Transformed by Giving: One Supporter’s Story

Recently we received an email from a supporter that left us so amazed at how God works, that we just had to share it with you!

One of Nancy Alcorn’s favorite scriptures is “give and it will be given to you,” that is why Mercy Ministries is committed to giving 10% of every dollar raised to other ministries. Yet even we were surprised by the testimony from one of our Treasure Builders who’s transformation came, not from coming to Mercy Ministries but by giving! The Lord never ceases to amaze us.

“I am writing to share with you how my donation to help these MERCY girls has actually transformed MY life. When I started my $100 monthly donation I chose Mercy because I was struggling with an addiction to cocaine. I felt alone, hopeless, helpless and that God had left me. This went on for two years. I saw my life slipping away. I had even become friends with a good dealer and he would bring sandwich bags full, for free- almost daily.

But God never left me – He started taking people away from me so He could be near me. At one point, my dealer went on vacation and I had a hard time getting my hands on drugs. I started getting horrible withdrawals and felt like I was going to die. I thought the craving would never leave. When I was in withdrawal, I would take all kinds of prescription drugs (anxiety pills, sleeping pills…) I don’t know how I woke up, I tried so hard to take as much as possible so I wouldn’t wake up. My behaviour got very strange. I was very paranoid and my mom thought I was becoming mentally ill.

Reading Nancy Alcorn’s book gave Amery hope

After I started making my donations to Mercy Ministries, I went from not leaving my room, not eating, to being around people and my family, watching movies in a common area. I turned my $300-$500 a day habit to $180, down to $120 and now NOTHING. I read two of Nancy Alcorn’s books: “Mercy Moves Mountains” gave me hope that God can restore the worst of the worst. He never lets go no matter how far gone we are and we are meant to share our stories to give others hope. Reading “Echoes of Mercy” about how Nancy was saved and Mercy Ministries was started; her character and integrity became an example to me.

NOW, I have no craving or desire AT ALL for cocaine (THAT IS 100% GOD). I actually got violently ill the last time I drank and threw up when I smoked. God is a good God! I never thought I could escape any of these TEMPORARY highs. Now I wake up to a new career that I love. I know I get favour at work because I give. I was unemployed for 8 months but somehow always made my donation. Please tell these girls that I love them and I pray for them. They were strong for me when I couldn’t be; I am strong for them when they can’t fight anymore. Don’t ever think God is ignoring you; He is just getting people and things in place.

I want people to know they can come out of the pit bigger & better than before. If my past touches one life or brings change- I know God uses everything for good! My decisions nearly destroyed me but His grace is sufficient!

Love Always,

Amery”

“He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness,  and broke away their chains. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron. (psalm 107: 14 – 16)”

A Summer Celebration of Miracles

Last Sunday, under sunny skies and a cool breeze, board, staff, supporters and graduates of Mercy Ministries gathered to celebrate and thank God for everything that He has done over the last year. After enjoying delicious barbequed delicacies and cool drinks, supporters settled in to hear ministry updates from Executive Director Nicola Bartel.

Supporters enjoy a delicious barbecue and each other’s company

Of course the biggest reasons to celebrate are the lives that have been transformed and the hope that has been restored, to broken lives. 8 young women rededicated their lives to God and 7 were water baptized in the last year alone. Graduates (one who came from Edmonton for the occasion!)  and current residents stood to applause for their courage.

Graduates and residents look on in support as Jenn shares her story

2012 graduate Jenn DuLong shared her moving story of freedom, from sexual promiscuity, and an eating disorder through the counseling, care and biblical teaching at Mercy Ministries.  Then she told of a miracle God performed in her life as part of her journey, just as she was beginning to blossom within the security of the Mercy home:

“At 17, I had started having severe panic attacks, and I developed obsessive-compulsive disorder. I was so afraid of germs that I would wash my hands until they would literally bleed; I would never touch doorknobs; I would never shake hands; and if someone at my mother’s house got sick I would go stay with my dad for a couple of weeks until the sickness was out of the house. When I first came to Mercy I had to wear gloves in order to participate in meals and wouldn’t shake hands.”

