Our Heroes Finish Strong

Do you wonder what it must be like to golf 100 holes in one day, running up and down a hilly course for 11 hours, swinging over 500 times with your clubs on your back? Do you ever wonder what it must feel like to have the opportunity to raise $200, 000 for a cause that is near and dear to your heart.

As they finish the last hole of golf, our heroes, Jodi Reimer and John Burns share what the experience of doing the  golf-a-thon was like for them this year. The passion and exhilaration in their faces is so moving as they explain what kept them going.

Current residents of the Mercy Ministries home,  Mercy Graduates and members of Relate Church , came out over the course of the day to cheer on Jodi and Pastor John

Jodi and John with residents, graduates and staff of Mercy Ministries

We would like to join pastor John and Jodi in thanking everyone who who contributed to helping them reach their $200,000 goal. Every dollar will go towards Mercy Ministries of Canada’s free residential program that gives hurting young women the opportunity to experience God’s unconditional love and life transforming power!

Doing the “Impossible” to be her Sister’s Keeper

On Monday June 18th,  Jodi Reimer will join  Pastor John Burns of Relate Church  on his “impossible” 100 hole golf-a-thon to raise money and awareness  for Mercy Ministries of Canada.  This is the third year  she is taking on the challenge, and last year – after she had helped raise $100,000 for Mercy Ministries – Jodi spoke with Idelette McVicker of She Loves Magazine about why she did it.  Idelette describes Jodi as having a grandé heart, and we excerpt her inspiring article below:

Jodi’s grandé heart has now expanded to carry the Hope of restoration and freedom for a whole crowd of young women up and down hills,  determinedly blazing a trail, all the while carrying her own 20-pound load of story.

In her hand

Jodi took over 500 swings of her golf club to raise money for Mercy Ministries last year

Here’s the thing: Jodi is a professional golfer. During a very late night Skype chat Saturday night, Jodi reminds me that this is something she can do. It’s what’s in her hand. “I can golf and I can run,” she says. So, saying yes was a no-brainer when Pastor John Burns asked her to join the second annual golf-a-thon last year.

But since our human inclination is not to jump at the idea of any suffering, even if it’s for a great cause, I asked her: “So what’s the heart connection? Why do you do this?”

Her twenty pounds of story has been heavy, but she doesn’t sidestep the answer. Maybe it’s because we’ve crisscrossed the world together or maybe because it’s simply time to share more of her story, but she moves into it:

“It’s almost like my life has been a series of little Mercy stories,” she says.

She carries a story of abuse as a little girl and then trying to cope through her teenage years. There’s a story of choosing the wrong crowd, hardcore drug abuse and addiction. There’s also a story of friends and a high school counselor who loved her enough to intervene.

“All my little Mercy stories are independent and yet together they form who I am. I can’t help but see girls who are going through difficult and vulnerable situations and think: Thank God there are some people who are going to benefit from a place like Mercy.”

“God’s been gracious to take me along and bit by bit show me His hand through my life,” says Jodi. “I can see on all the different stages of my life how His hand of mercy has been there.”

Then she says: “If you ask me where my heart is and what that heart connection is, I can’t even describe how important a place like Mercy can be to a young girl.”

The 2011 Golf-a-thon team Jodi Reimer, John Burns and Ryan Schwartz

…Back to the big question of why she’s doing it. “It was an opportunity … I’m doing it for the young girls in my world, to know that they’re loved and valued,” says Jodi. “I feel a very heavy sense of responsibility of the whole Sister’s Keeper piece. We are our sister’s keeper. I’m not OK just sitting back and waiting and watching for someone else to step in.

Inspired? 

You can read the complete article and the poem it inspired at SheLoves Magazine,

Wondering what YOU can do?

You can help Jodi and Pastor John by sponsoring their effort. One inspired supporter has offered to match every sponsorship dollar, giving Jodi and Pastor John the opportunity to raise $200.000  for Mercy Ministries this year.

They are receiving sponsorships at www.relatechurch.ca

Called to Speak Mercy

by Jacki Miller

“…the first job God put in my heart was to raise money for the ministry.  And ultimately that is what Advocates are doing…we are out there raising awareness and planting seeds in hearts for the young women who desperately need our help!”

Jacki Miller was hand picked to raise money for Mercy Canada

I learned about Mercy at a women’s conference in Seattle, that I attend each year.  Nancy Alcorn was there in 2001 and that was the first time I had heard about Mercy Ministries. My first reaction to it was that it was a great ministry to give to – but that was it.  My husband didn’t share my enthusiasm as he prefers supporting local ministries.  But I knew that God had put this ministry in my heart.

Later I heard God say to me that I can be involved in a different way – I could help raise money for this ministry.  So I sent a letter off to the head office in Nashville to see if they would let me come and see the home there first hand, as I could not raise money for something I had not personally seen.  I never got a reply so I dropped the idea and told God, “I tried!”.  Then I went to the annual women’s retreat in Seattle again in the fall of 2002 and Nancy Alcorn was there again!  This time the fire in my heart was too strong to ignore! I knew this was something that I was supposed to be a part of!  So I went to speak with Nancy after she was done speaking and told her that I would like to come and see the Nashville home.  She got right on it and had it set up for me to come!

