Women of Vision South Puget Sound

Prayer for Domestic Project Mission Trip

2011-07-23T09:29:00.001-07:00

Prayer for Domestic Project Mission Trip

Tomorrow, July 23, 2011 is the departure date for our South Puget Sound Women of Vision second annual mission trip to Phillipi, West Virginia. Laura, Patty and Corri from our Chapter will time-travel to Jesus' Hometown Nazareth where they will participate in helping with vacation Bible school each morning while in costume they mingle with the town's children providing crafts, joining in songs and teaching them about Jesus. In the afternoons they will trade their costumes for work clothes and a tool belt and help with painting houses and other lighter construction work for local residents. They will be attending church services and visiting the local World Vision office and storehouse, They will view and participate in World Vision’s U.S. Programs work taking place in rural West Virginia.

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly,
We come to You in the Name of Jesus asking that You would go before our South Puget Sound Chapter team as they travel to West Virginia and become Your Hands to the people there. Give them Your grace and mercy as they meet the demands of each day both physically and spiritually. keep them safe in their travels and in their work. Give them joy unspeakable and laughter as they work with the children. Put a song in their hearts and give them boldness to share the Gospel unashamed to any who will listen whatever their age. Bless them with something dear to each of their hearts that they can return home with that will encourage and empower them as they return to their daily lives here. Be with their families and fill in the missing space with your provision. We thank you for these women who are willing and who go in faith answering Your call.

Gifted to Give Gathering

2011-06-05T16:47:00.000-07:00

Gifted to Give Gathering

It is with great delight that the South Puget Sound Chapter along with Beth Yeager,Women of Vision National Chapter Advisor and Dr. Anita Schamber, former World Vision International Leadership Staff invite all Washington Chapter leadership, partners and friends to join us for our first annual spiritual retreat.

Inspired by our key verse I Corinthians 12:7 "A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other" learn how you can use your strengths to be God's Hands extended. As we are all actors in the mission of Women of Vision, Anita will help us clarify how our lead role and supporting roles enhance our ministry. Listen to Beth as she shares our opening devotional and leads a discussion. Conclude the day with a round table sharing on using our gifts.

Enjoy the lovely setting at the Tacoma Country and Golf Club with its beautiful grounds, elegant clubhouse, and breathtaking view of American Lake. Dine on the finest cuisine selecting from five salad choices including the favorite strawberry chicken salad.

Leave inspired, informed and invigorated to use your gits to give to poor and marginalized women and children as an empowered Woman of Vision.

Details:

Date: Friday, July 8, 2011 9:30 am-2:30 pm

Cost: $35

Club Dress Code: no denim; shirt with collar

Agenda:

9:30-10:00 Welcome/Opening Prayer/ Devotion

10:00-10:45 Receiving our Gifts

10:45-11:00 Break

11:00-11:45 Opening Our Gifts

11:45-12:45 Lunch and Lounge

12:45-2:05- Using Our Gifts

2:05-2:30 Praise & Worship

Prerequisite: Take the free Strong Life Test and learn your Lead Role and Secondary Roles

Suggested Reading: Yours Are the Hands of Christ: The Practice of Faith by James C. Howell

Location Address:

13204 Country Club Dr SW Lakewood, WA 98498

Questions:

email: wovsouthpugetsound@gmail.com

PLEASE RSVP by July 1, 2011 here

"Dinner for 60" - Network Tacoma Service Opportunity

2011-05-25T08:47:00.000-07:00

Yes...dinner for "50" has now turned into dinner for "60"!! The response by Network Tacoma staff and families has been wonderful. This is a great opportunity to bless families in our community, by serving a lasagna dinner to Network Tacoma families as they gather for training and learning activities. We also try to interact with the families as much as possible, during the course of our service, so that we are feeding bodies and spirits!

This event is held on the 2nd Monday of every month. The next one:

Monday, June 13th

Soma Building, downtown Tacoma

2320 Pacific Avenue

The dinner takes place from 6-7pm,

with prep and cleanup time before and after.

Please RSVP by emailing: wovsouthpugetsound@gmail.com, to let us know that you can serve on this night.

Half the Sky Book Discussion Group - June 6th & 20th

2011-05-24T08:33:00.000-07:00

Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide

by: Nicholas Kristof & Sheryl WuDunn

In this passionate yet practical book, the authors argue that the struggle for gender equality is “the paramount moral challenge” of our era. It is also a development challenge: unleashing women’s energy, they argue, is a key to economic success. The authors’ stated aim is to “recruit” the reader to join a worldwide movement to end these abuses."
Learn more about this book here.

Let’s talk about it!
Women in the Puget Sound area: Please join us for a two-session discussion on this "stirring and sensible" book and become equipped to join the worldwide movement to end slavery.

June 6, 2011 -- 7-8:30pm

Session 1 - Chapters 1-7

June 20, 2011 -- 7-8:30pm
Session 2 - Chapters 8-14

Location: Karen's Home -- 31247 10th Ct. SW Federal Way, WA

RSVP here for session one and RSVP here for session two, to let us know you plan to attend (or just come)!

Want to start another Half the Sky book club in your own area? Let us know and we'll get it advertised!

Bring a friend!

WoV National Conference Call: with special guest Marilee Pierce Dunker - May 31st

2011-05-18T12:56:00.000-07:00

All friends and partners are invited to participate in this free conference call, with other women from all over the U.S.

"A Time of Prayer"

with special guest

Marilee Pierce Dunker,

World Vision Ambassador

Tuesday, May 31
4:00-5:00pm PST
Details here.

"The only thing more dangerous than a praying woman is a group of praying women!"
--Marilee Pierce Dunker

Sheryl WuDunn to be Keynote Speaker at September 18, 2011 Event

2011-05-15T20:32:00.000-07:00

Women of Vision National Conference in D.C. - 2012 Dates Announced

2011-05-10T22:54:00.000-07:00

Every Woman Has a Story: Change Her Story – Change History
March 4th - 6th, 2012
Washington D.C.
Join us for our biannual conference next March! This event-packed gathering will be an unforgettable time of learning and growth you won’t want to miss. You will:

Join other women who want to help build a better world for women and children enmeshed in poverty and exploitation
Learn from knowledgeable, encouraging speakers
Be inspired by the stories of courageous women worldwide
Put your passion into action with a Capitol Hill Lobby Day, supported by World Vision and Women of Vision.
Receive training to start, build, or improve your Women of Vision chapter.
You do not have to be a Women of Vision partner to attend this conference - all women are welcome!
Please see additional details here.

Network Tacoma Hosts Annual Dinner/Auction Fundraiser - May 21st

2011-05-04T19:57:00.000-07:00

This is an annual fundraiser put on by our chosen local charity, Network Tacoma.

Date: Saturday, May 21st
Start Time: 5:30pm
Location: Tacoma Country Club
Tickets: $60

Though our group is not involved with planning this fundraiser, this is one way we can support Network Tacoma -- by purchasing tickets and attending the dinner. See Network Tacoma's website for details: http://www.networktacoma.org/.

*Note: we will not host a "dinner for 50" this month, but watch for information about June's dinner to come.

Eat at Joeseppi's Monday May 16 and Benefit Our Projects

2011-05-01T19:19:00.000-07:00

What a yummy opportunity! And fun for the whole family.

We need 100 people to dine at Joeseppi's Italian Ristorante in Tacoma: Monday Evening

May 16th

-- and if we reach that number, they will donate a portion of the proceeds to our chapter projects for the IMPACTS women's/girls trafficking recovery center, and to health and poverty initiatives in Appalachia.

Also: volunteers wanted for one or two hour shifts, between 4 and 8pm. It's a great chance for new friends and partners to get involved and contribute! And it's easy - all we do is serve as hostesses and bussers (thank goodness....no waitressing!) Why not choose a one hour shift and then have your family meet you for dinner? Or better yet, why not get your better half to serve as a host?

Please see event details here - and RSVP if you can volunteer, or to let us know that we can count on your family to slurp spaghetti on the night of May 16th. Thank you!!

God's Fellow Workers

2011-04-25T23:17:00.000-07:00

Do You Worship The Work?

By: Oswald Chambers

My Utmost for His Highest

April 23 Devotional

We are God’s fellow workers... 1 Corinthians 3:9

Beware of any work for God that causes or allows you to avoid concentrating on Him... We have no right to decide where we should be placed, or to have preconceived ideas as to what God is preparing us to do. God engineers everything; and wherever He places us, our one supreme goal should be to pour out our lives in wholehearted devotion to Him in that particular work. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might...” Ecclesiastes 9:10

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
As we go into preparations for the Sheryl WuDunn Event in September in addition to the other events and responsibilities that we have, we ask that You would keep us centered on You.

Please take the time to read this beautiful devotion and complete prayer as prepared by our chapter Spiritual Life chair, Karen -- here.

