Ministry Update May 20, 2009

Ministry Update May 18, 2009

Luke 4:18
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed…”

Dear friends of JoyShop Ministries,

April and May have been busy months coming off of a month sabbatical! In all I presented two full JoyShops, spoke at three women’s spring banquets, and drove to Reading to speak to a youth group mid week. Only one event to go, a mini-JoyShop at Lydia Center on May 29th, and then I have off all of June. God gave me the strength to complete the previous commitments that I had made and I am learning to let go of the “behind the scenes” decisions that have bogged me down in the past and trust the Lord to bring to pass what He desires. I read in my devotional this morning that REST equals TRUST! I am striving to rest in God’s will for JoyShop Ministries.

My schedule is pretty much booked full for the rest of 2009 and into May of 2010. We certainly don’t have to look for places to go … praise the Lord! I am particularly excited about a woman’s weekend retreat in April of 1010 that I have been invited to do a JoyShop. It came from a college student involved with Campus Crusade at Penn College. They partner with several other colleges and universities for this retreat. I do marvel how God is allowing the ministry to reach all ages since it is just too hard for me to target one specific age group. My target audience remains The Church no matter the age!

Continue to pray for the many people who have responded to the message of SEEKING GOD FIRST. The rest of this ministry update is personal testimonies that were sent to me either through the web site, mail or Facebook.

From several women who attended recent JoyShops:

“I just wanted to contact you and let you know how your message has changed my life!”

“For about the past 6 months I have felt a strong desire to seek the Lord more fervently - I so much desire more of Him in my life. I have been reading the Bible for years but more often than not my reading was more to see how many passages I could read vs. reading just one chapter at a time and really studying it. Your approach with the 21-day challenge really resonated with me and has made a huge difference in my times with the Lord each morning. I liked the simplicity of your "message" and that the challenge you present is attainable, for everyone. Everything you said I knew but needed to be reminded of. You confirmed so many things that I have been "hearing". This retreat was so timely and at times I felt like you were there just for me! But after talking with other women who were at the retreat I know I was not the only one who was very blessed by it.”

“It’s difficult to even put into words what your workshop meant to me this past weekend. I have been so impacted by your message since the first time I heard it that I just had to do what I could to bring it to those in my church …Your workshop at Moore's Chapel in April was amazing and impacted so many people.”

“Just wanted to let you know how much Joy Shop has changed my life. I have been spending time with God first each morning since you spoke at Hempfield BIC. So from the bottom of my heart I want to say Thank You for what you are doing to further God’s kingdom . You have been a Blessing to me. Thanks …”

From a woman that attended one of the banquets this month:

"Your message was so inspiring last night at Grantham. Thanks again for coming and sharing so honestly and with great vulnerability. I'm ready for the 21-day challenge!!!"

I stumbled upon this message somehow on face book:
“I was really challenged and energized by Anita's message....if you ever get to hear one of her JoyShop workshops - run, don't walk!”

“Just thought I'd share a story that came to me after church today. A friend of mine who attended your workshop held at our church two years ago told me that yesterday was her "two year anniversary" of spending daily time with God--as a direct result of the conference. Blessings to you in your ministry!”
A man from my home church who attended a JoyShop a year ago recently came up to me and shared that he has been seeking God first consistently since the workshop. Tears whelmed up in his eyes and a few escaped down his cheek as he shared how meaningful his time with God has become!
I was also touched by a letter I received in the mail from a 12/13 year old girl who is homeschooled and had attended a recent banquet that I had spoken at. She wrote:
“I wanted to tell you how much your talk meant to me. When my mom would write up my list of assignments to complete for the day, devotions was one of them. I would read one chapter then close m y Bible and do nothing about it. But your talk influenced me to do more. I got one of your journals and I am doing the 21 Day Challenge. I’m on day 9 and progressing through John. What would you suggest I do next? I would really like to hear back from you.”
WOW! Doesn’t that just bless your heart?
Concerning the Pocket Testament league I received word that three more people joined the league because of JoyShop Ministries. They were people who live in California, Florida and Pennsylvania! I also received a note in the mail from a lady who was rather excited to share with me how the Lord is giving her courage to hand out pocket testaments.
May God receive the glory for all He is doing through this ministry to bring His children into closer intimacy with Him. It really is all about Him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would be grateful for any prayers for protection over the ministry and my family. Thank you so much!

In Christ, Anita

PS The picture above was taken at Grantham BIC Church with my mother, one of my sister's-Sylvia, and my two daugthers, Shelly and Carrie.