Time for an update :)

Hey everyone--I just wanted to fill everyone in on the progress that is being made with The Hidden Place and all that is going on. God is providing in some great ways--and your support has been so overwhelming. The amount of people asking me what they can do to help and contribute has blown me away--here are just a few of the things in the works right now:

--We are about a week away from obtaining corporation status, which is the last step before submitting our non-profit paperwork. Please pray as we begin that process--the paperwork is almost ready to go, but they have been known to return it quite a few times with no explanation of what is wrong. Please pray that the process goes smoothly!

--We have been trying to figure out how we are going to provide bedding for all of the kids at camp at a reasonable price. Thankfully, we found great blankets on clearance for $7.00 each earlier this week! Our family went to 6 malls in total to find enough, but we finally got them all. Now we just need to get them to South Africa--thankfully my parents and some other people from our church will be coming in September, so they will just have to pack a few extra tubs for the journey!

--My wonderful aunt has prepared prayer/support cards to send out--I will have them with me when I speak at churches, but if you are interested in getting one, you can e-mail me your address.

--I am excited to be meeting with a few churches in the coming weeks about the possibility of them partnering with The Hidden Place. I am excited to share this vision with people and hear their feedback. God is definitely opening doors, and I am excited for what He has in store!

--We wanted to be able to provide toiletry items for the kids that come to The Hidden Place, and thankfully our Awana program at church has offered to make that happen! They will be collecting travel size toiletry items for us! I am so thankful for a church that supports and assists in countless ways.

--The sewing ladies at our church will be making pillow cases for us to have for future camps! Another great answer to prayer so that we can provide bedding for the kids!

Thank you all so much for your prayers and support! Please continue to pray for this ministry--that God would be glorified in every decision--and that we would seek His will in all we do. Please begin praying for the kids that we will minister to at the first camp in September-I can't wait to see what God has in store. 

A long awaited beginning

As I begin to write this blog, I am actual brought to tears. I am watching my dream become a reality--what a mighty God we serve. 8 years ago when I knew God was calling me into full time ministry, I could have never dreamed of what the journey would entail. The dream of the Hidden Place has been in my heart for so many years--many late night conversations with God, my parents, and close friends has led to this beginning.

For those of you who don't know let me explain what the Hidden Place is...

God has given me a passion for working with children, primarily through the avenue of camps. I have seen what joy a camp experience can bring to a child. Camp is an opportunity for children to get away from home to build relationships, enjoy new experiences, and most of all learn what it means to have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. I have seen the difference a camp experience can make in the life of a child, and I believe it is the desire of God to allow children around the world to have that experience. 

The children that I have worked with over the past few years have stolen my heart. The world they come from is sometimes unimaginable. They are exposed to things that no child ever should be. The desire of my heart is to provide an opportunity for these children to have a week away from home in a place where they can experience the love of God in a real way. My prayer is that the Hidden Place will serve as a location where kids can come to escape from the worries and problems they are faced with every day. A place where they can seek refuge in the arms of Christ. 

In the coming months, we will be trying to get the word out about the Hidden Place. I want people to have the opportunity to partner with us to minister to these children. We are in the process of becoming a registered NPO and will be desiring to raise financial resources in the coming months. More than anything, we ask for your prayers. Pray that God will open specific doors that will lead us to where we desire to go in this ministry--Pray for the children that will attend our first camp in September--Pray for resources to come available that we are in need of--Pray for the leadership that we are led by God to make wise decisions--

In the coming weeks we will have our website up and running, and as soon as that happens I will share the link here. Until then, you can email me with any questions at the following address- thehiddenplacesa@gmail.com 

Thank you for your support....