If you are interested in joining Karen on the Spiritual Life team, please let her know -- details here.

April Devotional

2011-04-22T20:31:00.000-07:00

But Then Came Sunday . . . He is Risen!

by Rich Stearns, World Vision US President

Just a few weeks ago I walked in those places where Jesus walked in the Holy Land. It dawned on me yet again that Jesus did almost everything differently than conventional wisdom would have dictated. I visited Capernaum and Galilee where most of his three-year ministry took place -- a "hick town" ten days' journey from Jerusalem. Not the best location to start a movement that would change the world.

Join us in reading the rest of Rich Stearns' Easter Blog, here.

Partners Invited: Overnight Retreat at Talley Chalet

2011-03-30T13:50:00.000-07:00

UPDATE! See photos from this event here.

Are you a Women of Vision South Puget Sound chapter Partner? We want to know you better, and, we need your unique and creative input for planning chapter activities:

You are cordially invited to spend the night in a

georgeous swiss chalet in Cle Elum, Washington!

Our second ever Leaders/Partners overnight retreat will be a great mix of fun and laughter, prayer and devotion, learning about leadership, and planning for our most ambitious fundraising event yet. You don't want to miss out!

See more photos from our last
retreat at the Chalet.

Friday April 15, 5:00pm to Saturday, April 16th, 4:00pm

Details / RSVP on The City

You will need to join The City to RSVP.

Event is listed in the South Puget Sound Chapter group.

The cost is right: just $10, which includes snacks and beverages on Friday night, plus overnight lodging in one of the most beautiful and unique mountain homes in all of Washington. We will carpool and share cost for gas, and have a sign up sheet for contributing to meals on Saturday.

It's about a 2 hour drive to the chalet. If you cannot make it on Friday night, you are welcome to drive up early on Saturday morning and spend the day.

Not a partner yet? Join here, and sign up for the retreat today!

Network Tacoma "Dinner for 50" - April 11th

2011-03-29T17:14:00.000-07:00

We have another opportunity to bless our community, by serving a lasagna dinner to Network Tacoma families as they gather for training and learning activities. A few volunteer spots are still open. You can either RSVP on The City (South Puget Sound Chapter - Events), or you can email us at: wovsouthpugetsound@gmail.com.

Monday, April 11th

Soma Building, downtown Tacoma

2320 Pacific Avenue

The dinner takes place from 6-7pm,

with prep and cleanup time before and after.

We try to interact with the families as much as possible, during the course of our service, so that we are feeding bodies and spirits!

Federal Way Book Club: Half the Sky Two Sessions

2011-03-25T19:05:00.000-07:00

In a New York Times article, Martha Nussbaum writes:

“Women and girls die every day in large numbers all over the world, some from violence, some from what Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, in “Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide,” call the “diffuse cruelty of indifference”: inadequate medical care and other practices that betray a widespread undervaluation of the worth of female life.

In this passionate yet practical book, the authors argue that the struggle for gender equality is “the paramount moral challenge” of our era. It is also a development challenge: unleashing women’s energy, they argue, is a key to economic success. The authors’ stated aim is to “recruit” the reader to join a worldwide movement to end these abuses."

Let’s talk about it!

Join us for a two-session discussion on this "stirring and sensible" book and become equipped to join the worldwide movement to end slavery as presented by Pulitzer Prize author Sheryl WuDunn in her book Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide.

Who?

Women in the South Puget Sound Area

What?

Session 1 - Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide Chapters 1-7
Session 2 - Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide Chapters 8-14

Where?

Karen Marion's Home 31247 10th Ct. SW Federal Way, WA 98023

When?

Session 1 - June 6, 2011 7:00-8:30 PM

Session 2 - June 20, 2011 7:00-8:30 PM

Why?

To be equipped to be God's Hands extended to poor and marginalized women and children so that they can experience life in all its fullness.

How?

Make it a priority to purchase and read the book, mark your calendar and attend the discussion sessions. Email wovsouthpugetsound@gmail.com or RSVP here to let us know you plan to attend (or just come)!

Want to start another Half the Sky book club in your own area? Let us know and we'll get it advertised!

Bring a friend!

Running for IMPACTS - Team "Women of Vision"

2011-03-21T12:35:00.000-07:00

Our own Jamie S. is heading up a Team World Vision Team that is planning to run the Seattle Rock n Roll 1/2 marathon on June 25th, 2011. So far, Annie, Julie and Brenda have all joined the team as well!

How about you?

Our team is running to raise money for IMPACTS, which stands for Improving Management of Programs and Aftercare for Children Trafficked and Sexually Exploited, in Cambodia. Over the past five years, World Vision has been a key player in establishing a network of partnerships that ensures vulnerable girls are receiving quality restorative care as they come out of Cambodia’s sex industry. World Vision and its partners (World Hope International, Hagar) create a case management plan for each child to support her in becoming physically, mentally, and emotionally well - until she can be reintegrated back into family or community life or is otherwise able to leave the residential facility.

Please see this link for more information about how you can get involved by joining the team and/or donating to this effort.

March Devotional

2011-03-18T22:37:00.000-07:00

Audacious Faith

Bob Pierce’s most famous prayer, “Let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God,” has formed the basis for World Vision’s work alongside the poor and oppressed around the globe.

Bob Pierce's testimony of faith inspires us to step out of our comfort zone and do whatever we can to be God's Hands extended to poor and marginalized women and children to change the world one child at a time. What a privilege and honor we have in our small way to join this vision. Read what Rich Stearns says in his article below.

By Richard Stearns, President, World Vision U.S.

A risky, costly, reckless endeavor
Sixty years after founder Bob Pierce’s bold, audacious idea, World Vision has become a global organization whose presence in nearly 100 countries has helped change the lives of millions of children across multiple generations.

Bob Pierce’s most famous prayer, “Let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God,” has formed the basis for World Vision’s work alongside the poor and oppressed around the globe.

I sometimes wish that Bob Pierce had chosen a name other than World Vision when he founded our organization 60 years ago, in September 1950. If he had chosen a name beginning with an A, we would always be the first charity listed by the media after a natural disaster instead of the last.

But what a name — WORLD Vision. Ironically, Bob Pierce was denied his dream to be an Army chaplain in the 1940s because he had poor vision.

I have often mused over Bob Pierce’s sheer audacity. When he made his first trip to Asia in 1947, he barely had enough money to get to Hawaii, much less all the way to China. And he had to borrow an office from Youth for Christ in Portland, Ore., just to get the ministry started. So you have to love the recklessness of a guy who names his little charity “World Vision.” I think it made God smile.

A foundation that has shaped our identity
For 60 years, World Vision has lived by this risky, costly, and even reckless faith, believing that if we dared to follow Christ by going to the darkest and most dangerous places on earth, God would go before us and “be a lamp unto our feet” as we served the poorest of the poor in His name.

That unwavering conviction has led successive generations at World Vision into the pain of the world. Our courageous staff has faced earthquakes, famines, riots, cyclones, military coups, floods, pandemic diseases, and wars. They have lived among the broken, walked among the homeless, and given comfort to the widow, the orphan, the least, and the lost.

And they have done these things knowing the risk and paying the price but believing that God had called them for the great privilege of serving. Rarely does a year go by that doesn’t cost one or two of our staff their lives — seven have died this year alone.

Because of one man’s vision
That audacious faith of Bob Pierce has always characterized World Vision, and I dare to say it has changed the world for millions of children over the past six decades. That tiny seed planted in Asia in 1950 by one man has now grown into an organization of more than 40,000 men and women on six continents in 97 countries.

More than 3 million children are now assisted by sponsors worldwide, and 100 million people receive help of one kind or another — all because one man had the audacity to believe God and because millions more just like you were willing to join him.

World Vision...I think it still makes God smile.

Service Opportunity - Dinner for 50 for Network Tacoma - Monday March 14

2011-03-08T10:59:00.000-08:00

It's that time of month again!
As you may know, each month, families served by Network Tacoma gather for training and learning activities. They bring their children. And the [small] staff at Network Tacoma feeds them ALL dinner. As part of our local service project, our chapter has volunteered to provide and serve this dinner on:

Monday, March 14th

Soma Building, downtown Tacoma

2320 Pacific Avenue

The dinner takes place from 6-7pm,

with prep and cleanup time before and after.

We try to interact with the families as much as possible, during the course of our service, so that we are feeding bodies and spirits!

We will prepare and serve a "Costco-style" lasagna dinner. We still need a few volunteers the night of the event. You do not neccessarily need to stay the whole time--you can volunteer to prep, serve and/or clean up. We also need someone each month to volunteer to do the shopping, and/or pre-cook the lasagna at home and bring it hot (either to the Soma building or to another chapter member who has volunteered to help serve.) Please email wovsouthpugetsound@gmail.com to volunteer.