The Christmas after I came to Mercy Ministries, someone anonymously donated a plane ticket to me so I could visit my family in Nova Scotia for Christmas – I don’t know who they are but thank you if you’re here. At first, I was really concerned about being away from Mercy; however, God surprised me with a very special Christmas present. While I was home, God randomly took away my obsessive-compulsive disorder. Out of no where, I was able to eat without washing my hands, shake others’ hands, and take communion for the first time in over 10 years! I was initially in shock; all I could do was cry and worship God for the two weeks I was home.  Imagine Mercy staff surprise when I came back after Christmas and had a bite of an apple without washing it!”

“The fact that this happened while Jenn was away from the Mercy home is a reminder that, it is God who does the work, not us.”said Nicola after the testimony that followed her report  to supporters. Nicola reported on the many ways God had provided  and worked through Mercy Ministries since the first anniversary celebration last August. Some of the highlights include:

Nicola Bartel Shares highlights from the last year of ministry

• The family of Ed Spence, an enthusiastic supporter of Mercy ministries who passed  away suddenly from a heart attack,  donated money to construct an external building to be used for counselling  and transitional care.
• Mercy Ministries Canada became the first Mercy home to have a doctor who makes weekly house visits.
• A generous businessman donated a second van and paid for the first year’s insurance. Giving us enough transportation to fill the home to its capacity of 20 girls!
• In 2011 Mercy Ministries of Canada miraculously met budget for the first time in its history.

A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. (psalm 11:25)

Thank you for the refreshing you’ve brought into the lives of young women who need Mercy!

A Good and Faithful Servant

Anne Marie with Mercy Ministries founder Nancy Alcorn at the gala celebrating the opening of the first Canadian home.

This month’s advocate on the move, Ann Marie Davison,  is one of the most inspirational advocates for Mercy Ministries of Canada.

Since she first heard about Mercy Ministries and decided she wanted to be a part of the ministry, she and her husband Mark have never wavered in actively supporting the ministry. Together, they have given  time, money,  talents, and prayers to see young women’s lives transformed.

Ann Marie had heard about Mercy Ministries before the vision had been cast to build a home in Canada, and her determined prayers and active work helped us realize the dream of completing the first Canadian home in Surrey.

This is how she explains the incredible journey:

“I first saw Nancy Alcorn on TV on the Life Today program in April 2000.  I was incredibly impressed with her integrity and the quality of Mercy Ministries, and I wanted to be part of it.  I emailed Mercy Ministries that very day to ask if I could support the ministry in Canada, and they replied that Mercy Ministries was not a registered charity in Canada.  So I asked God to bring Mercy to Canada.

I’m sure many other Canadians said that prayer after seeing that program with Nancy.  A few years later, I saw on John and Helen Burns’ TV show that Nancy was coming to the Life Women Conference.  I registered, believing I would get to meet Nancy.  At the Conference, Nancy shared her story and testimonies of Mercy grads. I was completely committed to becoming a Mercy supporter.  I signed up to be a Treasure Builder the first night it was announced that Mercy would be coming to Canada.  I was overjoyed when I heard about the Mercy Advocate program because it gave me a way of supporting Mercy Ministries other than just financially.  I was blessed to receive training as part of the first group of Mercy Advocates, and later to participate as a trainer myself.”

Anne Marie takes registration at Run for Mercy 2012.

Since taking that training as an advocate of Mercy Ministries, Ann Marie has served tirelessly to spread the word about Mercy Ministries  serving at over 40 events in the last seven years alone! She has used her gift of connecting with people to help bring healing and hope to hurting young women, and she has been blessed in return for her commitment.

“I most enjoy knowing that I’m serving God in a place He wants me to be.  All of the Advocates are wonderful to spend time with.  I’ve attended events as an Advocate that have blessed my life.  Talking is something I’m good at, and I just love telling people about how wonderful Mercy Ministries is.

Mercy Ministries brings freedom, not just recovery, because it is based on biblical principles.

Two verses that jump to mind are when I think about Mercy Ministries are:

Ann Marie with her husband Mark

Romans 12:2 “Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (NLT)”

and John 8:36 “So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. (NLT)”.

Thank you, Mark and Ann Marie!

The entire team at Mercy Ministries of Canada honours you!

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

You Can Speak Mercy Too: New AdvocateTraining Coming Soon

If you are passionate about Mercy Ministries of Canada,  you’re probably already an advocate in some way.

So let’s make it official!

