|
Terri Clark Ministries, Inc.
If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31
Whew! 2008 has certainly been an intense year for change. Many of us are still reeling from the devastating hurricanes, gas prices that literally ate our lunch, a crash in the housing market, a plummeting stock market, and iconic companies and industries going under. Through the year, our nation has experienced seemingly unending campaigns and a Presidential election which drove us to our knees. The winds of change have swirled around us all, and just blown this year away!
So here we stand at the end of 2008, shaken, but standing none the less. We are standing because we know in whom we have believed. When faced with all manner of persecutions and trials, the Apostle Paul asked, "What shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" The wise Apostle continues with this exhortation, "...who can separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril or sword?...But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us...for I am convinced...that nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:31-39)
Of course, we have no way of knowing what 2009 will bring, but we are convinced in this?if we continue to stand firm in our faith in Jesus, His love will not disappoint. I encourage you to put 2008 behind you, and look forward to this new year with a renewed resolution to put all of your trust, hope and confidence in God. He is the same yesterday, today and forever...a safe refuge in the midst of any storm. Here at TCM, we will continue to trust God for every provision as we move forward to answer His call to encourage the broken-hearted and reach out to the lost with the hope of the Gospel.
|
| Sweet Water Stepfamily Conference & Retreat Center | |
Sweet Water was born out of a vision to bring tangible, practical, and biblical help to couples struggling to hold their marriages and families together in a swiftly growing, but largely ignored segment of the American population?the stepfamily.
Someone asked me why we are calling our new center, "Sweet Water." In fact, it seems rather ironic because right now, the only water on the property is a small, muddy pond?hardly a place anyone would call Sweet Water. The name actually came from a Scripture I was reading one day as I sat looking at the dirty water. In Exodus 15, Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt by crossing through a miraculous parting of the Red Sea. Singing and dancing, the people were free from bondage, and on their way to the promised land. This jubilance is what newly remarried couples feel after suffering the loss of widowhood or divorce and then finding the man or woman of their dreams. They are full of hope, heading to their own "promised land."
The story in Exodus goes on to tell how just three days into the journey, the hopeful Israelites found themselves tired, thirsty, and disappointed. The journey to the promised land wasn't what they expected. There was nothing to drink but bitter water?much like my dirty, brown pond. God instructed Moses to throw a tree into the water, and when he obeyed, the water became sweet. You guessed it! Here at Sweet Water we are applying the "tree", (the Cross), to the bitter, emotional issues of blending. Through biblical counseling, workshops, seminars, conferences, and retreats we are encouraging, equipping and strengthening marriages and families.
Our prayer is to break ground for the Conference Lodge early in 2009, with the retreat cabins to follow. This will be the first facility of its kind, specifically targeting the blended marriage. Please join with us in prayer and support as we raise funds necessary to bring Sweet Water into existence.
|
| Encouraging Stepfamilies Now | |
Terri's Book: Tying the Family Knot; Meeting the Challenges of a Blended Family, 2004 Broadman & Holman Publishing Co. ($14.99, order on website or contact our office).
Conferences, Workshops & Seminars: Schedule Terri to speak in your church, school or organization
Articles: Read Terri's articles on our website or subscribe to Lifeway's Publication; Living With Teenagers Magazine to read Terri's column, The Right Blend.
Counseling: Stepfamily counseling available either in-office or by telephone. Contact our TCM office for appointments.
My son, SSG Jeremy Hand, previously serving in Iraq, is now back in the U.S.
Please continue to pray for our troops around the world and their families back home.
|
| Monique Mubiru of Uganda Visits TCM | |
God is so full of surprises! This Christmas, we have been blessed with a visit from my Ugandan "Twin," Monique Mubiru. We have called each other twin sisters because of the unique bond God has created in our lives. We may be from different continents, different races, and cultures, but we have the same Father, we belong to the same Family, and we have similar callings whereby God has joined us in ministry.
A word from Monique Mubiru, Director of Ray of Hope Ministries, Uganda:
My husband, Pastor John Mubiru and I want to thank my sister, Terri Clark, President of Terri Clark Ministries, her husband, Harvey Clark and their family, as well as all the churches and all our friends who have taken on the great task of praying, giving financial support, and all those that have come to Uganda to work in the medical center, evangelism and children's projects.