Shopping Justly: All About Fair Trade - Conference Call March 8th

2011-03-07T16:59:00.000-08:00

This call is open to all friends of Women of Vision!

Shopping Justly: All About Fair Trade

4-5pm PST, on Tuesday March 8th

Call-in information is at this link.

July 2011: Partners visit to WV program work in Appalachia

2011-03-07T10:22:00.000-08:00

Have you been wanting a hands-on missions experience? Are you interested in learning more about World Vision programs serving rural West Virginia? Do you desire to develop a closer relationship with other Women of Vision chapter partners?

If yes - please consider joining on a service/vision trip to Appalachia.

Details are still being formed but the trip is shaping up so far as follows:

Laura Livingston, our SPS Domestic Program Chair, is on point for trip planning. Other chapters are being invited to participate, and sign-up will be on a first come first served basis.
Participants must be Partners with Women of Vision. (Sign up as a Partner here.)
Trip will take place the week of July 24, 2011.
Exact trip duration and schedule of activities yet to be determined - but is expected to include painting houses and other lighter construction work during the week, for local residents in need, as well as helping with VBS, attending church services, visiting local office and storeshouse, etc.
Trip cost is $450 and includes lodging, meals and extra activities (a fun day, a bbq with local staff, etc.)
Trip cost does NOT include airfare. Participants will book their own airfare, and, will need to all chip in on the cost of a rental car and gas for the week.

Still interested? Please email wovsouthpugetsound@gmail.com asap and Laura will get back to you to discuss further.

Click here for more photos from the 2010 Appalachia trip.

THURSDAY EDUCATION EVENT POSTPONED!

2011-02-23T13:43:00.000-08:00

Due to inclement weather, the Appalachia Educational Gathering that was set for 2/24/11 has now been postponed. Please watch our blog, website or Facebook for the new date, to be provided soon.

Stay warm.

Stay dry.

Stay safe.

Be blessed!!

Training For "The City" continues this week

2011-02-23T10:05:00.000-08:00

If you cannot attend the training...no problem - training module notes are available. See link for more info.

Women of Vision on The City
Training Schedule and Notes

Women of Vision on The City Website

Educational Event Feb. 24th - POSTPONED: Appalachia Trip Report

2011-02-14T08:15:00.000-08:00

THIS EVENT POSTPONED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER. WILL POST NEW DATE SOON!
You are cordially invited, by the Greater Seattle Women of Vision chapter, to attend a free educational gathering on Rural Poverty in Appalachia. The speakers for this event will be none other than two of our own chapter leaders, Laura & Lynn.

Last summer, Laura and Lynn visited World Vision's program work in the Appalachian mountains of West Virginia. During that trip they had the opportunity, among other things, to work alongside several church missions teams doing resident home repair projects, to spend a day with the WoV North Carolina ladies at their day camp for girls, and to tour the WV community storehouse in Philippi. Photos and stories from this trip will be presented at this gathering, along with some basic information about the causes and challenges faced by residents in rural areas steeped in generational poverty.

The South Puget Sound and Greater Seattle chapters of Women of Vision are among numerous other Women of Vision chapters nationwide raising funds for programs in rural Applachia. Our SPS chapter has committed to raising $10,000 for Appalachia this fiscal year, so this subject matter is dear to our hearts. Will you join us?

Thursday, February 24, 2011

7-8:30pm

McMicken Heights Baptist Church

375 S. 172nd St., SeaTac, WA

(click on image to enlarge)

February Devotional

2011-02-11T06:00:00.000-08:00

For God So Loved

For God so loVed the world

ThAt He gave

His onLy

BegottEn

SoN

ThaT whosoever

believesIn Him

Shall Not perish

but have Everlasting life.

John 3:16

May you have a blessed, bounteous, abundant, extraordinary, powerful, complete and joyous life remembering that God loves you so much that He gave His One and Only Son so that if You believe, You will live forever with Him.

February "Dinner for 50" - Date Change to Feb. 21st

2011-01-31T18:29:00.000-08:00

Ladies, once again we have a marvelous opportunity to demonstrate our love for the families of Network Tacoma! Each month these families come together for training and learning activities. They bring their children. And the [small] staff at Network Tacoma feeds them ALL dinner.

As part of our local service project, our chapter has volunteered to serve this dinner on:

Monday, February 21st

Soma Building, downtown Tacoma

2320 Pacific Avenue

The dinner takes place from 6-7pm,

with prep and cleanup time before and after.

We try to interact with the families as much as possible, during the course of our service, so that we are feeding bodies and spirits!

We will prepare and serve "Costco-style" lasagna, french bread, and salad. We still need a few volunteers the night of the event. You do not neccessarily need to stay the whole time; you can volunteer to prep, serve and/or clean up. We also need someone each month to volunteer to pick up and bring the lasagna, or, pre-cook at home and bring hot. Email wovsouthpugetsound@gmail.com to volunteer.

Let's show these families we care! Times are tough for everyone, but especially for formerly homeless families now trying to make ends meet in a transitional housing setting.

If you cannot volunteer, but would like to donate toward the meal, you can donate to our projects here. Thank you and God bless.

You are invited to join "Women of Vision on The City"

2011-01-31T14:38:00.000-08:00

The January 2010 edition of WOVen is now available at this link.

South Puget Sound ladies: please see the first article by our national director Cindy Breilh, and take special note of The City. All of our friends and partners are now invited to join The City.

When you join The City, you will first want to become a member of the Women of Vision group. But your first order of business after that should be to join the South Puget Sound group. While we will still have our own chapter website and blog, we will be using The City more often and will point virtually all of our national information links back to the public area of The City, on "the Plaza".

Also - please note that Women of Vision national is offering training on how to use The City. We will request a training session for south sound ladies and let you know when that is to occur. But you will need to be a member of Women of Vision on The City, and of South Puget Sound Chapter to receive this training invitation.

Welcome to the electronic communication age, ladies!
Blessings to you this week,
Lynn
Website / Communications Mgr. for SPS Women of Vision

Heart of the Matter Study Groups - Forming for Winter/Spring

2011-01-28T14:03:00.000-08:00

Have you taken part in The Heart of the Matter study part 1, and are now ready for part 2?

We have two groups starting up shortly to share in the "Heart of the Matter Module 2".

Preview the study here:

Module 2: "Communities Transformed with Change that Lasts" (6 sessions)

Study guides will be available on the first night of each study group (suggested donation is $10.00), or you can download and print at the above links for free, or order your own DVD of the study there.

Please bring your Bible to the study.

Email the group host to sign up, and to get directions:

1. Federal Way - Six Sessions from February 28th - April 11th (excluding April 4th) - email ktm60@gmail.com

2. Gig Harbor - Early Spring start date TBD - email pnwannie@yahoo.com

Education Meeting on Cambodia: Hope for Exploited Children - Jan. 24th

2011-01-14T13:40:00.000-08:00

Please join us for this free event, where we will hear from Sue Hanna, of Hagar International in Cambodia.

International Education Session

Cambodia: Hope for Exploited Children

Monday, January 24

6:30-7:30 p.m.

Location: World Vision, 34834 Weyerhaeuser Way S., Federal Way

This will be an international education gathering focusing on Cambodia and the work being done by various organizations through the IMPACTS project to help exploited children

About our speaker:

In a dirty, run-down hospital in Cambodia, Sue sat with a 16 year old girl dying of AIDS. At age 11, the girl had been sold by her mother to a brothel. The absolute waste of this young girl’s life would never leave Sue. Her heart was broken to the point of action, and she left her banking career to fulfill her passion of helping young women.

Sue spent 10 fulfilling years with World Vision New Zealand where she combined her passion for the poor and oppressed with a natural skill of public speaking. Since March 2005, Sue has been with HAGAR Cambodia, first setting up a home for girls aged 4-14 from Sexually Exploitative Situations, then co-managing the Children’s Department of eight projects and over 400 children. Currently, Sue serves as Residential Operations Manager of five Recovery Shelters for women and children from backgrounds of trafficking for sex , labor, or domestic violence situations.

Please share this invite! Click on image for a larger version.

January Devotional

2011-01-14T05:30:00.000-08:00

Resolute

All of us at one time or another have made resolutions. January is characteristically the time of year when we try to redefine ourselves. Our local gyms see an increase in memberships, Costco places closet organizer and garage shelving on the display floor and athletic trainers’ client lists increase. Have you set a New Year’s Resolution for 2011?

The great news for us as Christians is that we don’t have to wait 365 days to recreate ourselves. “If any man be in Christ, He is a new creation” and Jesus’ unconditional love is “new every morning”. Once Jesus is our Savior, we simply ask Him to forgive us or show us the way that He would have us go or ask Him about what we need to refine or change. He is faithful to answer our prayers and tell us what we need to change and then He empowers us to make those changes to our spirit, mind or body that flow out into our daily lives.

