For You Have Been a Stronghold to the Poor

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Worship with Michael“For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat; for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall, like heat in a dry place. You subdue the noise of the foreigners; as heat by the shade of a cloud, so the song of the ruthless is put down.” Isaiah 25:4-5

Do you find the current state of affairs perplexing? Disappointing to say the least? My heart is deeply troubled by all that is taking place across our own nation, as well as the nations of the world today. While the evil in our world is nothing new, it seems to be increasing in intensity and scope. And, more often than not, women are caught in the cross hairs of such evil. All of this would seem more than we can possibly bear, if it were not for the Promise of our God. He promises to be a Stronghold to the poor, yes, a Stronghold to the needy in his or her distress. He is their (and our!) shelter from the storm and shade from the heat!

Women in the Window International trusts Him to do just that as we include two ministry partnerships here in the United States in our field of service this Summer— 1) the Lakota Sioux native American tribe and 2) Muslim background believers (MBB’s) from the Arab Peninsula living in a gateway city. We are grateful that God has opened these doors of ministry to people who are seeking shelter from their storms, and shade from the blast of heat caused by the evil perpetrated upon them. Some of the statistics describing the condition of the Lakota Sioux parallel the peoples of Afghanistan and Somalia. Statistics tell us that nearly 50% of all Lakota Sioux women have experienced abuse in one of several forms. Yet, our God is doing a great work among them and many are coming to Christ.

Likewise, MBB women are quite eager to learn and grow in their newfound faith in this God who is a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy and a shade from the heat. WiW will provide training to empower and equip them to understand their dignity in Christ, and to share this Truth with members of their own families, communities and nations. Many of these women travel to and fro to their own homelands as they become messengers of Hope in ways that are biblically sound and culturally correct; in places we are no longer permitted!

Please join with us in prayer for these trainings, plus upcoming trainings in the 10/40 window:

  1. North Africa women leaders—micro-enterprise, July 25 – August 1
  2. Lakota Sioux Native Americans—spiritual, health and economic empowerment, July 26 – 31
  3. Arabian Peninsula women leaders—trauma healing, August 11 – 15

PLUS—Plans are well underway for four trainings in South Asia and trauma healing training in North Africa/Middle East in the fall, followed by the Horn of Africa in November/December. Please pray for God to order our steps, and richly provide all that we need to overcome evil with good—and show forth Jesus!