I Am Thankful for Changed Lives!

The thing that I am most thankful for is changed lives and fruit that comes out of what we do to try to help people. From time to time, I do free book offers for people who are struggling with issues such as cutting, self-harm, addictions, and sexual abuse, and need help. In July of this year, we offered our books free of charge to anyone who would write in and say that they were struggling with one of these issues and would like to receive a free copy of that particular book (or multiple books for those struggling with more than one of these issues). We heard from individuals all around the globe and one such lady who took advantage of that offer is from the United Kingdom. She just contacted me with the following testimony of how her life has been impacted from the books we sent her. PLEASE keep in mind that this young woman did not come to one of our Mercy homes, but she did apply the principles of freedom to her life and she is reaping the fruit of that decision. I received permission from Vicki to share both her story, as well as her before and after picture over the course of five months.

Hi Nancy,

Just writing from the UK to you to let you know how I am doing. I received a number of books from you back in July because I was struggling with an eating disorder and various different issues ranging from sexual abuse to self harm! I would like to thank you for the books you sent me as they have helped and encouraged me in such a big way. I've let down my guard and let God into my life. He is renewing my mind every single day and helping me to build new foundations! Since receiving your books back in July, I have gone from strength to strength and I'm on my way to overcoming my eating disorder. I still struggle occasionally but I can honestly say it’s not often. God has lifted an enormous weight off of my shoulders and I am now enjoying my life instead of hating it. I've enclosed a photo from 5 months ago and a present photo of me and my cousins – I’m on the far left and I think you will be able to see the difference!

I would like to say a big THANK YOU to you! You are such an inspiring woman of God and there are so many thankful young women all over the world who you've showed that there's more to life than living with hurt, pain, rejection, addictions, etc.! God is good!

God Bless you,

Vicki

Here is Vicki back in July - picture of her with blonde hair

Here is Vicki now (she has colored her hair and is on the far left)

Thanks Vicki for being so transparent, and for your willingness to share your story so that others can get the help they need. If you are out there struggling with one or more of these issues, I pray this story will encourage you to email me at nancy.alcorn@mercyministries.com and let me know which of the books you need to be able to receive in order to begin your journey to freedom and wholeness. We will be happy to send it to you at no charge. Remember that God is a God of steps and the first step is to reach out and ask for what is being offered. Like Vicki, it might change your life forever!!! Have a great weekend!

-Nancy

I Am Thankful for People who Care!

I want you to know that I had an amazing day in St. Louis with many of our supporters and friends who are so behind the work of Mercy Ministries. We held a very special event at the St. Albans Country Club, which was extremely well attended. The feedback from that time together has been tremendous!

It was my great joy to have as our keynote speaker for the event Brenda Warner, New York Times best-selling author of the book "First Things First," and co-founder of First Things First Foundation with her husband, NFL great Kurt Warner, currently the quarterback of the Arizona Cardinals. Brenda gave so unselfishly of herself to speak on behalf of Mercy Ministries and she gave a bit of her personal story of overcoming tragedy and adversity. I was tremendously blessed by who Brenda is as a person, and the depth God has put in her heart to share with so many. Her passion and love for Christ is evident as well. I want to personally thank Brenda and all those who attended to make this event such a success. I thought you might enjoy seeing some of the pictures from our event, which featured art that was done by our St. Louis residents under the direction of Bert VanderMark, who is Founder of Visual Parables. The guests were given an opportunity to purchase these works of art and take them home with them, knowing that their support would go back to help the work of Mercy Ministries.

Me pictured with Brenda Warner

Me pictured with Lauri Tanner,
President and CEO of Ranken Jordan and Mercy supporter

Besides Brenda, one of the bright spots of the day for me was the fact that we had eight Mercy graduates in attendance, seven of which are pictured here.

I hope you enjoy the slideshow of some of the artwork, as well as the guests mingling and enjoying themselves.

I am SO VERY THANKFUL FOR ALL OF OUR SUPPORTERS. I want you to know that as we go into Thanksgiving, that my heart is so filled with thanksgiving FOR YOU!!! Have a great weekend!

A Heart of Thanksgiving

As we get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving on Thursday, I wanted to share with you a letter that I just received from a 2007 Mercy graduate named Lindsay, along with a $1,000 donation to Mercy. We were so overwhelmed by her generosity and always love it when former Mercy residents give back. I hope her encouraging words bless you as much as they blessed me…

Dear Mercy,

I’m so glad I am finally able to give you something in return for all that you gave to me. You loved me even when I did not love myself. You gave me a peaceful home to stay in and provided delicious food for me to eat. You did not think of yourself when you gave all you had – you thought of me. When I was at the bottom of the pit, you reached your hand out towards me and brought me to the light. You showed me that the darkness I called life was only lies. While I was in your care, I was able to seek the truth. Because you showed me love, I can now hope. Because you led me towards the One who saves, I now know freedom.