What goals have we set for this next year? This is a good month to reflect on purpose, plan and production. Our purpose is to "love the Lord our God with all our heart and soul and mind" and "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness". Every decision we make and every moment we live should reflect that purpose. He has a "plan for our life for good and not for calamity to give us a future and a hope". All of our plans should be in alignment with His plan for our life. Our production involves laboring in the fields for the harvest of souls into the Kingdom. How many souls have we ushered into the Throne Room?

As we begin 2011 it is fun to talk with friends about the usual goals of reorganizing our garage or our closets or renewing that gym membership so we can begin or increase our workout times and get into shape with a trainer. In addition, let’s begin in 2011 by praying about and pondering our purpose, God’s plan and Kingdom production. Every one of us is created by God "for His good pleasure" and like Jesus, our Perfect Example, we need to be about our Father’s business. Let us be resolute about it.

Dinner for 50: Volunteers Needed! Monday evening, January 10th

2011-01-04T17:46:00.000-08:00

Ladies, once again we have a marvelous opportunity to demonstrate our love for the families of Network Tacoma!

Each month these families come together for training and learning activities. They bring their children. And the [small] staff at Network Tacoma feeds them ALL dinner.

Our chapter has volunteered to serve this dinner on:

Monday, January 10th

Soma Building, downtown Tacoma

2320 Pacific Avenue

The dinner takes place from 6-7pm,
with prep and cleanup time before and after.
We try to interact with the families as much as possible, during the course of our service, so that we are feeding bodies and spirits!

We will prepare and serve "Costco-style" lasagna, french bread, and salad. We still need a few volunteers the night of the event. Email wovsouthpugetsound@gmail.com asap to volunteer!

Let's show these families we care! Times are tough for everyone, but especially for formerly homeless families now trying to make ends meet in a transitional housing setting.

If you cannot volunteer, but would like to donate toward the meal, you can donate to our projects here. Thank you and God bless.

Washington Anti-Trafficking Engagement Day - January 13th

2011-01-03T16:39:00.000-08:00

This Women of Vision chapter is committed to lending its voice and other resources to advocacy activities that will empower and protect women and children both here in the U.S. and internationally. Therefore we have opted to take a strong role in the upcoming Washington Anti-Trafficking Engagement Day, to be held at our state capitol in Olympia, on the afternoon of January 13th. Volunteer activites for the engagement day portion of the afternoon begin at 2pm.

This is an event where you can use YOUR voice. Even if you cannot volunteer, we invite you to come -- all friends and partners are encouraged to attend - this is a Public Event with media coverage!

DETAILS HERE

Event time at the capitol: 3:30-5pm

PLUS: We believe so strongly in this effort that we are also dedicating volunteer hours and chapter funds to host a luncheon for legislators on this day. While guests for this luncheon are by invitation only, we do need chapter leaders and partners to volunteer for set up and service during the luncheon.

The speaker will be Bradley Myles, CEO of the Polaris Project.

If you are a chapter partner or leader and can help with the luncheon (or with the engagement afternoon volunteer activities), please email wovsouthpugetsound@gmail.com as soon as possible, and we will give you a job to do! Arrival time for luncheon volunteers is 11am. Location is United Churches, 110 11th Ave SE, Olympia.

Merry Christmas Beautiful Women!

2010-12-22T10:56:00.000-08:00

December Devotional: Emmanuel

2010-12-17T22:15:00.000-08:00

Emmanuel

Mary is one of those friends who walks into your heart and takes up residency there. She fills your heart with kindness and care through her deeds, sacrificially giving and finding great joy in doing so. She thrives on being a blessing and doesn’t miss a chance to bake cookies, send a cheery note, or invite you for dinner. Mary is a heart friend. I like that idea of a heart friend.

I pondered that idea for a minute and the thought came that Jesus is a heart Friend. Once invited, He takes up residency and fills our hearts with His radiating love that permeates the layers that have separated us from Him melting away fear and hurt and pain. He is gracious to take only the space that we give Him and patiently waits in the drawing room until He is invited into each room. It is because Jesus has been invited into Mary’s heart that Love spills over and permeates people whose lives she touches.

Steven Curtis Chapman wrote a song entitled “Christmas Is All in the Heart” found on The Music of Christmas CD

Chorus:

“Cause Christmas is all in the heart, that's where the feeling starts

And like a fire inside, it touches every part

‘Cause Christmas is all in the heart

And even if no white snow falls, that's all right because

The joy can still be found, wherever you are

Cause Christmas is all, all in the heart

No, it's not in the snow that may or may not fall

And it's not in the gifts around the tree

It's in the love heaven gave, the night our Savior came

And that same love can still be found wherever you are

'Cause Christmas is all in the heart

And the joy can still be found, wherever you are

'Cause Christmas is all, all in the heart

It's all in the heart

Emmanuel. God is with us. That is the message of Christmas. Jesus came as a baby to this earth so that He could live and die and be raised again and through His Holy Spirit reside with us in our hearts. He is our heart Friend who sticks closer than a brother, who comforts and encourages, who calls and empowers. We ask that our hearts would be broken by the things that break the heart of God because He came. Joy to the world!

CANCELLED THIS MONTH! Next Service Opportunity at Network Tacoma

2010-12-01T20:54:00.000-08:00

UPDATE: THIS HAS BEEN CANCELLED. It turns out there are other holiday related activities taking place this month, so our gathering has been cancelled. The next opportunity should be on January 8th--stay tuned!

Our monthly opportunity to fellowship with and serve Network Tacoma families, and enjoy craft activities with the children, will take place soon.

Let's spread a little Christmas cheer! If you would like to participate, please bring one of the following items - enough for 10-12 people:

--Bagels--Coffee--Juice--Fruit

Saturday, December 11th

10 - 11:30am

(Please arrive a few minutes early to set up.)

Location: Network Tacoma Office

5435 S. M Street

Tacoma, WA

Questions? Email wovsouthpugetsound@gmail.com

Thank you!

Mali Child Sponsor Visit - Video Posted!

2010-11-30T20:09:00.000-08:00

November Devotional: Psalm 103

2010-11-22T07:16:00.000-08:00

PSALM 103

Psalm 103 expresses thanksgiving and praise to the Lord for all his benefits and blessings that he bestows on his people. During this Thanksgiving week, may we remember anew God’s goodness to us and remember his blessings that He showers on us and may we in turn by His Hands extended to the poor and marginalized in our world.

Psalm 103 (New International Version)

1Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—
3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6 The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
7He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:
8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.
15 The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field;
16 the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.
17 But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children—
18 with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.
19The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.
20 Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding,who obey his word.
21 Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.
22 Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the LORD, my soul.

Sex Trafficking has come to Tacoma

2010-11-03T09:54:00.000-07:00

"Sex trafficking is an international problem. It is certainly not taking place in MY backyard."

FALSE.

Tiffany Bluhm of Charisma and Esteem Ministries will educate us about this problem which really IS taking place in our area. Yes, our hearts are broken by what is happening in other countries. But are we in denial that the U.S. also has a serious problem?

Tiffany is a breath of fresh air and an amazing force of energy. You will enjoy hearing from her, even if your heart is broken by what you learn.

We will also give more detail about our human trafficking victims recovery project in Cambodia. Did you know that one of our chapter members is planning to visit Cambodia, and bring back first hand news of this important project?

Please join us for this free event - open to all women; bring interested friends and colleagues:

"Sex Sells Lies"

November 9, 2010

7-8pm

Life Center, Tacoma

Speaker: Tiffany Bluhm

See more detail and

Print Event Flyer Here

Dinner for 50 at Network Tacoma--Calling All Hands!!

2010-10-28T12:37:00.000-07:00

Ladies, we have a marvelous opportunity to demonstrate our love for the families of Network Tacoma!

Each month these families come together for training and learning, at the Network Tacoma office. They bring their children. And the staff at Network Tacoma feeds them ALL dinner.

Our chapter has volunteered to bring and serve this dinner on:

Monday, November 8th.

The dinner takes place from 6-7pm, with prep and cleanup time before and after. We are asking for donations of "Costco-style" lasagna, french bread, and salad. We will need a few volunteers the night of the event. If you cannot volunteer, but can donate lasagna or bread, you can bring your donations to Network Tacoma on Friday or Monday--but no later than several hours ahead (since frozen lasagna takes awhile to cook!) If you are unable to donate food but can donate your time, that would be wonderful as well!

Let's show these families we care! Times are tough for everyone, but especially for formerly homeless families now trying to make ends meet in a transitional housing setting.

Email wovsouthpugetsound@gmail.com to volunteer and/or donate, and Holly will reply with additional details. Thank you and God bless.

Partnership Meeting this Sunday: 10 Things You Can Do!

