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“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation].

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls.”  MATTHEW 11:28-29 AMP

Thank you for your prayers for our Women in the Window International team here in the Middle East! We arrived safely with uneventful travel, luggage included ????.

We are now halfway through our first week of training. What a joy and privilege to serve these faithful women who tirelessly serve others. The women we are serving are from Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Egypt. They work among Hazidis, Armenians, Druze and neighboring nations and people groups.

Women in the Middle East are under a heavy burden. The religious rituals of the majority religion here are oppressive and harsh, especially towards women. Our ministry partners are tirelessly working to replace the lies and burdens placed upon them with truth, peace and love.

Please pray for us to bring the refreshing rest of God’s Word, servant leadership lessons and a very real sense that they are deeply loved and cherished by God Himself. And by each of you who make this possible through your prayers and support!

With grateful and overflowing hearts,
Carolyn, Lara and Kim

God’s plans are always good. I like to say that they are always better, yet always different than what I expected! Surely Simeon and Anna innately understood this to be the case when they held the infant King of the Universe, Jesus the Messiah, in their arms. Simeon burst into praise saying, “For my eyes have (now) seen Your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of Your people, Israel.” Even Mary and Joseph were amazed by his remarks about Jesus. Anna continued the celebrating as she praised God, giving thanks as she spoke about Jesus to all who would listen, especially those who were looking for Redemption! (Luke 2:25-38)

The eyes of their understanding opened to “see” that the Messiah was not only for Israel but He is the light of revelation and the source of redemption for all people in all places and at all times, including women!

Women in the Window International will send a team to the Middle East to lead servant leadership trainings for more than 50 women leaders from 7 nations this coming week. Will you join us in prayer that we will continue in the prophetic pattern of Simeon and Anna—announcing good news of great joy to the women who are most often oppressed, even abused, and always underserved in this region?

Here are the specific prayer requests of our team, Lara, Carolyn and Kim:
–Prayers for the team–

• That we have a generous portion of stamina and energy each day, safe travels and good health.
• That we present each servant leadership lesson clearly and in a manner that is easily comprehended and reproduced by the conference attendees among the women they serve.
• That we may be honoring to ladies attending and to one another on our WiW team.
• That we serve the WiW ministry purpose to replace poverty and injustice with dignity and purpose in Christ among women in the Arab world.
• That the Holy Spirit works through us so that God is glorified and Jesus is proclaimed.

–Prayers for the women leaders attending–

• That new MENA women leaders will be identified; existing leaders strengthened and empowered to lead leaders!
• Finally, that each woman leader we minister to will bubble over with joy like Anna, the prophetess in Luke chapter 2, as she experiences a personal encounter with the Lord.

Thank you for your prayers and support that make all of this possible.

Your because I’m His,
Kim

Women in the Window International is on the move again-across the globe and into
the “window”. We have 5 international trips and trainings this Fall. We need your fervent prayers! You will find specific requests below. But first, let’s turn to learn from Dorian. . .

The last week has been harrowing here in South Florida. Millions of people watched and waited for a storm named Dorian to invade and penetrate and potentially desecrate our communities. Like an unwanted guest; a villain and evil intruder, we hoped upon hope that Dorian would make other plans. We watched with horror as Dorian not only invaded our neighbors in the Bahamas but penetrated every possible fortress and destroyed nearly every investment—even taking the precious lives of both young and old.

We were told that Dorian would choose a turn to the north rather than visiting us with similar horrors. But these storms are notably unpredictable. We waited, we watched, and we prayed. A lot.

Dorian did turn to the north, and now other communities are waiting, watching, and praying. And our prayers are with them. And with the precious people in the island nation of the Bahamas!

I’d like to share some valuable lessons that I learned from Dorian and its pathway through the seas. Here are 3 take-aways that come readily to mind:

1. Dorian paused before turning. Pausing or resting may seem a waste of our precious time. Yet unless we pause to consider our steps carefully and evaluate their impact on others, we are prone to make foolish mistakes. Allow yourself time to think, pray, and pause before turning!
2. Dorian was “faithful” with every bit of its energy. Dorian was relegated a historic post as one of the two most powerful Atlantic Ocean hurricanes, reaching 185 mph. You, too, have an immense amount of energy to influence and impact others. What are you doing with your time, your talents and your treasures? It’s never too late to turn again and seek to use every bit of your energy to bless and advance the Kingdom of God as you share the Good News of His love!
3. Dorian’s turn brought hope to some and caution to others. Not everyone will agree with the turns that you take. Not everyone agreed with Jesus, and yet He paid the ultimate Price for each person to inherit eternal and abundant life. Let God’s Word and His Holy Spirit direct you. You might not win the approval of many, you can be an instrument of the Hope that lasts forever.

