HOUSE OF HOPE ~ Freeing Women and Children from Human Trafficking and Prostitution
I have been slow writing because the topic is, at times, too difficult. Traveling to Nicaragua with 9 students from Virginia Wesleyan College last month was amazing and yet so challenging. We had a fantastic trip working with the Evangelical Methodist Church, Metanoia Missions and the House of Hope; and the team functioned with great unity. It is a great joy when I hear the students process what the trip meant to them and how they have been changed. The Evangelical Methodist Church would love to host teams from the United States. The needs are many and the blessings eternal! If you and your church have any interest in connecting with them, I can help make it happen. They have a full time mission coordinator who speaks English.
I realized that when Eileen, our children and I spent time with the House of Hope in January we received a 'PG' version because our children were present. This time was different. April Havelin, who heads up the ministry, interviewed women and girls who have been rescued from brothels. We heard from a school teacher whose husband abandoned her, leaving her to feed and care for their many children, pay for the home and everything else. She could not make ends meet and was pulled into prostitution to feed her children. This woman though, has been transformed by the love of God in Christ! She leads ministry at the House of Hope including going to the streets to befriend prostitutes and tell them of a better way in and through Jesus! April has a wonderful connection with the children. She invited them into our circle asking them their favorite games, subjects in school and encouraging them to share a greeting with us. April told us what the girls had been through before they entered. I was stunned as a little seven year old girl came in with a big smile, excited to sit with April. As my mind tried to process the heartbreaking information, I resisted the strong urge to fall onto my hands and knees and weep. More girls came in to meet us. We did not want to believe the stories we heard, because the pain was too great. Today as I remember and write of what I saw and heard, I feel the tears coming.
The darkness is real. Yet, ministries like House of Hope, do indeed give hope. Eileen and I are committed to serving them. On our trip in January, we brought back jewelry and greeting cards made by the women who have come out of human trafficking and prostitution. I love working closely with Eileen bringing attention to the tragic realities of human trafficking. Eileen sent a check to the House of Hope yesterday for $2,000 from items we have sold! Some of the VWC students and I are making and selling cappuccinos out of my office at the college with the profits going to House of Hope. For more info on them go to: http://www.houseofhopenicaragua.com/
Jail Ministry and 'On the Outside'
I met 'Tom' (name changed) in the Portsmouth Jail. When I came by his cell, he and a number of other men gathered so that we could share the Scriptures, pray and be in fellowship with one another. Tom and the other men studied the Bible daily and I could see a hunger in him to for more of God. It is so rewarding to see people hungry for the Truth, to be able to help them understand the Gospel and take their next step of faith. One evening after the group ended, he told me he was about to get out. Then he asked if we could meet 'on the outside.' I gave him my cell number and he called me the a few days later. Tom and I have been meeting in a mentoring relationship. He has joined a church in Portsmouth and is involved in their Men's Ministry. He and a friend have also come to our Wednesday morning group. He is 23 and has 3 children under 4 years old. His Dad is about to come home from prison for the seventh time. Tom does not want to repeat the mistakes his Dad made. I've met his family and I too want so badly to see the pattern of brokenness healed. I will be going to a different jail, since there is a need for Spanish speakers at Western Tidewater Regional Jail in Suffolk.
Preaching and Teaching
I am preaching frequently in churches in the Hampton Roads area. I just finished a four week series at Memorial UMC with my good friend, Pastor John Cole. Here is a link to a message I preached at Newtown UMC earlier this year: Greg's Message - Search and Rescue
Thank You and Support Update
We are so grateful for the financial and prayer support we receive as well as your words of encouragement. We count it a privilege to be able to serve in this way. We are actively seeking churches and families to support the ministry. The Portsmouth District of the United Methodist Church has paid for our health insurance in this first year. So we need to raise the funds for that cost. Our goal is 20 supporters at $50 a month by the end of the summer.
The Apostle Peter contrasts those who disobey with the faithful by affirming their new identity and reminding them of what God has done. Let us continue to walk and live in this reality!
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light" (1 Peter 2:9).