Over the years, our amazing national team of Mercy Ministries Advocates – Like our advocates on the move Lori , Jacki, Joanne and Laureen as well as many others – have been a HUGE part of the Mercy story. In fact, they’ve often been the difference maker.  Advocates seek out and give presentations to local churches, community groups and schools about our work. They speak out on behalf of the girls who need Mercy. They help at events. They work at conferences at our resource table. They write letters. They fundraise. They tell hurting women in their community about Mercy. They pray.  They get parents or ministry leaders that need support in touch with us. They brainstorm new ideas and then help make them into reality.

There isn’t much our passionate team of Advocates won’t do to support this ministry and the young women of Canada . They are committed to seeing lives transformed and hope restored in their own communities here in Canada.

If you would like to become an Advocate, here’s how:

1. Click here and scroll down to the Advocate section.
2. Download and fill out the Advocacy application form.
3. You’ll be contacted once we receive your completed form.
4. Participate in the training sessions. We have training scheduled for the evenings of Tuesday June 19th and 26th, from 6 – 9pm at the Mercy Ministries home in Surrey. We will be scheduling across the country as applications come in, so apply today.
5. Advocate for Mercy!

For more information, you can also email us at info@mercyministries.ca or call us at 604-535-1983.

“God uses our broken lives to bring healing, hope, and mercy to others.”

Our current advocate on the move works tirelessly to bring awareness to Mercy Ministries of Canada in her  community of Powell River. Despite being the only advocate in her area, she has been successful in raising funds and bringing others on board as monthly supporters of Mercy Ministries. Lori Brouwer, shares why she has such passion for Mercy Ministries.

Mercy Advocate Lori Brouwer

I first read an article in a Christian magazine about a girl with an eating disorder. She gave her testimony which included the healing she received through Mercy Ministries. I wish I could remember the name of the magazine but… there was also a web link to Mercy Ministries which I checked out. I was impressed with the ministry, its founder and its core issues. I was especially impressed with the fact that Mercy doesn’t ’sell out.’  In other words, it doesn’t take money from organizations that hinder them speaking of the name of Jesus.  

I did all my homework, checking out Mercy Ministries and was deeply moved by God. I just knew I wanted to be a part of this organization.

The Passion of Experience

I could relate to many of the struggles the young girls had because of my own background. I knew it was Jesus who had healed me. I know that God never wastes a hurt so long as you turn it over to Him and I knew that my life, my hurts could be used for His glory, to help someone else find healing, in Jesus name.

During the process of checking out Mercy, I discovered that they were trying to bring Mercy to Canada. I was excited about that as I love getting in on projects on a foundation level.

The Joy of Advocacy

I enjoy everything about being an advocate! I loved following the progress of the building of the home, love reading the testimonies of the girls and love to tell others about what God is doing through Mercy Ministries.

Lori lives in Powell River with her husband Stu

I would like people to know that God uses broken people all the time to get His message out! God loves, He heals, He restores and redeems lives, to be a part of that is absolutely amazing! I am always so amazed and stand in awe of our Lord who chooses to use us, and our broken lives to bring healing, hope and mercy to others. One person can make a difference! One dollar can make a difference. Listen to God, obey His promptings, receive His Blessings, watch Him change lives!

Thank you so much for your faithfulness to the call, Lori. We love you and we appreciate you!

Here are the Run for Mercy final numbers!

Mercy Ministries of Canada feels like a big, wonderful family for us, and so it’s always a joy to gather together, to catch up on what God is doing in the lives of the Mercy graduates and residents, tell stories, hug each other in real life, and, of course, to run or walk for Mercy!

This year’s Run for Mercy was amazing! Congratulations to all of you!

We’ll have a few stories about the day to share over the next few weeks but we know you’re most interested to hear the numbers right now. We do NOT have final times for all runners yet, only our winners. As soon as we have the final times and all of the photos, we’ll post the link here and on our Facebook page so check back.

Total raised by the end of the day on Saturday: $48,700

Top fundraising team: Congratulations to the Jericho Joggers $6,535

Top Individual Fundraiser Patricia Pearce $5000 – we’ll even have a post from Patricia this week!

