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March 2013 Prayer Letter
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![Healing Hearts Ministries Internaional [LOGO]](https://www.healinghearts.org/nimages/HHLetterhead_Web700.png) Dear Friend, This month I would like to share a story with you. It's a story about a family that looked like a normal family from the outside. From the outside one would think they are the typical middle class American family, but on the inside there was a deep dark secret that no one knew; a secret that would not only impact this family but the next generation as well. Listen to this young woman as she shares her heart with you. I am the youngest of 4 girls and the year I was born a "secret" began in our family that would continue for 37 years. I have 3 older sisters and we all kept the "secret" until about 6 years ago. The "secret" that we all lived with for so long was that we all had been sexually abused by our dad. It affected us all differently but one thing that was common between us was that we all went on to lead promiscuous, sinful lives that were very destructive to ourselves and those around us. Although we kept that part of our life a "secret" as well. We always kept the phi sod that we had a perfect family life. We did all those things that a normal family did. My parents had been married for 50 years by the time the "secret" had come out. This was a generational sin. I'm not sure how far back it started, but for sure went from my grandfather, to his daughter and my father, to my sisters and me to one of my sisters' daughters. Five and a half years ago, we confronted my dad with the truth about what he had done to us as well as the inappropriate behavior towards our friends and told him he needed to stop. He dismissed us and the next day we found out that he had abused our niece. The family confronted him again and he admitted to it for which he spent 6 months in jail. This started the nightmare shattering our family phi sod, at least among ourselves and our close family members, letting the "secret" out and then began the beautiful journey of God knitting us back together. Fast forward four and a half years later however, we were still keeping the "secret" since we had done that our whole lives it was hard to give that up. We never shared with anyone except extremely close friends or family what had happened. In August of 2011 one of my sisters went to a Bible study led by a former Healing Hearts leader, and after one heartfelt sharing by another person she finally broke down and got the courage to open up and tell her story for the first time. This former leader recommended that she sign up for the Healing Hearts Hem of the Garment study. There was a study starting in September so my sister talked all of us into doing it together. The only problem was that one of our sisters lived in California so she would have to sign up to take the study on line. God had a different plan though when He moved that sister back to Washington State in time to start the study with the rest of us. Since then we have been told that this was the first time Healing Hearts has allowed for family members to go through the study together. This was truly a divine intervention. This study opened up our hearts, and we were so blessed to be able to share openly with one another about each of our experiences, without interruption. To say we all loved the Lord and knew the Lord is a true statement, however, we were not living a FREE life. We still felt shame and guilt because of our past, refusing even to deal with it, talk about it to each other or even admit it to ourselves. Healing Hearts gave us a safe place to begin the healing process so we could live Free in Christ. From the beginning of the study we were blessed. Having amazing leaders, handpicked by God, share their testimony with us so candidly, their stories broke our hearts and yet gave us hope. Hope that we too could be healed and that one day we could share and be transparent in order to help others. Our leaders walked us lovingly through the Hem of His Garment study. Step by step through the sin that had been perpetrated against us as well as our choices afterwards that led us to continue in a sinful self absorbed lifestyle. Each chapter peeled back the layers until we fully saw ourselves and then fell at our Saviors feet asking for forgiveness which He freely gave. Chapter 6, "The Road To Forgiveness" enabled us to see that Forgiveness is Obedience. We learned that to forgive our offender is not saying "what they did was ok or right," but it is an act of obedience to our Father in Heaven who has forgiven us our sins. Even though we had all studied the parable in Matthew 18:21-35 before, we had never applied it to our abuse. This helped us realize that we were the ones refusing to forgive after we had been forgiven much. This was very humbling. Afterwards we were able to turn and offer forgiveness to the one that abused us. All of us have forgiven our dad however; we each are still at different stages of having a relationship with him. My sisters and I are closer and God has healed our relationships through the study. Two of us are now trained leaders in Healing Hearts with a heart to help others the same way that we were helped. We are also praising our Father in Heaven because our mom and niece both just completed the study as well. What began as a generational sin has now become a victorious generational healing. God Bless Healing Hearts Ministries for the work that they are doing... "setting the captives free". To God Be The Glory! I wish I could say this was an unusual situation but unfortunately it's not. Sexual sin has run rampant far too long and as a result it has destroyed lives, families, and marriages. When we look at the American family we often ask ourselves why. Why are things so bad? Things will never heal if we as a nation do not turn from our wicked ways, repent, and draw near to God. I'm thankful that by the grace of God we were able to help this family. I'm thankful that now they can walk in freedom and serve the God that set them free. There are many more who need our help. Will you prayerfully consider partnering with us by becoming a monthly financial supporter and prayer partner and help us "Bind up the Brokenhearted". Every heart that is touched by God can change a family and can go on to touch others. We must not remain paralyzed by the enormity of the problem; we must tackle it by changing one heart at a time. Won't you join us? May the Lord bless and keep you always. In His Love,  International Director |
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To Make a DonationYou 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 |