Nancy Alcorn arranged for Jacki to visit the Nashville home

I was there visiting the home in January 2003.  My husband still didn’t understand why I was getting involved in a ministry that was not local, as that was our focus.  I didn’t understand either, until I was introduced to one of the young women in the home who was the first Canadian girl to stay in a US home.  She was excited to talk to me as a fellow Canadian!  She told me she was from Surrey, from Victory Christian Center (now Relate Church), and that John and Helen Burns were working on bringing Mercy to Canada!  Now it all  made sense!  This is why I was drawn to this ministry! It really is LOCAL!

I have been involved in volunteering in the office since the beginning.    From the time I first started til the date of the opening of the Canadian home it took 7 ½ yrs!  If God would have told be back then that it was going to take that long I would have never made it!  God knew what He was doing!

Along the way my work evolved into becoming the Coordinator of the Advocacy program.  This is truly where my heart is as the first job God put in my heart was to raise money for the ministry.  And ultimately that is what Advocates are doing…we are out there raising awareness and planting seeds in hearts for the young women who desperately need our help!  My spirit just comes alive when I have the opportunity to share with someone personally or a group about Mercy Ministries!  It is like the story of Jesus  in John 4 when Jesus explains to his disciples why he was talking to the woman at the well instead of looking for something to eat!

“My food, said Jesus, is to do the will of Him who sent me, and to finish His work.” 

Being a part of Mercy Ministries is just that to me – it is the food that sustains me.  Hearing the testimonies and seeing the lives changed – there is nothing greater to be a part of!  I am so honoured that God has chosen me for this work!  I am so thankful to have to opportunity to meet these amazing young women and to see the transformation first hand!

Jacki Miller (Centre) with the first group of Mercy Canada residents

If you would be interested in being a part of the Mercy Ministries Advocacy Team – please contact us!  We are looking for individuals who have a heart to see transformation – for lives to be pulled out of darkness…  hearts to raise money and spread awareness for this amazing ministry! Together we ARE saving lives!

For all of YOU who support us financially – I can’t THANK YOU enough!  THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!

Yet Another Life Transformed!

Yesterday was probably one of the most emotionally filled days we’ve had at Mercy for a while.

Former Resident Rebecca Graham shared her testimony and graduated from Mercy yesterday, seven months after leaving for medical reasons.

Former resident Rebecca Graham returned to Mercy to tell her story of restoration and to encourage current residents through their process of healing. Accompanied by her loving husband Darryl, Rebecca led residents and staff in worship before she described her journey of healing through the Mercy Ministries program.

To understand the miracle of the moment you’d have to understand how far Rebecca has come to get to this point. Rebecca is a living testimony of  what God can do with a life surrendered to Him.

A Life Transformed

Rebecca came to Mercy Ministries, last year because she had been battling an eating disorder for years and had been hospitalized because her heart was giving out.  During her time at Mercy Ministries she finally confronted the root cause of her emotional turmoil. Rebecca had been severely sexually and physically abused  as a child and had never told anyone what had happened to her.

As a result of the abuse Rebecca turned to a variety of dysfunctional behaviors including, promiscuity, heavy drinking and the eating disorder that eventually consumed her life, threatened her marriage and kept her from caring for her children.

Current Program Director Rachelle Ashbee, was Rebecca’s counselor during her time at Mercy, and tried to put in words the change in Rebecca since she first met her.

Rachelle, celebrates with Rebecca and Nicola Bartel after her surprise graduation

“Where to begin? Rebecca is why Mercy exists. From the fragile, broken-hearted, woman who walked through the doors, to the confident woman, there is no comparison. I always knew that God was the God of the impossible, but she is evidence of this. What God can do when one surrenders. Rebecca should not be a healthy, functional, thriving woman able to love and be loved. She should not be where she is today, it is only by God’s grace and mercy.

Although she states that she will never understand why she went through what she did, she has made peace with her past and put it to rest. She is NOT the product of her past; her past has not defined or limited her. Rebecca is one of the most courageous and determined woman I know, who has needed her “fight” to survive what life has thrown at her. But oh what God can do with that fight now that she has surrendered to Him.

She no longer has to fight to survive, fight to keep people away, fight to make it look like she has it all together. Rebecca can now fight for mercy, fight for justice, fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. There is a voice that has arisen out of Rebecca that will not be silenced, that will not be put to shame, that will not stop proclaiming what God has done in her life.”

Rebecca’s time at Mercy came to an abrupt end, because she was medically discharged from the program, but yesterday, she formally graduated from Mercy Ministries in a surprise graduation ceremony led by her former counselor Rachelle.

