February 2019 E-newsletter

RESCUED WITH LOVE

Jen's * mother had been raped at thirteen, resulting in Jen's birth. Her mother married shortly afterward and seven additional children were born. Eventually her mother and step-father separated and he invited Jen to come and live with him while attending college. During Jen's first semester, she met a young man, fell in love and became pregnant, resulting in her dropping college to marry the father of her child. Both she and her husband had known of the Sabbath but "never embraced God's calling for their lives." Over time her husband began shooting drugs, creating a climate of paranoia, abuse and isolation, resulting in Jen becoming a prisoner in the home with her now 4 children.

After years of heated arguments and physical altercations, her husband was arrested and jailed. Once he was released, Jen went back to him like many battered women do. As her husband resumed his abuse of the family, Protective Services took the children into protective custody leaving Jen crying out to God for help.

Forcing Jen to ride with him on his truck driving job, one day her husband left her stranded on the side of an interstate with no money, no food, and no idea of what to do. Soon a car pulled up and a perky lady motioned for Jen to hop in. The next day a local church delivered food and water presenting her with a bus ticket back to her home in Georgia.

Arriving safely, Jen found a job, an apartment and focused on getting her children back. Without furniture or a stable vehicle, Jen knew she wouldn't be allowed to have her kids return home. Praying for help, the next morning she woke up with a clear vision: "I must call a local Sabbath-keeping church." Finding an Adventist church, she spoke with the church secretary asking if any furniture and dishes were available. Doubtful of a return call Jen was awakened in the morning by a knock at the door. To her amazement a beaming lady handed Jen a box of dishes, inviting her to church. As Jen went she became convicted that this church loved and cared for her. Within weeks, her children were back in her arms and enrolled in the Adventist church school. A local Adventist family took Jen and her family to work and school daily. Thanking God every day for her church family which provided support for her children's Adventist education, Jen now has a driver's license and a donated car.

Jen's story shows how each school and church can transforms lives. Gifts from dedicated members make our schools and churches places of refuge, healing and salvation. This is just another one of God's Amazing Stories here in the Georgia-Cumberland Conference. Remember-- no other Adventist ministry does as much to reach people with the Gospel and Adventist hope as you and your conference.

*Names and locations have been changed for privacy