|
Heart to
Heart
January 2001 - "Giving the Gift
of Hope"
The other day I found this note on my desk:
Dear Marli Spieker,
My name is Teryn O'Brien. I was very touched with your Project
Hannah booklet (Hannah's Heartbeat). I am 12, and to think that
many young girls my age are suffering all around the world from
abuse, prostitution, and other hurtful things is an awful thing.
But our God is a loving God. He will comfort them through your
radio broadcasts and through His love. I will pray for them,
too. Please send me your Prayer Calendar. Though it isn't much,
this $5 is for Project Hannah. God bless your ministry.
He blessed my heart right there and then. What a special 12-year-old!
Her $5 and her prayers revealed her heart of compassion for
millions of girls trapped in sex slavery around the world.
Later that day, we were overwhelmed by the need of more programs
in additional languages, and the financial needs we face to
broadcast these programs. We prayed, and when we finished, I
read Maxine's letter. She has donated her beautiful art to us
in hopes that it will raise funds so that unloved, despised,
and abused women like she used to be, will hear Christ's life-changing
message of hope and find rest for their souls.
And then, there is Corrie, a beautiful teenager with such a
love for her Lord. She stood tall above her peers, reaching
out to God in devotion and prayer. Our prayer calendar, found
next to her bed, was a silent reminder of her gift of time,
love, and compassion for those who do not have a voice nor a
prayer to say for themselves. Tears filled my eyes as I read
the story of her going home to be with the Lord. Corrie gave
of her love...who will take her place and pray?
Two principles came to my mind: First, Luke 12:48: "God
loves the cheerful giver!" These women, and others who
have given of their time, talent, prayer, and gifts to Project
Hannah, are deeply loved by God. Second, in Luke 5:38 Jesus
said: "Give and it shall be given unto you. Good measure,
pressed down, shaken together, and running over!" This
assurance energizes me. It propels me and the dedicated Project
Hannah teams around the world to keep giving of ourselves passionately
to God and to our suffering sisters. It encourages our faith
to keep on proclaiming this saving message which imparts God's
powerful "strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow!"
into their weary souls.
I praise God for the many Teryns, Maxines, and Corries who have
sustained "Hannah"with their prayers and gifts. You,
likewise, may be one of them. Are you very young, like Teryn,
and God has moved you heart? Or, like Maxine, can you give of
yourself through your talents? Or, like Corrie, whose prayers
were her legacy? We want you to join with us, allowing God to
use you to touch the lives of countless women around the world
who so desperately need to know Him.
- Marli Spieker
Back
to Archive Main Page
|
|
|
