Helping Others Step Up

Each of us finds herself in situations where we have opportunities to help others step up, whether physically or spiritually. This month we feature ways women are helping other people up.

July 2015

Grace Touch

Facilitating Global Impact

Don't Forget!

By Viki Rife

"I wasn't sure what would happen. We walked into a room where everyone was sitting on one side, watching us. We didn't know them; they didn't know us. The cultural and language barriers would have been enough; in addition, the team was made up of introverts, and only two besides myself had ever been out of the U.S."

That's how Mandy Swain, the leader of the Women of Grace USA team that ministered in Haiti in June, described the first morning after their arrival. They had come in partnership with Breathe Partners, formerly CPR-3, to teach women sewing skills they could use to earn money to support their families.

The seven women on the team had each brought a sewing machine purchased through donations from individuals and groups in the United States. In all, ten Haitian women had accepted the offer of learning to sew. Since the unemployment rate is so high in Haiti, there were also plenty of others with nothing else to do who came just to watch what was going on. (continue)

Mom to Mom: Following the Bike

By Kate Ward

My nine-year-old son is asking to ride his bike outside of our cul-de-sac. I am all for this development. But when you have two other kids who don't ride bikes, it is hard to journey with him into the outside world. So I have started to follow him in my car. This might seem like "helicopter mom 101," but traffic in our subdivision is fast enough that I believe he needs some type of escort.

As I am following him with my flashers "flashing," I can't help but feel this scenario seep into the real-world "progression" my oldest is starting to step towards. Consequently, the big question becomes, how do I let him start "riding outside our street" but still follow him at an appropriate, safe distance? (continue)

Working Together with Pat Ashcraft

It was so exciting to see a team of ladies go to Haiti through Women of Grace USA! Even though my body couldn't go with them, my heart was there, along with many prayers for their ministry. They were able to give "a hand up" to women in that country. Due to the kindness of others who sent money for sewing machines and supplies, the team had what they needed to minister. There were others who helped our team with the financial support needed to go on the trip. So even though only a handful of women went, many men and women were involved in the process of helping others in Haiti.

This is such a great picture of the church working together to show Christ's love! WGUSA has many avenues to bless women in our country and around the world. But to do this ministry, we need your financial support. The church needs to come together again and support WGUSA. If you would like to give monthly to WGUSA, please join our Trellis ministry.

Prayer Watch with Sharon MacMillan

This month, we thank each of you for praying that God would cause a desperate dependency on Him at Margins Conference July 22-25 in Toronto, Ontario, as Women of Grace fulfills great opportunities to influence our fellowship of churches. Without Him we can do nothing, but with Him and through Him much fruit will be produced. Thank you for praying that Women of Grace USA would honor God's Word in every arm of this ministry (Titus 2:5b) through His power.