We are home safe and sound, jet-lagged and thankful. The Linwood House Ministries’ Adventure to Europe is already a memory in the hearts and minds of the adventurers (Gwen, Britni, Emma, Karen, Diana, Donna, Anna, Robyn, Idelette) and the senders and pray-ers who have faithfully journeyed with us. Our minds have been stretched, our hearts have been broken and our territory has been enlarged as we shared our lives and ministry with women in Europe and they shared their lives and ministries with us. Both parties have been enriched and challenged. We know as we have oriented ourselves to home this week that it is the end of this journey, and yet it also marks the beginning of a new journey. The new journey begins with the question, “What now?” and begs us to process what we have seen and experienced on this trip. How do we stay connected? How do we support, inspire and help one another to persevere and do “even greater things” in the days ahead?
We have looked into the face of prostitution, trafficking, destination countries, sending countries, poverty, corrupt government, legalized prostitution and the effects, the church and justice, and are more than ever determined to do our part “to journey with women into the hope of their story”. We will not stop until all women are released to be who God created them to be; equal and free, both here in our own nation and beyond.
We experienced safe places where women can heal and become whole as we visited with Alabaster Jar, The Café in Berlin, Herz Werk in Vienna, The Church of Serbia and Slovakia, and the Choose Life Center in Novi Sad. We met strong, courageous women who believe in God’s power to bring healing and wholeness and who choose to stand for justice in their communities and nations at great cost. We heard the stories of the “ones” who have been freed from lives of enslavement.
We realized as we shared our own story of Linwood House Ministries that we are part of a much larger global story. The provision of safe places at The Great Room and Linwood House, the building of relationships and trust, the creative ways of bringing value and dignity through art and music to women are some of God’s ways of bringing freedom to those who are devalued, abused, violated and sold. Our story was received as an inspirational gift by the women of Europe.
More than ever, we are aware that there is much to do as everyone does their part here and throughout the world. Everyone can effect change. Will you continue to do your part and journey with us?
My deep felt thanks:
- To those who provided financial support, prayers and encouraging words as we travelled these past two weeks.
- To our hosts and hostesses who welcomed us into their country, lives, and ministries.
- To our organizers, Anna and Sheldon Armitage.
- And most of all to the 8 amazing women who travelled with me to Europe; Emma Strobell, Britni Ludwig, Robyn McVicker, Karen Reed, Diana Christou, Donna Cain, Anna Armitage, Idelette McVicker. The gift of their story, their openness to share, their vulnerability, their talents and resources were all part of God’s plan to bless the women of Europe.
Yesterday I received an encouraging email from Vesna, our host in Novi Sad:
Dear sister,
Thank you, thank you for coming to our country, traveling so far away and for sharing your hearts with us. And what a beautiful hearts you have! You have served us well, your Serbian sisters, may you all be blessed for that!
I hope that rest of the journey was fruitful and encouraging and that you have many new sisters here in Europe! Please let me know of the rest of your trip. Also I want to thank you for the donation that you gave to us. It will be spent wisely where is the most needed at the moment. Thank you all!
And I do not have time right now but I just need to quickly tell you what had happened yesterday! And let me tell you this has never happened before.
A girl 26 year old came to our home, she is a drug addict but also a prostitute. We have spent 4 hours talking to her.
A taxi driver, brother in Christ whose wife was at the seminar that you held, and who heard all about it, met this girl, driving her around and he guessed what is going on. He shared about his own addiction and Teen Challenge program and gave her our phone to talk to us if she wants to get out of all that madness. So she came. And let me tell you she is a beautiful human being.
Please pray! She needs so much love, she is afraid that we will reject her as all the other people. She is not very positive about going to the Rehabilitation center. Please pray! She is at the moment with my sister in law, Maja. Her name is 'K'.
I will send you some news soon.
Much much love
Vesna Radeka
Choose Life Center
Serbia
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