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June 2018 Prayer Letter
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Healing Hearts Ministries Internaional [LOGO]

Dear Friend,


Healing Hearts is a Gospel-centered, grace-driven ministry that offers hope and healing in Jesus Christ through God’s Word to people who have been broken by sin. Healing hearts, healing families. . . one heart at a time.

Our vision statement describes the unique approach that defines Healing Hearts Ministries. Like a water drop that ripples outward, as one heart is healed many more are touched. In this letter, we want to share how this process of healing impacted one family as their wife and mother walked through one of our studies. Tracy Bashore, the husband of Healing Hearts certified counselor Julie Bashore, shares his perspective as a husband and father:

Healing Hearts: Tell us about yourself, your family, and your work.
Tracy Bashore: My name is Tracy, and I have been married to Julie for 28 years.  We have three kids, two of whom are out of the house and one who is a freshman in college.  I am the Executive Director for Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch, a camp and conference center specializing in programs for youth, people with physical or cognitive disabilities, and military families. This is my “second half” career; I previously spent 31 years as a computer programmer at IBM.

HH: Describe your relationship with your wife before Healing Hearts. How did this affect your family?
TB: Julie and I had a typical start to our marriage. The first ten years had many ups and downs as we tried  to figure each other out.  But our marriage was especially hard as we both had struggled in the past with broken relationships and sexual sin. This quickly created a wall between us. We both were hurting without really knowing the heart of what we were dealing with. Many things were just left unspoken and we did not have true intimacy. A healthy marriage is important to raising kids. Our failure to connect and the constant conflict that resulted really affected our children, who were 8, 6, and 2 at the time.

HH: How did you first hear about Healing Hearts Ministries?
TB: Julie spent a lot of time chasing the problem without a true solution. She spent months in counseling and after that traveled three hours every week for post-abortion group counseling. It was frustrating for me because I couldn’t pinpoint the source of the problem, nor did I understand it. After the group counseling ended we continued to struggle and not just because of her… I was also dealing with my past.  When Julie discovered Healing Hearts’ Binding Up the Brokenhearted online study and told me she wanted to take it to help her deal with her past, what was my response?  In typical “man” fashion, I said, “You've done one of these types of studies already, isn't that enough?” But I agreed to it because the online study was more conducive to our family life. It was a great option because she was able to be at home more and the cost was nothing like what we had already spent on other attempted solutions.

HH: How about afterwards? How did the study impact your marriage?
TB: I started seeing changes in her soon after she finished the study.  She definitely felt freer and our intimacy improved a lot.  It felt like a veil was lifted between us.  She seemed more open, and change continued to happen as she grew into a leadership role with Healing Hearts and was studying more.  I don’t know that we would still be together if she had not found the study.  I think we may have muddled through out of commitment to our kids and honoring the Lord, but it would have been tougher. It was also through this experience that Christ became the center of our marriage.

HH: How did these changes impact your family while your kids were growing up?
TB: I think the study allowed Julie to be the great mom she was because she had been freed.  Also, her spiritual growth through leading Healing Hearts was such a great model for our kids.  We were also able to be open with our kids about our past as a testimony to them of God’s great redemptive power.  Part of the healing that the study brings about is to remove the shame that is felt so you can talk about the past.

HH: Now that your kids are grown, how do you think your healing affects your family’s next generation?
TB: The power of Christ took our broken marriage and redeemed it. Our testimonies helped shape our kids’ lives in that now they are marrying and choosing to honor God in their own marriages and relationships. The cycle of sexual sin has been broken and we give God the glory. It shows Christ’s redemption of the generations. We are so thankful for the role Healing Hearts played in bringing this about.

HH: What would you say to other men who have similar struggles in their marriage, or with their past?
TB: I would say first of all, encourage your wife to take the study.  Give her the time, and be prepared for some ups and downs as she goes through it.  It takes time and she will experience a lot of emotions.  Just be there to support her.  Trust the process and trust that God will do His work in her.

If you are struggling yourself, understand how your past impacts who you are. The guilt and shame affects more than you think, especially your family.  Healing Hearts has a study for men, too!  You can learn more about Restoring a Father’s Heart (formerly “Wounded Warrior”) at www.healinghearts.org/get-help-now.

When someone is hurting, every one around them is impacted.  Maybe you know of a family who is struggling (perhaps even your own). There is good news! God is healing families, just like the Bashores, one heart at a time. Consider sharing this letter with someone in need today and encourage them with the hope of healing.

Thank you for faithfully supporting Healing Hearts as we train and support people, just like Julie, to provide gospel-centered, grace-driven counseling to their churches.

In His Love,

Sue Liljenberg
President/International Director




Ways you can help



To Make a Donation

You may use the donation form on our website to make a donation, or you may also submit your check to the address provided below.

Healing Hearts Ministries is a federally registered non-profit corporation, all contributions are tax deductible. One hundred percent of all contributions made to Healing Hearts go directly toward supporting the various aspects of our ministry no "administrative fee" is collected by a fund-raising service. All donations and expenditures are internally and independently monitored and audited. Annual financial statements are available upon request.

We thank you for considering contributing to our ministry. Your contribution will enable us to reach out and touch individuals who need the hope and healing message that only Jesus has to offer.

To donate online click this link:
https://www.healinghearts.org/donate


Send checks to:
Healing Hearts Ministries
PO Box 44670 Rio Rancho, NM 87174

phone (505) 355-6922