“Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man’s behalf!” – Psalm 66:5(NIV).
The following are actual letters and statements from individuals that God has placed in the care of Mary's Comfort. Most of what is done in ministry that fosters lasting change in individuals is not the "miraculous", it is the genuine love that is repeated without prejudice and without preconceptions. It is this agape love that triggers the profound changes in the lives of those we see. Listed below are examples in the words of some of the precious women and children that make up "the beat" in God's heart.
"They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
they did not love their lives so much
as to shrink from death."- Revelations 12:11(NIV)
Alison Terrell- I was lost in my addictions to drugs and loneliness. My husband had died from a drug overdose. After he had died I found myself spiraling down a long dark tunnel. The years of guilt and shame took their toll and I eventually found myself incarcerated and without anything in my life that made sense. I had lost my freedom and custody of my four children. My deep concern for how I would overcome what I had done and how I was going to make it on my own again turned into a faith and trust in God Himself. A few years ago, just before my incarceration, I visited a small church near my home and there I met a man whose words of encouragement lifted me in my time of despair. Those words and the love behind them sustained me as I sought the Lord throughout my time in prison. Once I was released I returned to that church and much to my surprise that same man was still there. His name was Sean Stevens and he introduced me to Mary's Comfort Ministries. Through this ministry I have been encouraged and supported as I work to restore my family, my name and my life. My children and I are growing again and we are becoming more like the family I have always wanted. One of our greater blessings through this ministry was a vehicle that was donated so that I would have reliable transportation for my family, and so I can work and attend college.
My children and I have received so many blessings from Mary's Comfort and from Sean Stevens. Each day my faith grows stronger because I see the love that Jesus has for me and my children through the things that this ministry does for us and others. We are learning so much about how we can live stronger with God and in His love. Even now my extended family is receiving blessings from watching my children and I grow in love. There's nothing more special than seeing them come to know the Lord by our example. Thank you Mary's Comfort Ministries for all of your prayers, encouragement and support.
My name is Claudia, I am 12 years old. My parents divorced and I live with my extended family. I don't like either of my parents and I have not really liked myself all that much. Through Mary's Comfort I have learned that other people think that I'm special and important. I never knew that people thought that way about me. They love me and now I feel like I have hope. I have also learned that Jesus died for me and if he would do that for a girl he did not even know, maybe I should try to learn more about him. He's the kind of Dad that I've always wanted. I thank God for Mary's Comfort. I haven't been this happy in a very long time.
UPDATE! Claudia is back home with her parents and all are doing well. They still have some things to work through but all are willing and the family has been restored!
Janis- I am a widow by definition. My husband left me many years ago. I want to thank you for your prayers during some of the most difficult times in my life. The invaluable gifts of discernment and faith that the Lord has lavishly bestowed upon you and how well you have received them and unselfishly used them for His glory, your closeness to God and the filling of the Holy Spirit and your availability to the leading of the Holy Spirit allow God to reach others through you. If only God could find more humble men like you to anoint to work in His kingdom.
My name is Shelly Doods, I am a widow by definition due to my husband's incarceration. During a church service in jail my husband met with Mr. Sean Stevens and told him that I was in desperate need of help and that the most pressing need I had was a tire so that I could go to work the next day. Immediately following the service in the jail, Mr. Stevens telephoned me at my home and offered to help. I was overwhelmed with gratitude that a complete stranger wanted to help me. Mr. Stevens went on to share with me the ministry of Mary's Comfort. After hearing about Mary's Comfort I was very excited and immediately wanted to become a part of it. Sean advised me that at this point what the ministry really needed from me was prayer, so I began to pray for Mary's Comfort every day.
My husband has been incarcerated for thirteen months and during that time I have been struggling financially, emotionally and spiritually. Mary's Comfort has kept in touch with me and encouraging me throughout this time. That has meant a lot to me! On one occasion I was lying on my couch crying uncontrollably, wanting to go to sleep and never wake up. I felt hopeless. I am a Christian woman that loves the Lord with all of my heart but on this day I was overwhelmed. I had lost my job and my car, my son was angry with me and I had no explanation, my father who has leukemia was given 1 to 2 weeks to live, my daughter had back slid and was drinking again, my youngest son was diagnosed with Mono and my father-in-law was hospitalized with a heart condition. I was trying to be strong but, although I had been praying, I couldn't see anything changing. The bills were piling up and my husband is in jail and not able to help. I was crushed and very depressed.
As I laid there praying to God the phone rang. It was Mr. Stevens from Mary's Comfort. He gave me encouraging words and told me not to give up and that God would answer my prayers "in His time". We talked for quite a long while and the more that I listened, the more encouraged I became. As I hung up, I thanked God for sending my Christian friend and Mary's Comfort at a time when I needed them the most.
That was a little over two weeks ago and since that time God has answered my prayers. I have a new job, my rent and electric bill is paid, my son has apologized and now attends church with me, my youngest son has recovered from the Mono, my father is doing great and the doctors say that they can't understand why, (I do!). My father-in-law is out of the hospital and doing very well. I still do not have a car, but I know that it's on the way. You see, my faith has doubled! I continue to pray for the ministry of Mary's Comfort and I know that there are many more people to be helped and this ministry is a start! One phone call from a stranger who cared only through Christ's love helped me when I thought that I was alone.
UPDATE! Shelly's mother has become a widow.
Her husband lost his battle with Leukemia and went home to be with the Lord April 25, 2009.
Shelly is now ministering to her mother and honoring God.
Soon she and her husband David will be reunited and caring for Mary's comfort.
© Mary's Comfort Ministries, Inc. 2009