2010-10-21T09:00:00.000-07:00

We are praying for a large turnout for our Partnership / Information gathering this Sunday! Will you be there? We want to get to know you better!

Here is just part of what we will share:

I became a partner...now what?? Ten things you can do TODAY, THIS WEEK, THIS MONTH....
Summary of our new international project: supporting recovery efforts for human trafficking victims in Cambodia.
Information for women considering partnership with Women of Vision and asking: is this the place for me?

Partnership Gathering

Sunday, October 24th, 6-8pm

Puyallup Nazarene Church Coffee Shop

1026 7th Ave SW, Puyallup

RSVP's not required but are helpful: wovsouthpugetsound@gmail.com

Partners: Service Opportunity with Network Tacoma This Saturday

2010-10-18T21:45:00.000-07:00

Network Tacoma serves families in transitional housing. We have an opportunity to fellowship and serve these families, and enjoy craft activities with the children. If you would like to participate, please bring one of the following items - enough for 10-12 people:

Bagels
Juice
Coffee
Fruit

Location: Network Tacoma Office

5435 S. M Street

Tacoma, WA

Saturday, October 23rd

10 - 11:30am

Please arrive a few minutes early to set up.

Questions? Email wovsouthpugetsound@gmail.com

Thank you!

October Devotional: Change Your Power Source

2010-10-15T23:12:00.000-07:00

Change Your Power Source

After a slammed day at work, there I was sitting on my laptop at home trying to catch up on my email and Face book and check my bank accounts before I went to bed. Suddenly quite subtly in the lower right hand corner of my screen in a rectangular box appeared the words “Change your power source”. I was stunned for a few seconds and then I started laughing out loud! Isn’t God amazing? A precise, exact and definite reminder that flashed like neon in my soul! YES! That is exactly what I needed to do. Here I was yet again, doing my life, my day, my evening my way. I was stressed, exhausted and discouraged. Why? For the most part, I was relying on myself and words from “man” to guide and direct me in the hurried and the harried of my life.

Our sweet, tender and kind Lord just popped into my spirit in a way that He knew would capture my attention. By the way, my computer usually gives me a percentage of power remaining in that little rectangular box. I haven’t seen those words before or since. They really got me thinking. So, let me ask three classic journalistic questions: Who is our power source? Where is our power source? What is our power source?

Who is our power source? Is it God or self? When self is our power source, there is no peace and absolutely no grace. There is stress and strife. We feel trapped and without hope. This happens in degrees as it begins small and grows and can end in despair and hopelessness. By contrast, when God is our power source there is freedom and we find peace and grace; there is hope and boldness and courage. When we take His yoke upon us it is light. There is no strain, no stress. God goes before us. The way is straight. Let’s let God be our power source today remembering that “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it” (I Cor. 10:26)

Where is our power source? Are we “in” the world or “of” the world? Jesus said that we are to be in the world, but not of the world in. John 8:23 But he continued, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.” Jesus came into the world but he never was of the world. He as our example remained the perfect Son of God by not being tainted by the world. So what does it look like to be of the world? The way of the world, the trends of the day are what we adhere to rather than God’s way. Matthew 6:33 asks us “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self (Luke 9:25) or his soul?” (Matt. 16:26) We are reminded in Matthew 6:33 to seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto us. We are to follow Jesus in His example to be in the world and not of it.
What is our power source? Is it the truth from God’s Word or is it information from man’s words? Do we listen to what people say through their philosophies and beliefs that are contrary to the Word? Do we know the Word of God enough to keep us from being deceived? Do we hide God’s Word in our hearts so that we do not sin against Him? His Word is a light to our feet and a lamp to our path (Ps.119:1015). Whose report will we believe about our health and our finances and our hope? We will not find the truth in New York’s Best Sellers or on a TV weekly “sit com”. We won’t find the truth in the Wall Street Journal or Time magazine. What are we putting into our minds to undergird us so we don’t fall? God’s Word is to be what we read and hide deep in our hearts so that in real time our motivations and actions line up with what His Word says.

As we go about our day this week, let’s think about our power source. Who is our power source? Is it God or self? Where is out power source? Are we “in” the world but not “of” the world? What is our power source? Is it God’s Word or man’s words? I am so grateful that God loves me so much that He is willing to communicate with me where I am even if it’s on my computer! Let’s ask Him to show us how to keep Him as our power source this week and always.

Africa Vision Trip for Women of Vision - Leaves Tuesday

2010-10-15T08:29:00.000-07:00

One of our chapter leaders, Lynn A., will depart on Tuesday for a Vision Trip to Mali, Africa. Eight women will spend 10 days together - all of them Women of Vision chapter members - from around the country. This trip is being led by Angela Mason, Senior Advisor for Women of Vision.

The focus of the trip is to view water projects, and to visit villages in various stages of the transformational development process.

Highlights of the trip will include:

Visits with sponsored children, one of whom is Lynn's child - 12 year old Safi (see photo)
Meeting with several groups of women, some of whom are shea butter or soap makers
Visiting several water boreholes, with at least one doing live drilling
Hearing / seeing the challenges of children with trachoma, malaria and parasites, including a visit to a school for blind children

Please pray as follows:

Safety in flight. Each member of the team travels independently to France, some leaving on October 19th, and others on October 20th. They fly from France to Mali on October 22nd, and back to Paris on October 29th - and each make their way back to the U.S. on separate flights over the following days.
Safety on ground travel. The team routes and debriefs in Paris, where terror threats have been high in recent weeks. The team will not use the underground transportation systems. Also, ground travel in Africa can be quite treacherous so pray for their drivers.
Pray for the hearts of the women on this trip, that they will be broken but not crushed.
Pray that this team can give and receive joy with the dear women, children, and staff in Mali with whom they come in contact, and, that sensitivity and understanding in this Muslim culture will occur.

Partnership Meeting This Month - Sunday Oct. 24th

2010-10-14T08:38:00.000-07:00

We have kicked off our new fiscal year with new goals and a fresh infusion of energy! We are excited to share these plans with our partners.

This will be a time of fellowship for all partners, and for women interested in becoming partners, in the Women of Vision South Puget Sound Chapter. Please invite any friends / colleagues who have an interest in learning more about partnership and about becoming involved with Women of Vision.

We will announce a shift in our international project from microfinance in Cambodia, to supporting a recovery center for victing of sex trafficking. You won't want to miss this!

Partnership Gathering

Sunday, October 24th, 6-8pm

Puyallup Nazarene Church Coffee Shop

1026 7th Ave SW, Puyallup

RSVP's not required but are helpful: wovsouthpugetsound@gmail.com

We need to take a new photo with all of our partners! See you there?!

Urgent Prayer for Cindy Brielh, WOV Director

2010-10-11T20:35:00.000-07:00

This morning, Cindy Brielh's mother went home unexpectedly to be with the Lord.

We ask that all join us in prayer and a few moments in silence.

Team Mongolia Arrives Safely

2010-10-10T08:23:00.000-07:00

Team Mongolia

We have received our first email from Team Mongolia. and are delighted to report that they arrived in Seoul, Korea safely, were warmly greeted by both the World Vision Korea Staff and the lovely weather.

Sandy writes" Last night we were in the second row for a televised program from a large stadium featuring many famous performing stars, donating their time and talent to put on a wonderful show. There was old film footage shown with World Vision founder Bob Pierce in his early days here in Korea. It is very special for us to be here with Bob's daughter Marilee and her family and enjoy how touching this is for them."

See the full email here and remember to continue praying for Team Mongolia. Join us at our prayer blog for updates and prayers.

"Sex Sells Lies" - Educational Gathering, Nov. 9th

2010-10-08T14:01:00.000-07:00

Tiffany Bluhm, of Charisma and Esteem Ministries, will be our first educational gathering speaker of the new program year.

Did you know that Tacoma is third in the nation for prostitution? Tiffany will share with us how serious the problem is locally, and, offer hope for redemptive change.

Tiffany was abandoned as a baby in India, by her mother. Adopted and loved by a family the U.S., Tiffany nonetheless struggled with feelings of abandonment and loneliness. Tiffany will share her own story as well as stories of local women who have turned their lives around. Tiffany was a favorite speaker at our human trafficking conference last June, so we are delighted to hear from her again.

We will also share information about the new human trafficking recovery project in Cambodia, which our chapter is honored to support in the coming year.

This event is free and open to all women, so bring a friend!

November 9, 2010 - 7 to 8pm

Life Center, Tacoma - 1717 Union Ave

(Click on image to enlarge and print)

WoV Group Departs for Mongolia Today!

2010-10-07T08:26:00.000-07:00

Our own Patty D. - sponsorship chair for the WoV SPS chapter - departs today with a Women of Vision group, to visit World Vision / Women of Vision projects in Mongolia.