Because of your support, nearly 200 children are in school and The Ray of Hope Medical Center is providing affordable, as well as free treatment to a bigger number of people than we could help before. Through our hourly health program, airing each Wednesday on the local Family Radio in Kampala, we are educating the masses about disease awareness, nutrition and hygiene care to help prevent illness. Many call in for prayer and come to the medical center for more help.
My heart sings with the Psalmist in Psalm126:1-3. Even though the hospital facility is not yet complete, and not yet fully furnished, we are already seeing a great impact the whole ministry at the center is incurring around the country?I wonder how it will be when fully completed. I strongly believe, and all I can say now is that we are all very blessed to be part of this work which the Lord Himself ordained for us. People are getting a fresh touch of love of Jesus Christ, for it is all in His Name.I am glad to tell you that with your continual support, and by God's grace, we have been able to get a donation of 20 patient beds and 20 mattresses for the new second floor of the hospital. They are being made locally, in Uganda, and they will be ready for use by mid January.
|
When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, We were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing.
Then they said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them."
The Lord has done great things for us, And we are glad.
Ps. 126: 1-3
TRANSPORT?The Ray of Hope ministry has one vehicle, a van, which is used between the hospital, childrenʼs project, the church and Monique's busy schedule. Because it is used for so many purposes, work gets slowed down a lot. We need a second vehicle in the ministry and an ambulance to be available at the Hospital in case of emergencies. Having vehicles of our own will cut down on the expenses and inconvenience of hiring public transportation, saving the ministry both money and time consumed.
COMPLETION AND FURNISHING OF THE HOSPITAL?TCM is collecting donations and medical supplies to ship to Uganda by container. Pray God will continue to bring the Ray of Hope Medical Centre to completion. Donations, and supplies given in the U.S. can be sent to Terri Clark Ministries, Inc. in Arkansas. TCM is a non-profit, 501c3 corporation. We are praying for this effort to be completed in Feb. 2009.
FINANCIAL BREAKTHROUGH?so that we will be able to manage the workload as the Lord leads us to help His people. We need monthly supporters to help us continue the support we send to Uganda and accomplish our work here in the U.S. (Call TCM Office to for auto-deduct from your Visa/MC. Or make checks payable to Terri Clark Ministries, Inc.
All contributions to Terri Clark Ministries, Inc. are tax deductible.
At two years of age, little Alisha was trapped in a house fire. Desperately, her mother pulled her out of the flames, badly burned on her head and hands. She had her life, but all of her fingers and hair were completely gone. Scars developed on her upper body as she went through the treatment and healing process at local hospitals. Alisha's father died in the fire, and was no longer around to help financially, so Alisha's mom did what she could to pay the medical bills. But, because of her destitute poverty, the hospitals finally stopped giving treatment.
Due to her physical appearance, many of the children in the community were frightened and ran from Alisha. She was not accepted and did not feel loved. At the urgings of her friends from the neighborhood, Alisha came to the Saturday Bible Program at Christ Centered Church. At first, the children were apprehensive about the new little girl with scars on her face. But the teachers explained to the children what had happened to Alisha and why she did not look as they did. The children quickly got past the differences and saw the sweet spirit behind the scars. All the children encouraged her to talk to Moses, the Program Director. He talked to her about having her mom bring her in to be registered for the sponsorship program through Terri Clark Ministries, Inc. so she could go to school.
Alisha's mother was hesitant because of the way the other children in the community reacted to her daughter's appearance, but finally she agreed after seeing the acceptance and love by the children in the program. Alisha's mother brought her daughter to Monique Mubiru to register her in the Sponsorship Program. She asked Monique, "How will she ever receive a sponsor? No one will want her." But Monique encouraged her. She told the worried mother, there are many compassionate people, and she would get a sponsor, adding, "Don't allow Alisha to be an outcast." Monique, a compassionate nurse, herself, also invited her to bring Alisha to the Ray of Hope Medical Center for treatment.
Almost immediately after posting Alisha's story and picture on our website, Melinda Payne of Nevada chose her for sponsorship. Since starting in the sponsorship program in November of 2007, Alisha has become a loved and integral part of the lives of her classmates. She has learned to write using the small amount of her remaining thumb and is doing well in her studies. Alisha regularly attends the Saturday Program with great joy and resolve, and has come to love Jesus and thank Him for His goodness to her. This once outcast girl has been transformed from a frightened child with open wounds, to a loving and joyful child who smiles through the scars and shines with the love of Jesus.
|
|
