Speaking Mercy from a Mother’s Heart

Mercy Ministries is blessed with volunteer advocates who represent the ministry out of passion, that sometimes comes from personal experience.  One such volunteer is Johanne Starr, our advocate on the move this month, her story of how she got involved with Mercy and the joy she gets from being an advocate provides another view of  people working behind the scenes to see lives transformed and hope restored.

Johanne's experience of her daughter's struggles makes her a powerful advocate for Mercy

My daughter had long struggled with eating disorders, anxiety, depression and self harm. I had desperately tried to seek help for her for many years with little success.

In 2003 John and Helen Burns had invited Nancy Alcorn to speak at their LifeWomen Conference to launch and bring the vision of  Mercy Ministries to Canada. My daughter and I were at the conference and were introduced to Nancy Alcorn and her team personally.

My daughter was 15 years old and had just found out she was pregnant. Nancy – after hearing her story and history – was full of compassion and offered her a place in one of her homes immediately. Unfortunately my daughter was too anxious to be so far away from home at the time as she suffered from separation anxiety. I then realized on a personal level how critical it was to have a home nearby to reach out to desperate women in need. Fortunately, my daughter kept the baby and my grandson Sean is now eight years old.

Since that time I have watched my daughter continue to struggle with eating disorders. In 2006 she was the victim of assault and rape as a result of a break-in at our home from a perpetrator who had apparently been stalking her. Women in our community need MERCY!

For many years I cried out to the Lord as I watched all three of my daughters struggle and deal with many heart breaking issues. The scripture I would be lead to, described a home of safety, hope, compassion and love. A lighthouse for the hurting and brokenhearted!

Isaiah 32: 16-18
Then justice will dwell in the wilderness
And righteousness remain in the fruitful field
The work of righteousness will be peace
And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.
My people will dwell in peaceful habitation.
In secure dwellings and in quiet resting places.

Mercy is a safe place that unconditionally loves each woman as she works through her issues. They are committed to provide services to allow them to recognize their self-worth and prepare them to reach their full potential. It brings a hope and understanding that many have never had or felt before.

Advocacy brings Joy and Healing

As an Advocate and volunteer for Mercy Ministries it is incredibly heartwarming to hear the giggles and laughter coming from the girls as they do their fitness program with Megan[fitness director] or fellowship with one another. Megan’s smile and uplifting, encouraging words can help you through any circumstance. These young women have endured much pain and heartache! How amazing is it that they can come to a place to be free to laugh and giggle!

I had the privilege of working alongside Musu [director of marketing and development] at a conference. As I shared from my brokenness as a mother I felt healing touch my heart and soul. The staff and women at Mercy are amazing as they yield their lives to bring healing to others and to make a difference. Nicola, the Executive Director, is an amazing woman of God! She is full of love, compassion, insight and understanding! You are a changed person by just knowing her. She has a powerful anointing on her life to see lives change.

I have a passion to see women set free! It is an honor to promote Mercy Ministries to our community!

Dancing in the Light

By Musu Taylor-Lewis

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Romans 12:2

The residents in the Mercy Ministries home have come from a variety of backgrounds, many for whom ordinary, enjoyable activity has been corrupted by sin in a way that  takes away their ability to enjoy the gifts God gives to us.  Recently during fitness class at the Mercy home, a dance lesson turned into a powerful picture of how God can redeem His talents and gifts when they are turned over to Him

…Knowing they were going to do dance lessons for their fitness class made some of the residents nervous. One resident in particular had come from a background where dance was used to promote and glorify sin and she was unsure of how dance fit into her new life, committed to Christ.

The lesson was led by another resident, who was professionally trained in dance. She had choreographed a dance to the song “I Can Only Imagine” by MercyMe. As they learned the dance together and began to move to the song of worship, Fitness Director, Megan Gahan witnessed a transformation take place:

Fitness Director Megan Gahan

“Seeing the girls work together to create such a beautiful expression of worship for their Creator was incredible, and a memory I will always treasure. I loved seeing the joy on the faces of those who had been so anxious coming into the class, as they learned how dance can be used for His glory.  Understanding how to use our bodies to honor Christ is a truly unique part of Mercy Ministries’ program, and one I feel so blessed to lead through the Fitness Department.”

A  God-given gift, once used to glorify sin, is transformed into a means of worship, to be enjoyed in the light of God’s promise of eternal life!

Within the safe environment of Mercy Ministries a young woman is given the opportunity to renew her mind about what it means to dance.  She will be free to explore her talent without conforming to the dance patterns of the world; instead, dance will be transformed into one of the many ways in which she can enjoy the One who created her. A lovely reminder of the way lives are transformed and hope restored at Mercy.