Please keep Patty and the team in prayer!

Learn more about their trip here.

God speed, Patty!!

Fall Heart of the Matter Study Groups Announced

2010-10-02T19:00:00.000-07:00

Have you been wanting to take part in
The Heart of the Matter study?

Several of our Chapter members will lead the Women of Vision "Heart of the Matter" study group series this fall.

This is a wonderful opportunity to delve into God's Word, and to look specifically at what the Bible says to us about poverty and justice. It also offers an opportunity to share how we can use what we learn in our community and beyond. A special and important part of the study is the chance to get to know other women who share a love of Christ and His compassion for the hurting of our world. And if you are not yet a partner with Women of Vision, this study can help you determine if WoV is a volunteer group you wish to join. Please consider participating in this study this fall with one of these groups of ladies. All are welcome.

Preview the study here:
Module 1: "Hope in a World of Hurt" (4 sessions)
Module 2: "Communities Transformed with Change that Lasts" (6 sessions)
Study guides will be available on the first night of each study group (the cost is $10.00), or you can download and print at the above links for free, or order your own DVD of the study here.
Please bring your Bible to the study.

Email the group host to sign up, and to get directions:
1. HOTM Part 1, Federal Way - Four sessions beginning October 11th - email ktm60@comcast.net
2. HOTM Part 2, Federal Way/Browns Point- Six sessions beginning October 28th - email wovsouthpugetsound@gmail.com
3. HOTM Part 1, Gig Harbor - Four sessions beginning November 4th - email pnwannie@yahoo.com

World Vision 60th Anniversary This Week

2010-09-23T19:28:00.000-07:00

World Vision Is Sixty
1950-2010

This week marks our celebration of World Vision’s 60th anniversary! Please join us by reading World Vision magazine stories related to our history, including “In My Father’s Footsteps,” Marilee Dunker’s moving account of visiting China, where her father found his inspiration to start World Vision (don’t miss her supporting blogs); or “Past Meets Present,” Dean Owen’s report on Korea—North and South—where World Vision began serving orphans and the poor in 1950.

Other stories include “Eyewitness to a Vision,” six first-person essays from key moments in World Vision’s history, and “Rest From Their Labors,” honoring staff members who gave their lives serving in the world’s most difficult places.

You can also watch videos about our history at worldvisiontv.org, including a clip of our founder, Bob Pierce, on “This is Your Life.” Or see a photo slideshow on World Vision’s website.

We at the South Puget Sound Chapter of Women of Vision, a program of World Vision, consider it an honor to be partnering with this incredible Christian humanitarian organization to bring hope to the poor and marginalized in our world. We join in celebrating sixty years of an incredible story of God's Hands extended through Dr. Bob Pierce whose heart was broken by the things that break the heart of God.

From Women of Vision Blog 9/23/10

Sept. Devotional: Ponder Anew What the Almighty Can Do!

2010-09-19T15:09:00.000-07:00

Ponder Anew What The Almighty Can Do!

The tyranny of the urgent seems to drive most of our lives in America. We are constantly trying to beat the clock to that next appointment, meet that next deadline, and even make that green light! We rush around as if what was happening in our lives and what needed to be done was the most urgent thing in the universe. How do we gain perspective? Years ago when I was under the hammer of the urgent, I would check myself with another phrase, “Consider the universe”.

This phrase would set me into a sequence toward calm. I trained my mind to stop and visualize the universe and then take my visualization from the universe to our solar system and then to planet Earth. By then I had at least stopped gulping my coffee and began to consider the North American Continent and then the United States of America.Continuing my progression from magnanimous to small next I would consider the State of Colorado where I was living then the city (Denver), the street, the building, the floor, the office and finally the desk that I was occupying.By going from the inconceivably huge to my tiny space it helped me to realize that my stressors were small in comparison.The picture of the universe that I kept on my desk was my reminder that my current frustration or task was not urgent enough to rob me of my peace.

I often wonder what God thinks of us as we scurry about with our urgent. I wonder what He thinks of my 15 hour work days or my endless lists of things that must get done. Actually, I don’t wonder at all. His Word is very clear on what is urgent and it isn’t my lists and my 15 hour work days. Things that are urgent to Jesus are loving Him with all my heart, soul and mind and seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness because He promises that “all these things will be added unto those” who follow His Word. His urgency is to help the poor and needy, to bring comfort to the comfortless, and to proclaim the Good News in a world where good news is scarce.When I face next Monday, my prayer is that God’s urgency will prevail.

Will you join me in making that your prayer? May we ponder anew what the Almighty can do if we but let Him. I challenge us to look at what is urgent in our lives. If it isn’t what God finds urgent, may we break the tyranny of it. May we take His yoke upon ourselves and learn of Him for his yoke is easy, without urgency, without tyranny and it definitely leads to peace.

Psalm 150:2
Praise Him for his acts of power; praise Him for his surpassing greatness.

Praise to the Lord Almighty (All verses)
Joachim Neander 1680

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near;
Praise Him in glad adoration.

Praise to the Lord, who over all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen how thy desires ever have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?

Praise to the Lord, who hath fearfully, wondrously, made thee;
Health hath vouchsafed and, when heedlessly falling, hath stayed thee.
What need or grief ever hath failed of relief?
Wings of His mercy did shade thee.

Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
If with His love He befriend thee.

Praise to the Lord, who, when tempests their warfare are waging,
Who, when the elements madly around thee are raging,
Biddeth them cease, turneth their fury to peace,
Whirlwinds and waters assuaging.

Praise to the Lord, who, when darkness of sin is abounding,
Who, when the godless do triumph, all virtue confounding,
Sheddeth His light, chaseth the horrors of night,
Saints with His mercy surrounding.

Praise to the Lord, O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him.
Let the Amen sound from His people again,
Gladly for aye we adore Him.

Urgent Advocacy Action Needed!

2010-09-16T18:53:00.000-07:00

Child Protection Compact Act in Danger of being voted down!

You can make a difference by contacting your senator.

Details Here.

Heart of the Matter Study Group - Gig Harbor Area, This Fall

2010-09-10T10:13:00.000-07:00

Have you been wanting to take part in The Heart of the Matter study? Here's your chance!

One of our chapter members, Gail, is very excited to lead the Women of Vision "Heart of the Matter" study this fall. She led a Gig Harbor study group just before summer started, and reports it was a great experience. It was a chance to get into God's Word and to look specifically at what it says to us about poverty and justice. It also offered an opportunity to share how we can use what we learn in our community and beyond. A special and important part of the study is the chance to get to know other women who share a love of Christ and His compassion for the hurting of our world.

Please consider joining us.

Preview the HOTM study here.

Exact details for dates/times are still being determined but here is the tentative plan:

Wednesday or Thursday evenings from 7:00-8:30

Will start on Nov. 3rd or 4th and run for 4 weeks

(Note: The last week is Thanksgiving week so the group will have to decide if we want to meet earlier that week or have our last meeting the week of Nov. 29th.)

Study guides will be available on the first night (the cost is $10.00). Also -- be sure to bring your Bible.

If you would like to join this study group, please email: wovsouthpugetsound@gmail.com.
Please indicate your preference of either Weds. or Thurs. evenings.

God's Faithfulness - Cambodia Fundraiser

2010-08-25T08:03:00.000-07:00

The faithfulness of God was demonstrated the evening of August 23, 2010 with our Glitterbug Prasath Ballang Cambodia Fundraiser!

Faithfulness Facts:

Eeight women attended the fundraiser
Five women donated their earnings from gold sold
The donated hostess 10% bonus was $365.51
The donated earnings were $2,672.82
The total earned for our Project was $3,016.27 !!

Lovely ladies form the North Chapter came and supported us along with a new partner and a friend; all of whom donated their total earnings! God sent just the right people with hearts for the poor and marginalized women in Cambodia to do this mighty thing. We are so very grateful.

Thank you to those of you who prayed for this fundraiser. Your prayers have availed much!

See more photos from this event here.

Lynn's Prayer Walk Relay for Appalachia

2010-08-22T15:40:00.000-07:00

This summer I witnessed the beauty and the poverty of the Appalachian mountains in northern West Virginia. In some ways it felt like home here in Washington state, thanks to the abundance of green trees. In other ways it was plain to see that family upon family were dwelling in homes that would be condemned as uninhabitable, here in Washington.

I learned that generational poverty is completely different than the temporary poverty caused by a sudden downturn in the economy or by a health crisis. Generational poverty exists in rural areas like Appalachia due to an extreme lack of jobs yes, but also to generations lacking in education and opportunity.

This past summer it was brought to the attention of local World Vision staff that an elderly woman had been living without running water for something like 25 years...! So they installed plumbing and a hot water heater - and a working toilet...can you imagine the tears all around as the woman received that amazing gift? And the ability to take a WARM shower?

