Mercy Graduate Shares Her Testimony

Check out this video of Mercy Ministries graduate, Hannah Frendl, as she shares her testimony at a women's conference in Los Angeles about how Mercy Ministries made such an impact on her life.


Shortly after graduating from the St. Louis home, Hannah started her website, UnleashedBeauty.com; a Christian based online magazine for young girls. It is a place where girls can come and learn about fashion, beauty, and health, without the negative messages they get from other magazines, but it is also a place where they can learn about God, spiritual growth, the Bible, and each other.  Great job Hannah!

Mercy Graduates Speak at Converge Conference!

Earlier this month, ID Ministries (Individually Designed Ministries) invited some of our Mercy graduates to be a part of the Converge conference for teenage girls in Oklahoma City, OK. Graduates Kim Brownie and Lindsay Whitehouse shared their testimonies and taught a 45 minute breakout session with graduates Erin Hindman and Kimmie Huxford entitled “The Perfect Father: Learn how to live like a child of God.” Here’s what Lindsay had to say about the event:

I am blown away by the response we received just by being Mercy graduates! Girls were coming up to us asking questions, thanking us for being there, and sharing their stories. There were also sponsors and moms asking us for advice as they wiped tears from their eyes. I could see that many of the young girls were struggling. Though they didn't voice their pain, I could see the sadness, anger, and lack of self-worth in their eyes. I prayed those young ladies left the conference weekend challenged, that they would realize how important it is to talk about what they're going through, and that they would know they are not alone. I know God moved in ways that I may never know, and I have no doubt those young ladies left with hope, and feeling God's unconditional love.

I am truly blessed to a part of Mercy Ministries! God is so great!

Way to go girls!

Kim, Erin (front) Kimmie, and Lindsay (back)

Mercy Graduate in Switzerland!

Bonjour from Lausanne!!

Hello, everyone! I hope this letter finds you all well! I have been at YWAM for one week now, and everything is going amazing! The city of Lausanne is absolutely beautiful! I can see the Swiss Alps from my bedroom window! The people here at YWAM are even more beautiful and amazing. I have felt at home in this community since I walked through the doors. Even though we all come from different parts of the world, we are one big family here at YWAM-Lausanne. My Discipleship Training School class has nineteen students representing ten different countries. The class operates in English and French (yes, everything gets translated), and then further translation takes place between the students as necessary. There are two French girls in my room who speak very little English (though they are improving each day!), and we have had a lot of laughs over the past week as we have tried to communicate how to live with one another in such tight quarters. It's amazing to realize that we all come from completely different cultures and backgrounds, but we all find meaning and identity with the same true God. I am extremely excited to see what God is going to do in and through each of us during our time here with YWAM!

I feel indescribably blessed to be here, and I am so grateful to you all for supporting me! I have never experienced God like I have in the past week. I have become like family with people with whom my only commonality is God. I feel like I am learning more about Him everyday as I discover more of His creativity and love through all of these people that are from such different backgrounds and cultures, all of which have their unique ways to worship and glorify God.

Love,

Justine

Me (Center) with some of my YWAM classmates on the streets of Lausanne

Graduate Kim Brownie at Catalyst 2010!

Check out this amazing video of Mercy Ministries graduate Kim Brownie speaking at a luncheon for women in ministry at Catalyst 2010!

Mercy Graduate Goes to Uganda!

I just got home Sunday night from two weeks in Uganda! God is so faithful and I am in awe of the incredible work that He accomplished in me and through me on this trip. What I saw in Uganda was nothing short of a miracle. Women travelled for hours on buses to stay for a month in a common house in Nansanna, Uganda, which is just outside of Kampala. Classes were held daily to train these women in the Word of God. I saw the reality of James 2:5 - "Listen, my beloved brethren: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of this world be rich in faith and in their position as believers and to inherit the kingdom which He has promised to those who love Him?" The classes were incredible. We taught in English and every statement was then translated into 4 different languages. Many of these women do not read or write or have Bibles in their languages. They were hearing the stories for the first time.