Dorian is a storm and does not make its own choices. But we can, and we must, learn to make choices that will benefit and bless those in our pathway; those we have the opportunity to both influence and instruct. Will we bring a pathway of blessing and peace, or a pathway of destruction? The choices we make on a daily basis just might be every bit as serious as the turning of Dorian.

Upcoming Women in the Window International Trainings:
Lebanon—September 23 – 30 Servant Leadership Development for Middle East women leaders.

Egypt—September 23 – October 7 Servant Leadership for Women Leaders from North African nations of multiple generations to include Longevity in Leadership & Time Management.
Trainers include Carolyn Olliff, Lara Holt and Kim Kerr

West Africa—October 14-20 Training of Trainers in Economic Empowerment for women from several West African nations. We are delighted to bring next level training to these women leaders!
Trainers include Mindy Blount, Connie Bogner, and Toni Lee

East Africa—November 14-18 Micro-enterprise training for widows. Two of our faithful East African women leaders, Mama Paula and Mama Margaret, will bring a WiW training to our new ministry initiative just launched among the widows of East Africa!

Nepal—December 2-12 Servant Leadership Training for women leaders in two distinct locations of Nepal. PLUS our team will meet with a like-minded ministry regarding future collaboration.
Trainers include Sarah Peters, Sherri Johnston and Shirley Thomas

Stay tuned for more details about our Lakota Native American Women—Trauma Healing training in late November.

As always we couldn’t do this without YOU! Thank you for turning to the Lord on behalf of WiW!!

Yours Because I’m His,
Kim
P.S. The word turn is found more than 1,000 times in the Bible. It’s a fascinating study! Here are two favorites from both the Old and New Testaments as God turns to us, and we turn to Him:

“Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.” Psalm 25:16 ESV

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” Acts 3:19 NIV

Normal—more than just a setting on your dryer.

I well remember the hilarity of Patsy Clairmont’s talk entitled, “Normal is just a setting on your dryer.” This statement framed her side-splitting presentation about human behaviors which clarified the reality that there is no such thing as normal. While this is quite true in just about any area of life, I wonder if there just might be a more “normal” Christian life than most of us experience in the western world?

The book of Acts records the earliest chapters of life for the first Christians. Their lives included much hardship, and yet they experienced great joy! Their daily focus was on sharing the good news of the gospel, bringing many people into His way of Truth, and strengthening and encouraging one another in the faith. At the same time, it was quite common for them to be persecuted as a result of their faith in Jesus. They continued to serve Him, and even to suffer for Him, while enjoying fellowship with one another. This was normal for them!

Yes, normal for Christians in the first century was characterized by both difficulty and unbridled joy. Many of the women we serve in Africa, Asia and the Middle East bear a striking resemblance to this same type of normal. Women in the Window International has the remarkable privilege of serving women who are experiencing a normal Christian life that far surpasses the quality of ours in many ways. Their daily reality holds much suffering, sorrow, limitations and loss. Yet they focus on those things that are eternal—their relationships with God and one another. Their daily realities are much closer to the biblical standard of normal. What a privilege to serve them, and to teach and train them—knowing that all the while we are learning so much more from them…perhaps learning how to be normal ourselves!

Please pray with us for the following Women in the Window International trainings. We will send more specific prayer requests in the coming weeks, but do need your prayers for provision and Christ’s power to be released in each step of our preparation!

• September – Lebanon, Servant leadership training and retreat
• October – Egypt, Next generation leaders’ training
• October – Lakota Native Americans, Trauma healing training
• November – East African widows’ ministry, Training in micro-enterprise
• December – Nepal, Leadership development training

May it be said of us, even as it was said in the book of Acts 19:20, “So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.”