The staff also told me about a teenage girl involved in WV's community/youth programs, who worked very hard at her studies throughout high school, and managed to earn a scholarship to a college some 25 or so miles away. Her ticket to a better life, within her grasp!! Only, her father refused to allow her to go. Many of these folks have never even been out of their own counties. They do not want to lose their children to the "outside world." The girl was heartbroken. (I am dying to know what happens now...surely she will find a way?!) But maybe not. Girls get married and have children very young here. And the generational cycle of poverty continues...

I love that the work World Vision is doing, which is supported in part by our local Women of Vision chapter, is not a "hand out", but instead, is a partnership: a "hand up." Families receiving missions teams for home improvement projects are referred by their local pastor, and must meet numerous requirements to receive services. And at the end of the missions project they provide a meal for the entire team. I was so blessed to spend a little time helping out at the home of Patti, a mother of 14 and grandmother of 60+ children. Despite a difficult life she was joyful and inviting, and her belief in God and in his people seems unshakable.

After I returned home, some friends invited me to join their 8-woman walking relay team. Maybe you have heard of it...the Portland to Coast Relay? At first I thought, no way! Last year I did a half marathon and I vowed I would not participate in anything over 10 miles again!! And my part of the PTC relay is 14+ miles! Thankfully however, I have three legs with a couple of hours rest in between each, to cover those 14 miles. And I thought, what if I decided to pray for the people of Appalachia along the way, and raise a little money for Appalachia program work?? So I decided to go for it!

I know there are many, many causes clamoring for donations these days, and we cannot give to everything that comes our way. But even $5 or $10 here and there adds up to make a difference! I believe in helping our brothers and sisters right here in America. And now that I have seen the dedication and hard work of our World Vision staff in West Virginia, and met women & children in Appalachia first hand, I know I want to have a hand in lifting these dear people out of spiritual and physical poverty.

So if you feel led, please join me by donating to our projects. All donations given via this link directly benefit the projects supported by this Women of Vision chapter.

And if you are so led, please pray for me on Friday & Saturday August 27 & 28, as I complete my relay legs. Our start time is 4:30am on Friday, and we should roll into Seaside Oregon for the final mile at about 10:00am Saturday morning. One of my legs will be walked in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of the night (which is a little scary!)

1. Leg 18 - classified "Hard" - 4.15 miles, all a gradual uphill: I will pray for Morgantown, WV

2. Leg 26 - classified "Hard" - 5.77 miles, with a 2-mile uphill at the end: I will pray for Philippi, WV

3. Leg 34 - classified "Moderate" - 4.13 miles - yes - a short leg with gently rolling hills! I will pray for our staff conducting the massive work being facilitated out of World Vision's global distribution center in Pittsburgh, PA.

See more photos from Lynn & Laura's Appalachia trip here.

Donate to Lynn's Prayer Relay here.

Thank you sooooo much!!

Lynn, of SPS Women of Vision

August Devotional: God's Faithfulness

2010-08-12T06:30:00.000-07:00

Lamentations 3:22-23

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; They are new every morning; Great is your faithfulness.”

We have all seen firsthand the faithfulness of God. We recently experienced it through the circumstance of what Holly, a member of our Leadership Team, and her family went through with their baby, Sage, while she was hospitalized for the third week of her life. Holly’s account reminded us that it was her faith along with her family and friends that enabled her to make it through this difficult trial as she had "faithful patience" believing in the faithfulness of God to hear her prayers for her baby girl.

God’s faithfulness is recorded throughout scriptures. We think of the children of Israel as they were rescued from the Egyptians as the Red Sea opened for them and closed upon the pursuing Egyptian army and God's faithful provision as they wandered the wilderness for forty years. We see God’s faithfulness to Rachel, Ruth and Rahab. Time and again we see the hand of God proving His faithfulness to His children.

God’s faithfulness is something that we can count on and yet at times, we forget. We worry and fret about things and try to count on ourselves. Today let’s focus on Him and His faithfulness to accomplish those things that concern us. He is able and He will do it.

"Great Is Thy Faithfulness."
Great is Thy faithfulness, Oh God My Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee.
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Prasath Ballang Cambodia Fundraiser

2010-08-04T20:47:00.000-07:00

You Are Invited

PRASATH BALLANG CAMBODIA FUNDRAISER

Date: Monday, August 23 2010

Time: 6:00-8:00 PM

Location: 31247 10th Ct. SW, Federal Way

Phone: 206.429.2634

Join in the fun as we raise money for our South Puget Sound Chapter of Women of Vision Prasath Ballang, Cambodia Project with a Glitterbug Gold Party.

Gold prices are between $1000 and $1200 per ounce, so rummage around in your jewelry box to find broken, mismatched or unworn gold jewelry pieces ( plus dental gold, watches, etc.) and bring them to the party. A Gold Buyer will evaluate your pieces on the spot and offer you the opportunity to trade for money. At a recent party attended by one of our members, she took home $494 from just a few pieces, and had a lovely time with friends! Each seller receives a check in the full amount of their proceeds from the sale of their gold.

All hostess benefits will be donated to the Prasath Ballang, Cambodia Project.
There is no obligation to sell. For more details, click here
If enough participate, all seller's names will be put into a drawing for a free Coach handbag.

Unable to attend? Then it's "Gold on the Go". Put your gold in a labeled bag, sign a Customer Purchase Agreement and send it to me or have a friend bring it. Contact me for details.

Join us for food and wine and make a difference in the lives of children and women in Prasath Ballang, Cambodia. You can read about our project in Prasath Ballang here. Bring life in all its fullness to these women and children in the Kompong Thom Province living on less than $1 a day.

Please RSVP by Friday, August 20, 2010
by emailing: wovsouthpugetsound@gmail.com

Summer Reading Suggestion

2010-07-23T21:05:00.000-07:00

What does it feel like to live life as a homeless person on the streets of Ft. Worth, TX? How should we respond when God calls us to serve the homeless and be His Hands extended to the marginalized in our cities?

Denver Moore and Ron Hall's journey in the New York Times Bestseller the Same Kind of Different As Me answers both of these questions in an amazing true story of how God brought together a man of complete poverty and a wealthy international art dealer through the prayers and vision of a Godly woman, Deborah Hall.

The contrasts presented when two men encounter one another creates a seemingly impossible blend of two lives but as the reader turns the pages a beautiful tapestry is created capturing the essence of forgiveness, unconditional love and the miracle of life-changing conversions on the part of both men. Follow the Reader's Guide to discover what happened when three lives dealt with prejudice, homelessness, sickness and suffering, forgiveness and faith that changed their city forever. "This is a truly wonderful book!" Mrs. Barbara Bush.

After reading this book, please share your comments with us here.

SchoolTools Backpack Assembly Takes Place Today

2010-07-21T08:27:00.000-07:00

The North Puget Sound chapter of Women of Vision has graciously extended the invitation to our chapter partners & friends to join them in this local service activity. They plan to stuff around 2,000 backpacks!

School Tools is a program benefiting children in need by supplying them with a backpack stuffed full of school supplies. We will have the pleasure of helping to assemble these backpacks. All are welcome to join!

July 21, 2010

10am - 2pm

(may attend for only part of this time)

Location:

World Vision Distribution Center

4200 Industry Drive East, Suite D

Fife, WA

July Devotional: God's Good Plan Jer. 29:11

2010-07-20T12:30:00.000-07:00

Our July devotion is a very personal one shared by our Spiritual Life Chair encouraging us to remember God's good plan for our lives when we face dire circumstances. There are times when circumstances belie our beliefs. Events surround us that challenge the Word of God that permeates our soul. The Word of God is the same yesterday, today and forever. God promises good plans yet, circumstances happen that appear anything but good.

How do we face such trails? As Christians we have the Lord and His Holy Spirit, the scriptures, and family and friends for guidance and support but we also have free will. Despite what we have in Christ, do we become angry, bitter and vengeful? Even with support from family and friends, do we engage in self pity and grovel in sadness? Indeed we might choose some of these things for a time. Sometimes it is part of the process. However, aren’t we compelled to be better than that through Christ who strengthens us? God’s good plan for us doesn’t change with dire circumstances. All circumstances work together for the good to bring about God’s good plan for our lives.

Yes, God does have a plan for our life for good and not for calamity that does give us a future and a hope. Yes, all things do work together for the good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Yes, God’s love never fails and His Word is the same yesterday and forever. These are the promises that we hold as we work through trails. All of us face difficulties, but as we stand firm on God’s promises by faith, nothing can overcome God’s will for our lives or God’s good plan. We can use our circumstances as testimonies of God's faithfulness as we reach out to others through Women of Vision South Puget Sound Chapter to those in need.

Our Spiritual Life Chair, Karen, invites you to read this devotional in full here.

