Perseverance is the word for 2023
By Sheryl Martin Hash, Guest blogger
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. ~ Galatians 6:9
Most of us know the story of Helen Keller: she lost her sight and hearing as a child but went on to become a worldwide symbol of courage in the face of overwhelming odds.
But do you know the story of her teacher, Anne Sullivan?
Anne was left partially blind at age 5 following an eye disease. Her mother passed away of tuberculosis when Anne was 8. Her abusive father abandoned his children and sent Anne and her younger brother Jimmie to live in a poorhouse, where conditions were deplorable. Three months later, Jimmie died.
Anne’s circumstances began to change when she turned 14. She had surgery to improve her eyesight and was able to attend a school for the blind where she learned to read and write. She excelled academically and graduated valedictorian of her class. She later became the renowned teacher and companion of Helen Keller – who initially proved to be a difficult student.
The takeaway from Anne’s life is that through perseverance, patience, and love, a person can overcome any obstacle.
Giving up is not an option
At Julie’s Heart Cry, we’ve learned a similar lesson. Even when it feels like we aren’t making a significant impact, we keep our eyes on God and stay faithful to His calling. We must persevere with patience and love as we minister to underprivileged child mothers, helpless orphans, traumatized and at-risk teenagers, and uneducated, unskilled women.
And as we work with these individuals, we also encourage them to not give up; but rather to persevere as they start a new life with their newborn … as they learn to live in a strange, new home with people they don’t know … and as they learn job skills or take advantage of educational opportunities on the path to becoming self-sufficient.
So, as 2023 draws to a close, I think “perseverance” is the word that best sums up our work this year. Join us as we reflect on some of 2023’s highs and lows:
Looking back at 2023
Donor Lynette Woodward shared about the challenges of having a child born with Down’s Syndrome. But she went on to say how thankful she was for the Lord’s care and blessings – and that abortion was never an option. Lynette and her daughter, Olivia, have persevered and overcome many obstacles. You can read their story at juliesheartcry.org/post/god-reminded-me-everything-would-be-ok.
We told you about the importance of helping impoverished women become self-sufficient. By teaching these ladies a job skill or presenting them with educational opportunities, we are creating a positive “ripple” effect. Empowered women reinvest in their communities, are less likely to endorse abortion, and are able to send their children to school, assuring them of a brighter future. Read more about self-sustainability at juliesheartcry.org/post/giving-women-a-hand-up-not-a-handout.
We shared the story of Brigitte, one of the girls in our Youth at Risk program, and her need for specialized medical care for recurring seizures. She represents just one of the many health challenges facing individuals every day in developing countries. We have learned that if we first meet physical needs, it opens the door to meeting the spiritual needs of impoverished people – another example of perseverance and love. Read more at juliesheartcry.org/post/standing-in-the-gap-for-those-without-medical-care.
The sanctity of life is at the forefront of all our ministry work. God hates the killing of innocent lives – and so do we. We show Jesus’ compassion to underprivileged expectant girls and child mothers as we offer them alternatives to abortion. Many girls have been kicked out of their homes and left without hope. We provide them with a safe place to live, meals, educational opportunities, and biblical mentoring. Find out more at juliesheartcry.org/post/all-our-initiatives-have-one-objective.
Remember Barbara? She was the teacher with no home who slept on the floor of her classroom for 15 years. Because of our faithful donors, we were able to provide Barbara with a small house. We also rejoiced that 30 students graduated from vocational school in Uganda, and 15 pastors’ wives completed our first sewing class at our resource center. All are shining examples of perseverance over obstacles. These stories can be found at juliesheartcry.org/post/counting-our-blessings-as-we-reflect-on-2023.
One of our major achievements was partnering with Three Strands Medical Center. This birthing facility cares for vulnerable mothers and their babies with compassion and sensitivity. Because of generous financial gifts, Julie’s Heart Cry has supplied the center with hospital beds and mattresses, oxygen equipment, an echocardiography machine, and much more. Visit juliesheartcry.org/post/care-with-compassion-is-more-than-a-slogan for the rest of the story.
A painful story we shared was about a pregnant 13-year-old who had been raped by a family member. She is just one of the child mothers in our program who have been sexually abused. Thankfully, we were able to get this girl the care she needed, and she delivered a healthy baby girl, who was later adopted by a godly couple. But there are thousands of other children who are not as fortunate. Visit juliesheartcry.org/post/child-mothers-who-will-help-rescue-them to learn more.
Sadly, we also informed you of a young mother in sub-Saharan Africa who lost her baby because there was no available vehicle to transport her quickly and safely to the hospital. Although losing infants is not unusual for women in this part of the world, it’s hard to accept for those of us living in the United States. A precious little life was lost due to the lack of reliable transportation. Though our hearts break over stories such as this, we known there is a solution … and we will persevere. Read the rest of the story at juliesheartcry.org/post/one-more-unborn-child-is-lost-due-to-lack-of-reliable-vehicle.
We praised the Lord when a pastor’s wife, Betty Calule, opened her home to Susane, the 13-year-old who was raped by a family member and got pregnant. We asked Betty why she felt compelled to help when she already had 10 children in her home! Her answer will impress and inspire you. Visit juliesheartcry.org/post/a-pastors-wife-assumes-care-for-child-mother.
Thank you for taking a look back at 2023 with us, and thank you to those who faithfully support Julie’s Heart Cry. Without your financial gifts, none of our ministry work would be possible. Come alongside us as we minister in Jesus’ name during 2024 – with perseverance, patience, and love.
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. ~ Romans 12:12