Yours because I’m His,
Kim

As I read through the book of Acts, I find the text is powerfully punctuated with this phrase: This Jesus.

In Acts 1:11, the two angels appeared to the disciples and spoke these words, “This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way. . .” From that point forward, both Peter and Paul took up this phrase to emphasize the uniqueness of Jesus to all who would listen!

On Friday evening, July 19^th, we will gather together in the name of “This Jesus” to pray. We would LOVE to include all prayer requests that you have, so please REPLY to this message with yours!

Here are just a few ways that we found “This Jesus” to be faithful and true on our recent ministry trips:

1. For the first time, Women in the Window International had the privilege of serving alongside one of our supporting churches, First Presbyterian Church of North Palm Beach. Together we encouraged the Pastors of a church plant in association with City to City Church planting movement of Redeemer Presbyterian Church. Tim Keller and his staff launched this church plant located in Athens. What a joy to see the diversity of this thriving church as they launch other ministry points in the city!
2. Many women are coming to Christ through the strong proclamation of “This Jesus” as our ministry partners demonstrate His life through with actions and words among the Middle Eastern refugees.  Our micro-enterprise training was well received and beautifully celebrated.
3. Servant leadership training took place with a group of young women who have pronounced impact among their own generation and the generations to follow. We celebrate the way they embrace “This Jesus” and seek to model His life and works as a city set brightly on a hill.
4. Even abandoned children are catching a glimpse of “This Jesus” as they are cared for by loving adults who provide shelter, food and training towards their own life purpose. Who knows how they might someday serve the Lord even as Timothy, mentored by Paul, went on to help establish the first century Church. Two husbands accompanied our team members and served among the young men from various Middle Eastern nations who now call Greece their home.
5. Women leaders in the Middle East receive valuable health training and they are now eager to impart this same training to others. Health lessons are a valuable tool for both outreach and discipleship/leadership development. Pray that both efforts will be fruitful.
6. North African women have survived much trauma—both through persecution and horrific treatment simply because they are women. Earlier this year WiW provided a trauma healing training for NA women leaders. Pray with us for wisdom about our next steps with ToT.
7. African women leaders are eager to serve among a new ministry focused on serving hundreds of widows. How exciting to see Sudanese women leaders bring their expertise to widows in the Horn of Africa. Pray with us that our outreach to widows will expand throughout the “window!”
8. India is now on the Top Ten list of persecuted nations according to Open Doors. Our WiW Regional Associate is working with our staff to develop a Servant Leader model that will enable them to continue to develop and multiply indigenous women leaders throughout India!

Thank you for your support and prayer that makes all of this possible!! Above all, thank you God the Father, for sending “This Jesus,” to take away the sins of the whole world, and pouring forth your Holy Spirit to chart our course in times of great distress across the globe. We are forever grateful to You!

Yours because I’m His,

Kim

P. S.:  As promised, here is a bit of insight into why Christ came just when He did and how the world was poised to receive AND spread the Gospel so quickly, from Jerusalem to Greece (the official entry point to the western world ????)
Jesus arrived during the Roman Empire’s Pax Romana (the peace of Rome) and as a result all of the known world was united by one language of commerce. The ruins in Greece demonstrate a network of global trade routes with open access to the known world. All of this guaranteed that the gospel could move rapidly in one language and a united culture. This unhindered access propelled the spread of the Good News of “This Jesus” whose crucifixion fulfilled the prophecy of the Lamb who would be slain for our sins in the fullness of time (Galatians 4:4-7)!

The verdict is in!

Neapolis, Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea and Athens. What a life-changing experience we’ve had as we followed the footsteps of Paul.

Our verdict? The message of the Gospel is just as powerful today as it was 2000 years ago! We were transported back in time as we visited the very spot Lydia and other women gathered to pray and we put our feet in the river where she and her family were baptized after hearing the Word of God and opening their hearts to Christ.

Now the time has come to return home!

Please pray with us for the refugees from Syria, Iran, Afghanistan and Iraq we served while here in Greece. Pray for a crystal clear understanding of the Gospel by each and every one as they continue on their journey. We have fallen in love with these amazing people and long for them to personally experience the love of Christ.