Renewal

Asked for his thoughts about their journey to restoration together Darryl simply states “I got my wife, I never had her or knew her prior to Mercy.”  Rebecca explained:

“We’ve never really had a marriage because I had all these walls up because I thought people would eventually hurt you.  Now we do have a marriage, I can say I love my husband. He’s supported me every step of the way.” Addressing her husband, Rebecca continued “Isaiah 61:7 says ‘…instead of shame and dishonor you will enjoy a double share of honor’ Darryl you are my double share of honor.”

Later in the afternoon, Pastor John Burns led the couple in a simple ceremony to renew their marriage vows, marking the start of a new life together in Christ. There was not a dry eye in the room.

Darryl embraces Rebecca after they renewed their vows (photograph by Rachel Ray Photography)

Rebecca has her second chance at life, a chance to be the mom that she always desired to be but was never capable of; a chance to be a wife to her husband, not out of obligation but out of desire. God is taking Rebecca on a wild journey where He is teaching her about family and motherhood and being a Godly woman. She is now able to live out the potential that God put in her; she is now able to be who God has called her to be and to be used by him. What Satan meant to take her out has only made her stronger.

A Year of Miracles

A Special extended edition of Speak Mercy
to mark a year since the opening of the Mercy Canada home.

It is exactly one year today since the doors of Mercy Ministries opened here in Canada and the first young woman was accepted into our program to find healing and freedom from issues that had controlled her for too long.  To God be the Glory!

A Celebration

An Anniversary Feast

To mark this important milestone, Last Sunday about 150  of Mercy Ministries’ supporters,  friends, graduates and staff  got together on the grounds of the Mercy Ministries home to remember what God has done and give thanks for everything that has happened over the last year.

It couldn’t have been a more perfect day for a celebration.  The sun was out and many supporters already in good spirits from having been at church service.  A wonderful spread of light snacks and sweets put together with love by Alan Koller and a beautifully restful setting created by Clara Atagi made for the perfect atmosphere for a Mercy family reunion.

As Mercy family members arrived, the sound of Jazz Music played by Ed and Salve Dayao of Java Jazz Café kept the mood light as many of those who had been on the journey to see hope renewed in broken lives came together in unity and Thanksgiving.

Special Message

Missing in person were Pastors John and Helen Burns who first had the vision of having a Mercy home in Canada. Away on a well deserved sabbatical, they made sure all who came knew that they were standing with us through a message read out by Nicola Bartel:

Pastors John and Helen Burns

“We’re in Uganda today, but our hearts and thoughts are with all of you as your celebrate this date that marks the anniversary of the Opening of the Mercy Home and all the miracles it represents.

The days behind us have been outstanding…we’ve seen the home finished, a fantastic staff built, and faithful partners have gathered to the vision and we are beyond grateful for everything that has been done and today we stand in awe.

The greatest miracle is the transformed lives of beautiful young women who have come and graduated, who are here in the home right now and who are still coming – the future looks amazing! To God be the glory great things He has done.

Thank you to every one who has stood with them to see their hope and future rise in the purposes of God. They needed you and you said yes – thank you.

To all our beautiful Mercy Girls... We love you… We miss you and look forward to catching up really soon. Have the most incredible day as you celebrate His faithfulness and goodness.”

John and Helen Burns xoxox

Graduates and current residents receive applause from guests for their courage to seek change

Challenges and Cheers

What a year it has been!

With the home built debt free and opened to young women, have come challenges expected and unexpected.  Difficulty finding relief staff has often meant that the amazing and dedicated staff team has put in many long hours to ensure quality care is given to the young women who come through the doors.

Released balloons represent prayer for freedom of the 59 girls in the intake process

Raising the finances for the ongoing costs of running a high quality program has proven to be quite the challenge.  There have been a few moments when we have needed a miracle to meet bills, and each time God has been faithful to come through, sometimes at the very last minute! To God be the Glory!  We are so grateful for our Treasure Builders who continue to provide monthly income for continued ministry to hurting young women.

Part of the story of the last year is told by the fact that Mercy Ministries was granted a 3 year accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitative Facilities (CARF) and is now in the process of certification with the  Canadian Council of Christian Charities (CCCC). These accomplishments are a testimony to the care and excellence that has gone into every aspect of serving the young women that God has entrusted to this ministry.

Of course as we look back on the past year we remember the 59 young women still in the intake process. A reminder of the great and ongoing need for Mercy Ministries in Canada. The need remains to fill the remaining unfunded beds in our current home and open other homes across Canada. Intake Director Marina Sullivan said a prayer for those in the intake process and balloons were released as symbol of their desired freedom.

Changed lives

Graduate Rachel tells her story and experience at Mercy

The biggest cheers of course go up for the changes that God has brought to the lives of young women through Mercy:

• 8 first time commitments to Christ
• 10 lives rededicated to Him
• 6 Water Baptisms
• 11 graduations.

That is almost one graduation, representing a life freed from strongholds, for every month that Mercy Ministries has been open.

To God be the Glory!

Click here to see more pictures of the anniversary celebration

To join in supporting Mercy Ministries please click here.