon. In the Middle East, John and I will be working with the churches and refugees; and I look forward to teaching the women.  I’m asking you to generously support Beautiful International financially – assist me as I help more women.

Ohio – The chill in the November morning didn’t dampen the 160 excited participants pictured who gathered to run and walk the 5K course in Cedarville. John and I were deeply moved with their generosity and concern for the girls we raised money to rescue from ISIS that day. Praise God; we raised $6,100 and rocked it!!! This was a great effort and I’m very grateful to each one who made this happen so Beautifully, especially Jewel Harkleroad (she and her husband, John, who also did much to make this happen) who suggested we have the 5K and then organized it on the Ohio end.

A very special thank you to our corporate sponsors: Brentwood Builders, One Master Ministries, Carl Atley Farms, Pure Pucker Lip Care, The Requarth Co., The Hearthstone Inn, Stoney Creek Roasters, Cutting Edge, Silver Spoon Event Planning, Cole Reilley Photography, and Hair Limits of Cedarville. Special thanks to Pastor Craig and Grace Baptist! We also had generous supporters from all over the country who weren’t able to attend the race but donated $25; awesome and thank you! If you didn’t get your shirt, we still have a few left; email me at [email protected] We have Beautiful hats now too (see, John is even wearing one!) for a $35 donation; the proceeds will go to to Beautiful International Women’s Ministry to help women in the Middle East and India.

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With less than a month to go, we are excited that registrations are up to 25 and two Cedarville business, Brentwood Builders, and Carl Atley Farms are sponsoring the event at the gold level for $500.

Join us on November 14th at 9:00am at the Community Park in Cedarville as we raise awareness and funding to help girls who have been kidnapped by ISIS.

Our goal is to help them not only with their personal safety, but with clothing, Biblical counseling and a safe house. A number of those already rescued have come to a saving faith in Christ.

For more, go to: www.Beautifulinternational.org