Pray for Women in the Window International as we determine our next steps forward here with excellent ministry and church leaders as well as our upcoming trainings in Africa, Asia, America and the Middle East.

Finally, please keep our team of 7 in prayer as we complete our mission and return home early Friday morning.

YES! This is where it happened–the Gospel was launched from here! Stay tuned as together we learn WHY it happened here!

Kim

#celebratewonderWiW

Fully engaged . . . in work!

For some the word “work” is considered a 4-letter word. Not desirable and not attractive. But for those who serve Christ here in Greece, it is anything but! In fact, it is a watchword for the way they serve Christ, one another and the people who cross their path, day in and day out. Some of these are fellow Greek citizens. But in recent years, many are citizens of other nations such as Afghanistan, Syria, Turkey, Iraq and Iran. No matter where they are from, each person is served as this Bible verse describes:

“Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord [always doing your best and doing more than is needed], being continually aware that your labor [even to the point of exhaustion] in the Lord is not futile nor wasted [it is never without purpose].” 1 Corinthians 15:58 The Amplified Bible

Our Women in the Window International team (which includes two men) has determined to be fully engaged in all aspects of this trip and the training we provide while here in Greece. Fully engaged in prayer; fully engaged in fellowship (including some exquisite Greek food) and fully engaged in work! Here are a few photos and updates from our trip this week and prayer requests for the week ahead …

On this World Refugee Day, we rejoice that a group of women refugees were at our first micro-enterprise training. They talked with excitement about their interests and dreams to create income-generating businesses as they received this training from our team—Meg, Lea, Kathy and Carolyn.

The young men had a blast learning new skills and enjoying the undivided attention of our excellent men leaders, Ken and Tom. One of the young refugee boys then turned to express the love he had received to another child.

Servant leadership means we listen more than we speak. And we learn as we teach. That has definitely been the experience of our Servant Leadership training team as we engage the staff of the church and Integration House. Tomorrow is our final day of training for all 3 training components. Please pray:

That each of these precious people who have received our training will implement the principles they’ve learned, turning them into reality that transforms their lives forever.

That our team continues to remain strong in our resolve to fully engage in all aspects of our trip as we continue for several days of stepping in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul here in Greece.

That our hearts are FOREVER CHANGED as a result of this experience to celebrate the wonders of Him!

WiW would like to thank the First Presbyterian Church North Palm Beach contingency for their leadership in all sessions and for their reaching out with love to the refugees and staff.  Please pray for a safe and uneventful trip for Lea as she travels home on Friday.

. . . to Greece!

In the next two weeks our Women in the Window International staff and team will travel to train and serve those who are desperately in need of hope. Stay tuned for regular updates about how God is at work to bring a future hope to the refugees and those who serve them!

Hope
“For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

HOPE is needed INDEED.

Please pray for our Women in the Window and First Presbyterian Church North Palm Beach team as they leave this week to bring the HOPE of JESUS CHRIST to western Europe through trainings on micro-enterprise, servant leadership and special skills training.

As you pray:

Pray for the church in Greece as  – HOPE IS NEEDED.

Pray for the Syrian, Iraqi, Afghan refugees –  HOPE IS NEEDED.

Pray for business affiliations connections – HOPE IS NEEDED.

Pray for an economy that is struggling – HOPE IS NEEDED.

Pray as our team travels to provide tools and inspiration for participants to start their own micro-enterprise businesses.

Pray that the training on Biblical Servant Leadership will give tired and discouraged leaders HOPE as they learn new and practical and restorative leadership principles.

Pray that those who are spiritually lost will find HOPE as they learn God’s truth and love through the Women in the Window Inductive Bible Study.

Pray for our team leading this training (Ken, Carolyn, Meg, Lea, Tom, Kathy, Korrine and Kim). Pray for the receptivity of those who will receive our training.

May God grant ALL a future and a hope as He reveals His plans.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS!

And stay tuned for regular updates. . .

Serving Him with a hope-filled heart,

“Encourage the exhausted and strengthen the feeble. Say to those with anxious heart, “Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; the recompense of God will come, but He will save you.” Isaiah 35:3-4

As we turn our calendars to June, we welcome the joy of a new season. Summer will soon be here.