Thank you for loving, thank you for giving, and thank you for all you have done for me!!

With much love and gratitude,

Lindsay

I want to encourage you as you prepare for Thanksgiving this week to take the time to reflect on all that you have to be thankful for, and also to express your gratitude to those around you. I hope everyone has a great week!

Thunder School Visits Mercy Ministries!!!

This morning, we had Pastor Scott MacLeod and the Thunder School here at Mercy in Nashville to share with our staff and girls. Thunder School is a creative compassion inner-city ministry where teams use different forms of media – praise and worship, dance, drama, and rap – to share about Christ. There were about 40 students from Thunder School here to perform and minister to the girls. It was a powerful time of testimonies, praise and worship, drama, and even a really cool rap!

One thing that was especially cool is that one of the members of the Thunder School is a Mercy graduate from 1993! Rashelle came to Mercy Ministries in Monroe with an unplanned pregnancy 16 years ago and chose to parent her son, Chance, who was born in July of 1993. She introduced Chance to the staff and girls, as well as her other son, Christian (pictured below).

1993 Mercy graduate, Rashelle,
pictured with her sons, Chance and Christian

Rashelle now lives in Nashville with her husband and two sons, and works full-time with the Thunder School. Rashelle shared her testimony with the girls and encouraged them to really stand up and fight for their freedom. It was such a powerful time of ministry and an awesome end to a great week! I thought you might like to see some of the pictures from the Thunder School today…

To learn more about Pastor Scott MacLeod and the Thunder School, check out their website at www.thunderschool.com.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

She was 14 when she came to Mercy over 6 years ago…

I just received the most awesome email from a young lady who came to Mercy when she was 14 with a severe eating disorder, and she was told by the “experts” that she went to for treatment that death was eminent. BUT GOT HAD A MUCH BIGGER PLAN!!! I love to tell her story, but it is so much better if you can hear it in her own words, and see her beautiful face, so here it is.

Nancy,

Where to begin? I don't even know, so first off let me just say thank you for listening to the Holy Spirit and letting Him use you as a vessel. I know you already know this, but let me just reiterate that Mercy has affected my life in so many aspects...I'm still reaping many blessings because of my experience at Mercy. I also wanted to tell you that I feel like the Lord is really stirring in my soul a way to help. I would absolutely love to come and intern this summer and just help out in any way! ...A little update on my life: I'm a sophomore at Abilene Christian and majoring in elementary education. I am now 20, which sounds so old haha, I can't believe it’s been almost 6 years since I've been to Mercy. Crazy!! Life is flying by which makes me extremely anxious to be a life changer and shake up this world for the glory of the Lord while I’m here on earth. It's time!! Well I just wanted to give you a little heads up to be looking for my internship.
I love you

--Mary Ellen Alexander

Yes, you guessed it – she will definitely be doing an internship with us next summer!! Thanks again to everyone who supports this ministry. Mary Ellen’s life was saved because of it!!! Hope all is well with you.

Nancy

Report from the New York City Marathon!!

I just received one of the coolest reports from one of our supporters who recently raised money for Mercy and ran for Mercy in the recent ING New York City Marathon on November 7. I thought you might like to hear about her experience in her own words:

“It was truly one of the best experiences I have ever had. One of my favorite memories is walking through all the different neighborhoods in New York and the people on the sidelines cheering from all different countries and every walk of life. When I got a little weary, I thought about all of those supporting me for Mercy Ministries, and that’s what got me through. I finished strong and all glory goes to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for giving me His strength. – Pam”

We are so grateful for the amazing supporters God sends us!! If you would like to know more about running for Mercy, check out the website at www.runformercy.org.

Atlanta Christian City Church Visits International Headquarters!

I first met pastors Phil and Chris Pringle from Christian City Church (C3) in Australia over 10 years ago during one of my first trips to Australia. I had the pleasure of speaking in a Sunday morning service at their beautiful campus in Sydney. Pastors Phil and Chris have planted close to 300 churches around the world, and one of those churches is in the Atlanta, Georgia area. The pastors of the Atlanta church are Dean and Jill Sweetman. Pastors Dean and Jill also oversee all of the C3 churches in the U.S. under the leadership of Phil and Chris Pringle.

In March of this year, I had the privilege of speaking at Jill’s annual women’s conference called Imagine. Our hearts connected, and the rest is history! The ladies of this church have now made two trips to Nashville, spending two days with us each time. In the first group there were approximately 30 women, and just this week, we hosted another 12. Our staff and girls had the privilege of hearing Pastor Jill as she brought a special word to our staff and girls. Our time together was so encouraging!!

Me with Pastor Jill Sweetman

I want to give a big shout out to Pastors Dean and Jill and also legends Phil and Chris Pringle for the amazing network of churches they oversee around the world. Both our girls and staff loved having them here!! I thought you might enjoy seeing some of the pictures. I hope everyone has a great weekend!!