I helped direct a play about the life of Moses. The kids in the orphanage served as the plagues...jumping like frogs and flies. It was hilarious to watch. I didn't know until after the performance that some of the women are from tribes that have a lot of tension between them. You would never have guessed, watching them interact and carry on - even though they couldn't speak one another's language. It taught me never to think something like a play is a small thing - there can be kingdom victories happening that you don't even realize!

These women have next to nothing, but they have a hunger for truth, a love for their Redeemer and a joy and excitement in their worship that is rare. Unashamed love - that was one of the things that struck me most on this trip. They express love without many of the foolish inhibitions that we have here in the states. They are less self-occupied.

God used the trip to wake me up and motivate me. He spoke to my heart about the importance of true intimacy Him. His presence is the prize - it is all we follow after. I definitely left a portion of my heart in Uganda & can't wait to return!

Thank you again, Mercy Ministries and Nancy for helping make this trip possible! God bless you!!

Emily

Speak Mercy!

This past weekend I got to do something life changing! I got to share a little part of what the Lord has done in my life through Mercy Ministries at a Mercy fundraising brunch in Annapolis, MD. It was incredible!

God made divine connections before Nancy or any of the Mercy graduates got up to speak! At my table, I met a beautiful girl by the name of Brooke. She and her mother asked where I was from and when I told her I was from Pennsylvania, she wanted to know how I heard about a brunch that was happening all the way in Annapolis, MD! I told her I was a Mercy graduate and that’s when the questions started flying. This beautiful girl has struggled with a major life controlling issue similar to the one the Lord freed me of 2 1/2 years ago when I walked through the doors at Mercy. It was such a blessing to be sitting next to Brooke and her mom and hear how our Heavenly Father is working in her life!

Also, while giving my testimony, I noticed a woman crying. Afterwards, she and her husband came over to me, thanked me for sharing and the woman told me she could relate to my story…it was amazing!

I got to meet lots of wonderful people, answer questions, and help make a difference! I have been so blessed by this experience and am so thankful for those who support Mercy Ministries, because without them, who knows where I would be today!

Kaitlen, Krista, Nancy, Michaela, and Me!

To all of you Mercy graduates out there…use your voice to Speak Mercy! Look for opportunities to share what God has done in your life through Mercy Ministries. Share your story at your church, in your community or even with your next door neighbors—you will be so blessed in the process!

If you want more information about opportunities to share your story on behalf of Mercy through the Mercy Ministries Ambassador Program, please email Nandi Pryce: npryce@mercyministries.com.

Unleashed Beauty

Just over two years ago I flew into St. Louis, Missouri on my way to Mercy Ministries. I had been sexually and physically abused and after years of struggling with an eating disorder, self-harm, alcohol abuse, depression, and promiscuity, I felt hopeless. I didn't see much for my future and didn't think there would ever be a day I wouldn't feel I had to numb my pain. I had been to counselor after counselor and put on all kinds of prescriptions but nothing seemed to help me.

Once I arrived at Mercy, I experienced God's love and grace like never before. Satan's lies were replaced with God’s truth. I got back my joy and passion to live. When I looked into my future all I saw was hope and good!

When I got home, my boyfriend proposed to me and shortly after we got married. We met and served together at Saddleback Church. I then started UnleashedBeauty.com; a Christian based online magazine for young girls. It is a place where girls can come and learn about fashion, beauty, and health, without the negative messages they get from other magazines. It is a place where they can also learn about God, spiritual growth, the Bible, and each other. One of my goals is to use the site to introduce other girls and possible donors to Mercy Ministries. I thank God for using Mercy to bring about miraculous healing in my life and enable me to help other hurting girls. I am so excited to see where God leads me next!

Jeremiah 29:11

Love you all!
Hannah