Are you reading this from somewhere that already feels like summer with temperatures well above 80+ degree Fahrenheit? Or are you experiencing the rainy season in Africa or Asia? Or the heat of the arid Middle East? Regardless of where we are, our hearts are all the same—we need to know the love, the courage, the hope of Christ in each season of our life. Yet, only Christ can encourage the exhausted, strengthen the feeble and say to those with anxious hearts: Do not fear! I am with you! I will save you!

Please pray with Women in the Window International as we enter this new season with hearts overflowing and hands uplifted. 

North Africa team returns rejoicing—
Our Women in the Window International team returns from North Africa where they have had the joy of bringing this message of love, courage and hope to women from the Middle East and North Africa. Their training brought transformation to younger women who encountered the truth of God’s word and the reality of His unique design for women both physically and spiritually. They now feel equipped to meet felt needs of women in the Muslim context while they demonstrate the tangible love of Christ.

Women in the Window International needs your prayers to enable us to encourage the exhausted and strengthen the feeble. 

Kim Travels and Trains in June —
Kim has the privilege of participating in a historic Global Women’s Consultation next week as more than sixty women leaders from fifteen nations gather to rise in the strength of our God together, serving Him, serving women of every region across the globe with a spirit of collaboration and love.
As you can see from my itinerary, I will travel for 4 full weeks in June.

Will you pray for me? Your prayers really are the fuel that enables me to fly on eagle’s wings! Here are my prayer points:

• June 1-7
  • My heart will continually rejoice in the goodness of our God so that I will bring encouragement and strength in each ministry opportunity, both public and private!
  • Clarity from the Lord regarding new opportunities for WiW to directly serve with other global ministries.
• June 7-11
  • God to open doors with Farsi speaking women who are exiled from their homeland of Iran.
  • God to be at the center of plans for future MENA (Middle East/North Africa) network conference for women.
• June 11-14
  • God’s gift for a three-day renewal and writing retreat.
• June 14-28
  • God’s hand in our micro-enterprise, servant leadership and conflict resolution skills training (see following details).

Team Travels and Trains in June—
In mid-June Women in the Window will send another team to western Europe to serve refugee women, youth and families. Please pray for our team departing June 13^th and returning June 28^th  and that they encourage these groups by providing:

• Servant Leadership training to include inductive Bible study on the life and ministry of Priscilla and Aquila
• Micro-enterprise training for refugee women from Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria
• Conflict resolution training for unaccompanied minors.
  • We are privileged to have two men (husbands of our team members) traveling to serve with us this Summer, leading the training for unaccompanied minor young men!

The promises of God’s Word in Isaiah 35:1-4 are especially precious to me and your prayers are too! May God refresh each of you with streams in the desert and a wilderness that literally blossoms into new life.

Did you know that there are 573 Native American tribes here in the United States? Yes! That is correct, 573 tribes and approximately 6.79 million Native American people. They love to tell their stories, and this week, Women in the Window International in cooperation with our Native American sisters and brothers at Red Warrior Ministries is making our way to the Lakota Sioux tribe to offer Trauma Healing as we provide a “safe place” for them to tell their stories of loss, pain and suffering.

Our WiW ministry team led by certified Trauma Healing Trainer, Mary McCormack, and accompanied by Kathy Grodman and Leecy Barnett, is heading to South Dakota tomorrow for a 3-day training. Our hope and prayer is that this training will enable these women to truly grieve the terrible losses, traumas and abuse of their past—and embrace the healing, hope and freedom found only in Jesus Christ.

The American Bible Society trauma healing training materials are biblically based and provide sound counseling practices. Women in the Window team liaison, Lynn Huber, has invited Native American women from both near and far. We need your prayers that they will receive God’s richest blessings.

Please PRAY with us for:

Safety in travel by plane and on the long desolate roads of the reservation (November 20-25)

Effective teaching of all trauma healing training sessions and dramatic healing in the hearts of the Lakota women attending

Anointing on our Women in the Window inductive narrative Bible study of Abigail

God to connect our team members hearts to theirs, that the Holy Spirit would be powerfully present

Participation with Red Warrior Ministries Thanksgiving Feast this coming Sunday, November 24^th

Thank you for your prayers,
Kim
On behalf of our Lakota Team Members