Congratulations to all our runners, walkers and joggers and especially to our winners

10k Top Runners

Male

1^st Ian Smith  in a time of 38.55 minutes 

2nd  David Yakishiro

3^rd Glen Murray

Female

1^st Stephanie Musgrove in a time of time 52.01 minutes

2^nd Lauren Doubroff

3^rd Kristin Brown

5k Top Runners

Male

1^st Willy Phiri

2^nd Jason Alcott

3^rd Jordan Elenko

Female

1^st Veronica Fox

2^nd Glenda Lush

3^rd Jade Candle

There aren’t enough exclamation point to express how THANKFUL we are right now! (Well, thankful and TIRED!) Thank you to every one that showed up to run, walk, wheel, and cheer on Saturday. Thank you to our tireless, cheerful, hard working volunteers! Thank you to our staff for organizing such an incredible event. Thank you to our sponsors! Thank you to our donors! Thank you to each one of you that followed along and cheered the Run from afar. What an amazing day.

Donations towards the Run for Mercy will be accepted online until this Friday May 18th at www.runformercy.org/canada2012.

I Run for Mercy Because…

On May 12th, people from all over the Lower Mainland will be joining together to Run for Young Women who need the opportunity to experience God’s unconditional love and life-transforming power.

Each one will come for their own reasons. Graduates who have experienced Mercy for themselves, parents of young women who have struggled, friends, church leaders, and volunteers all coming together to support the freedom of young women who struggle.

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Andrea Ross (left) with Mercy Ministries Founder Nancy Alcorn

“I am running for Mercy Ministries because this program changes girls’ lives. I personally have experienced freedom and a changed life because of Mercy Ministries and I am so grateful beyond words for this amazing program. The girls that walk in the doors of Mercy are so valuable and all of them are trapped, they need a holistic answer, and Mercy Ministries is able to give that to them. Mercy would not be able to operate without financial support and that is why I am running. I am running for their freedom.”  Andrea Ross (Mercy Graduate)

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Mercy Ministries' Volunteer Jena Klemke

I am running because, God is truly doing some incredible things with Mercy Ministries, and it so wonderful to hear the difference the ministry is making in lives of girls all over North America. I am so excited to be a part of this amazing event. I became involved with Mercy Ministries last year when a friend of mine asked me if I would like to volunteer for the Run for Mercy. I am so thankful that she did, because it is such an amazing cause. The run is a great way for people to make a difference in a fun and social environment. As a team we have been working hard to make this a fun and memorable day for everyone. Look forward to seeing you all there  
Jena Klemke (Volunteer)

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No matter where you are on May 12th you can join in the Run for Mercy and help spread the word about the amazing life-transforming work at Mercy Ministries

Register Today and the tell us, here or on our Facebook page  why  you Run for Mercy?

On your Marks… Get Set… Go!

Generosity Lives On

By Nicola Bartel

Nicola Bartel remembers a faithful supporter

Sometimes individuals cross your path that not only have an impact on your life but they inspire you to go above and beyond! Ed Spence is one of those individuals whom I had the privilege of knowing.

Ed Spence was one of Mercy Ministries’ biggest cheerleaders. He first heard of Mercy through  a presentation at his church. Ed was generous and began donating funds  from his personal ministry, collecting bottles and cans and giving to a variety of charities and individuals who were in need. Ed received a copy of “Echos of Mercy” and was so moved, and inspired, we soon became one of the  greatest recipients of his generosity.

The biggest gift to Mercy was Ed’s choice to regularly buy multiple copies of Echos and pass them on to people in his world of influence.  On several occasions, he sent flowers to the girls and staff to cheer them on, and regularly showed up to our events along with his family!

Sadly, Ed passed away suddenly this past December. He has left an amazing legacy behind and a challenge to us all to do what we can to help others. If I can think of a verse to describe Ed it would be John 15:13, “Greater love has no one, than this, than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

Ed’s extended family has generously donated $10,000 so that we can renovate a small on-site building to be used as our Intake Department.

Ed Spence, with his wife Joanne and mom Connie at the 2010 Mercy Walk

We will have a plaque on the building in  memory of Ed Spence with a scripture chosen by his wife and daughter.  Any left over funds will go towards the building of a gazebo in the back yard for the beautiful residents to use as a shelter from the sun and rain.

Our residents love to read and do their assignments outside in our peaceful back yard. A gazebo would make it  possible for them to do that more often. The men’s group at Riverside Community Church, where Ed attended, has volunteered their time and expertise to build this and to help raise funds to complete a gazebo.

I invite each and every one of you to consider making a contribution on behalf of Ed to ensure we will be able to complete this project, doing our part to give life to John 15:3 by laying down our lives for our friends!

Click here to make a donation today. Request “Gazebo fund” or “on behalf of Ed Spence” to help finish the gazebo for our residents