GraceTouch
Facilitating Global Impact
January 2016
    Hello Viki,

Many of us are wondering what the new year will hold. God calls us to a life of adventure! Explore some of the adventures He invites you to this year!
The 10,000 Syrians Coming to America
by Barb Wooler

The Syrian migrant crisis had been going on for years with little more than the token glance from western media. But on September 2nd that all changed. That is the day the world met Aylan.

We “met” this beautiful three-year old boy in a photo. Not a photo you’d expect, of a smiling little boy who still hadn’t figured out how to smile without closing his eyes. No, this photo was of his lifeless body being slowly buried in the sand as wave after wave lapped against his face.   

The world stomped its collective foot in revolt! How could this happen? Three days later everything changed. Germans lined the streets to welcome refugees; they cheered and clapped and embraced the dazed foreigners, whose reception just a few days earlier would have been very different.                                               
  
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic this tragic picture was having its effect on North Americans. Social media exploded in outrage! How could such a travesty happen to such a beautiful little boy like Aylan and his family? (Aylan’s mother and 5-year-old brother also perished with Aylan.)

THE CONTROVERSY
But the present controversy surrounding Syrian refugees isn’t as simple as whether to help a 3-year-old boy, is it?

Prayer Watch
We need to learn to pray! Please intercede for the designing and implementation of the Women of Grace USA Prayer Summits that we hope to begin this year. Pray for Sue Knight, Nicole Miller and Sharon MacMillan as they seek the Lord for His direction in providing life-changing opportunities to grow deeper in the school of prayer and intercession, enabling His women to have a powerful influence for God’s kingdom.

Power that Overcomes
 How have you seen God’s power at work? Do you think your story could encourage others? The upcoming issue of Women’s Spectrum will celebrate the power that overcomes. If you would like to share your story, check our writer’s guidelines. If you would prefer to share your story with someone who can write it for you, please contact us at spectrum@wgusa.org.

Musings for Moms: Leaving My Child in a Safe Place
(Note: This article was written on December 29, 2015. Erin arrived safely in Uganda and is now two weeks into her ministry trip)

By Cindy Shuler

Tomorrow Gordon and I drive our 19-year-old daughter Erin to Chicago to board a plane en route to Uganda. It’s been her dream to work in an orphanage in Africa, so we weren’t surprised when she began researching options. What we didn’t expect was that she’d travel alone and spend a month ministering in an orphanage which we previously knew nothing about. The fact that she’d even considered this was evidence of a deeper calling.  She’s always been quiet, reserved

and not very adventurous. This was a huge leap of faith.

On several occasions I was asked how I felt about her taking this trip. Honestly, my emotions were a mixed bag of excitement, fear, joy, terror …… and peace.                                       
Read More
Will you go to Haiti?
Women of Grace USA is sending a Ministry Team to Haiti June 22-28, 2016.
Do you like to teach life skills? Sew a simple backpack? Minister to children? We invite you to join this team. Applications are available online. Preliminary deadline to apply is February 1st.

We're also accepting donations to purchase 12 sewing machines to leave in Haiti as a source of income for single moms.
Resolve!
January brings resolutions such as losing weight, reading the Bible more, spending more time with family, or clearing out
clutter. But resolutions only work with true commitment. The commitment part is where it gets difficult. It is easy to say we are going to do something. But actually keeping a resolution takes more than just talk, so we need to be wise in what resolutions we make. Ask God what He wants for you.

As Women of Grace USA, we would like you to pray about being a part of our financial support. God is leading us to do many good things this coming year. We need your support to reach more women with sound Biblical teaching. Please go to our website and learn how you can be a part of our Trellis team. It will be a New Year’s resolution that will bless many.  
Mark Your Calendar
Equipping Others for Ministry
    January 22-23, Orange, CA      Register

Spiritual Formation
   February 5-6, Auburn, CA          Register

Women & Scripture (Spanish)
   February 26-27, Valrico, FL       Register

Effective Bible Study/Teaching (Spanish),
   March 11-12, Winona Lake, IN

Transformational Teaching
   March 18-19, Winona Lake, IN Register

Spiritual Formation
   April 8-9, Winona Lake, IN         Register

Haiti Mission Trip 
   June 22-28

Contact
Women of Grace USA
                           PO Box 711                        
Winona Lake IN 46590