The Board of Life in His Name, Inc. meets regularly to establish this new ministry and map out the future. We will be losing one of our Board members as Pastor Bob Weeks has been appointed to serve a church out of the area. For more info on the ministry check out: http://www.lifeinhisname.net/
Greg West
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| The VWC Mission Team: Alan, Brandon, Andrea, Amber, Devon, Clancey, Katerina, Kala, Wayne and a little amigo |
I realized that when Eileen, our children and I spent time with the House of Hope in January we received a 'PG' version because our children were present. This time was different. April Havelin, who heads up the ministry, interviewed women and girls who have been rescued from brothels. We heard from a school teacher whose husband abandoned her, leaving her to feed and care for their many children, pay for the home and everything else. She could not make ends meet and was pulled into prostitution to feed her children. This woman though, has been transformed by the love of God in Christ! She leads ministry at the House of Hope including going to the streets to befriend prostitutes and tell them of a better way in and through Jesus! April has a wonderful connection with the children. She invited them into our circle asking them their favorite games, subjects in school and encouraging them to share a greeting with us. April told us what the girls had been through before they entered. I was stunned as a little seven year old girl came in with a big smile, excited to sit with April. As my mind tried to process the heartbreaking information, I resisted the strong urge to fall onto my hands and knees and weep. More girls came in to meet us. We did not want to believe the stories we heard, because the pain was too great. Today as I remember and write of what I saw and heard, I feel the tears coming.
 |
Eileen sharing recently at 'The Gathering' |
The darkness is real. Yet, ministries like House of Hope, do indeed give hope. Eileen and I are committed to serving them. On our trip in January, we brought back jewelry and greeting cards made by the women who have come out of human trafficking and prostitution. I love working closely with Eileen bringing attention to the tragic realities of human trafficking. Eileen sent a check to the House of Hope yesterday for $2,000 from items we have sold! Some of the VWC students and I are making and selling cappuccinos out of my office at the college with the profits going to House of Hope. For more info on them go to: http://www.houseofhopenicaragua.com/
Jail Ministry and 'On the Outside'
I met 'Tom' (name changed) in the Portsmouth Jail. When I came by his cell, he and a number of other men gathered so that we could share the Scriptures, pray and be in fellowship with one another. Tom and the other men studied the Bible daily and I could see a hunger in him to for more of God. It is so rewarding to see people hungry for the Truth, to be able to help them understand the Gospel and take their next step of faith. One evening after the group ended, he told me he was about to get out. Then he asked if we could meet 'on the outside.' I gave him my cell number and he called me the a few days later. Tom and I have been meeting in a mentoring relationship. He has joined a church in Portsmouth and is involved in their Men's Ministry. He and a friend have also come to our Wednesday morning group. He is 23 and has 3 children under 4 years old. His Dad is about to come home from prison for the seventh time. Tom does not want to repeat the mistakes his Dad made. I've met his family and I too want so badly to see the pattern of brokenness healed. I will be going to a different jail, since there is a need for Spanish speakers at Western Tidewater Regional Jail in Suffolk.
Preaching and Teaching
I am preaching frequently in churches in the Hampton Roads area. I just finished a four week series at Memorial UMC with my good friend, Pastor John Cole. Here is a link to a message I preached at Newtown UMC earlier this year: Greg's Message - Search and Rescue
Thank You and Support Update
We are so grateful for the financial and prayer support we receive as well as your words of encouragement. We count it a privilege to be able to serve in this way. We are actively seeking churches and families to support the ministry. The Portsmouth District of the United Methodist Church has paid for our health insurance in this first year. So we need to raise the funds for that cost. Our goal is 20 supporters at $50 a month by the end of the summer.
The Apostle Peter contrasts those who disobey with the faithful by affirming their new identity and reminding them of what God has done. Let us continue to walk and live in this reality!
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light" (1 Peter 2:9).
The Board of Life in His Name, Inc. meets regularly to establish this new ministry and map out the future. We will be losing one of our Board members as Pastor Bob Weeks has been appointed to serve a church out of the area. For more info on the ministry check out: http://www.lifeinhisname.net/
 |
Greg at the 'House of Hope' with the son one of the women who has come out of prostitution |
In the transforming love of Jesus,
Greg West
