A few blogs back I described a trip to Latvia for Thanksgiving. One of the best parts of the adventure was meeting Dan and Courtney Randall, a young couple who are each in ministry with the United Methodist Church in Latvia. We enjoyed their hospitality for thanksgiving.
One of the ministries that Courtney is significantly involved in is the Hope Center, which ministers to young, single pregnant women by providing them with housing, parenting training, employment training and support. Courtney has sent out a cry for help for the Hope Center in Latvia. If something does not change, the Hope Center will run out of money in January, jeopardizing the future and possibly existence of these young women and their babies.
I can think of no better gift for this season during which we remember the birth of Jesus to a young woman who was unmarried when she learned of her pregnancy and delivered the child in a stable. The gift of help,hope and life. The Hope Center is an advance of the United Methodist General Board of Global ministries. Because of that, one hundred percent of your donation will go directly to the ministry. For information about the Hope Center and how to donate, go to http://new.gbgm-umc.org/advance/projects/search/index.cfm The project number is 3019625.
From Courtney's email:
"The Hope Center is a place of hospitality and home. As I travel there once a week to spend time with these young mothers, I am blessed to know them. They have really taken me in and allowed me to share with them their lives and their children. They have welcomed this stranger and I now call them friend. God's love is so evident in this special place.
Please continue to pray for these young women and children. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.
May the peace and love of this Advent Season bring about the newness of life through Jesus Christ,
Courtney RandallDirector of Youth and Children at LAMB courtneymrandall@gmail.com "
Courtney emailed a brochure which I will send if you give me your email address on the comment page, or you can contact Courtney at the above email address, or you can just go straight to the GBGM site link http://new.gbgm-umc.org/advance/projects/search/index.cfm and go ahead and donate. Project number 3019625.
Sometimes it is frustrating because we want so desperately to do something to help those in need far away, but the problem is too big, or we don't know what to do. This is easy. But just because it is easy, doesn't mean it is not important. Find room in your heart for these mothers and their babies this Christmas.
P.S. Emily, if you read this, and I am sure you will because you are such a good sister, this is the one to tell Phillip about.
Excellent. Done.
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