Moving Video Posted of Our Human Trafficking Conference

2010-07-10T18:01:00.000-07:00

Rebecca Halton, a delightful World Vision intern and videographer, attended our Human Trafficking conference in June. Out of her own initiative and passion for the injustices discussed at the conference, she created this very moving video. We are so excited that women of all ages are passionate advocates, joining the cause to end these evil practices.

Trafficking in Persons Report Released

2010-07-06T22:22:00.000-07:00

This extensive report was just released by the Department of State.
Definitely worth a look.
You might note that the United States is now listed...

TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS REPORT

JUNE 2010

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Appalachia Visit by SPS Chapter--Next Week

2010-07-03T09:56:00.000-07:00

Two members of the leadership team for our chapter will visit West Virginia next week, to learn about rural poverty in the U.S., and, experience Women of Vision / World Vision program and missions work in the area. Our group is committed to raising funds for these programs, and, we hope next year to send a much larger group from our chapter, on a missions trip. Please pray for safety and understanding.

Women of Vision Staff Position Available!

2010-07-01T16:51:00.001-07:00

Tip of the Day!

Do you love Women of Vision, have experience managing and training volunteer programs, and live in the Seattle/Tacoma area? A great new job has just been posted with Women of Vision - check it out! Jobs at World Vision/Women of Vision tend to get filled quickly, so if you are interested, do not delay!

National Chapter Advisor for Women of Vision

www.worldvision.org/careers

June Devotionals: Praise You In the Storm

2010-06-19T17:32:00.000-07:00

Psalm 121 verses one and two serve as our Bible verses for our June devotional as we reflect on our journey of the past six months. Together we answered the call of God to educate and advocate for the victims of human trafficking which culminated with an anti-human trafficking conference held with Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church in Gig Harbor on June 5, 2010. Although God met us at every turn and showed Himself strong on our behalf as we dreamed and planned, we experienced varying degrees of stress and pressure to accomplish the impossible and overcome what at times felt like the insurmountable. For a while a storm hovered, the storm clouds burst, fear of failure rained down and we wondered.

Then the Light began to come into our efforts, we believed "the One who calls you is faithful and He will do it" (I Th.5:24) and we stopped doubting. When the day of the conference arrived even the elements declared the defeat of the grim and gray. The Holy Spirit was evident as all things came together in harmony and He orchestrated a perfect day. The Word of hope went out to the people and the enemy was defeated. The Light overcame the darkness. God was faithful and He had done it. People found hope as they learned about a hopeless topic. People were equipped with ways to take action against human trafficking leaving inspired and encouraged. He has shown us again that when He gives a vision and sends the call and we step out in faith, He will do the rest. "My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth." This is our reflection and our testimony.

Our Spiritual Life Chair, Karen, invites you to read this devotional in full here

Listen to Casting Crowns' Praise You in This Storm as a prayer for victims of human trafficking

Photos Posted from Human Trafficking Conference

2010-06-13T21:42:00.000-07:00

Words can hardly express how deeply appreciative we are to Chapel Hill, to our speakers, to our partners & friends, and to all of the attendees at this month's conference on Human Trafficking. We are now in the midst of 30 days of prayer following the conference, and invite all to join.

For more photos from the conference, click here.

Mrs. Song: Hope and Inspiration to Trafficking Survivors

2010-06-03T21:07:00.000-07:00

Why hold a conference on Human Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery?

So that more stories of hope like Mrs. Song's can be told.

Saturday, June 5th, 9am

Registration Continues for June 5th Human Trafficking Conference

2010-05-24T10:16:00.000-07:00

www.wovsps.org

New Partnership Information Meeting -- May 14

2010-05-12T14:12:00.000-07:00

We are so delighted that the Lord has brought us several new partners over the past couple of months! You know what that means: time for a party!

New partners are invited to an informal gathering to meet and greet chapter leadership and present partners.

Here are the details:
Date: Friday, May 14
Time: 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Where: Puyallup Nazarene Church
(1026 7th Avenue SW, Puyallup, WA 98371)

If you are not yet a partner it's not too late to get in on this! Please join as a partner here, and then RSVP to let us know that you can make it! It will be wonderful to meet our new partners and share about our upcoming Break the Chain...Find Your Voice conference, among other activities occurring within our chapter.

If you are wondering what partnership is all about, please read more about it here. If you would like to attend this meet & greet but are not yet certain if partnership is right for you, we invite you to RSVP and come anyway! It would be a joy to meet you and explain more about it.

God bless,
Annie & Brenda
SPS Women of Vision Co-Chairs

Mary Heller of IJM to speak at Human Trafficking Conference

2010-05-07T19:35:00.000-07:00

As Director of International Investigations for a field office of International Justice Missions, Mary Heller works with six investigators to identify, document, and release victims of forced labour in the districts surrounding Chennai, India.

And you thought your work day was challenging!?!

Modern day slavery emerges in various forms but ultimately involves those with power exploiting the poor through means of fear, violence, psychological abuse, and other means of oppression. Because of the power differential between the facility owners and the bonded laborers, the later becomes extremely vulnerable to violent crime such as kidnap, assault, and sexual assault. Investigators seek to identify those in forced labor, gain their trust, document their stories, and sustain their hope through a vision of freedom until they can be rescued. Mary will talk about the darkness that surrounds forced labor and the light of hope that is given to the victims through God's work at IJM.

Please join us in learning about these issues, and find out what part you can play in combatting such practices. No, we cannot all live in India and spend our days investigating crimes against humanity. But we can ALL do at least ONE THING about it.

Find Your Voice...Break the Chain
Conference on Human Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Cost: $40, including lunch/snacks
Location: Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church, Gig Harbor
REGISTRATION AND MORE DETAIL AT: WWW.WOVSPS.ORG

30 Days of Prayer Begins

2010-05-05T19:49:00.000-07:00

Leadership team members for SPS Women of Vision have entered into a time of daily, focused prayer, leading up to our Human Trafficking conference.

It is our desire to bring honor and glory to the Lord and equip attendees at this conference with knowledge about human trafficking, hope in the darkness and inspiration to action in the fight against human trafficking. We further desire to raise up a sizable army against this darkness, thus hoping that the conference is well attended. The fulfillment of these desires cannot be accomplished without prayer.

If you feel led to do so, we ask that you hold us up in prayer as well.

Woman of Vision from North Carolina Speaks in World Vision Staff Chapel

2010-04-28T21:05:00.000-07:00

You never know what God has in store!

Carolyn Hudson, a member of the Charlotte chapter of Women of Vision, spoke today and inspired the entire World Vision staff, at their weekly chapel services.

Carolyn visited Guatemala with Women of Vision, and, found her life changed forever by what she witnessed there. Specifically, Carolyn visited women whose lives had been greatly improved, due to a micro-loan. Micro-loans enable hard-working women (and men!) to start businesses that sustain their families and greatly enhance their quality of life.

How might the Lord use YOU one day?
How do you HOPE he uses you?

HOTM Lesson Two - Group Study Questions

2010-04-23T15:03:00.000-07:00

Lesson 2: The Curtain that Veils Poverty
Considering our world today. . ..

The San people are descendants of those who lived in what is now South Africa and Botswana. They are the original human inhabitants of the sub-Saharan Africa.

The San were hunter-gathers, and some of them still survive in small numbers in the Kalahari Desert. They are small in stature, their skin is brown, and they use unique ‘click’ languages.

In response to hearing the gospel story, a San woman sitting around a campfire in the Kalahari Desert said she felt it is possible that God would let His Son die for a white man and maybe for a black man, but she could never believe God would allow His Son to die for a San woman. In her marred image, she saw herself as having no value and had no idea why she had been created. She was twisted by the ‘poverty of being.’ This state of mind and heart can become permanent.

Questions. . .Comments?
1. What might have influenced this woman to see herself this way?
2. What do you think it means by the ‘poverty of being?’ Can that happen in America?
3. What do you think is needed to help someone recover from this kind of poverty?
4. Is there a story in the gospel that you would like to share with this San woman to help her understand God’s love for her?

Rani Hong: Sold Into Slavery at the Age of Seven

2010-04-22T23:05:00.000-07:00

Chapter members are looking forward to a meeting with Rani Hong this weekend, to discuss the participation of Rani and Trong Hong, in our upcoming:
Find Your Voice....Break the Chain
Conference on Human Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery.

Rani was kidnapped and sold into slavery, in India, at the age of 7.

Meanwhile, at the age of 9, Trong was recruited to become a child soldier in Vietnam.

Unthinkable??? Absolutely.

Yet it did happen, and, still happens today.

We must DO SOMETHING.

Join us in Gig Harbor on June 5th, to hear Rani & Trong's stories, and, learn about these issues, and, arm ourselves with ways to take action.

Read the full bio for Rani and Trong Hong, and register for the conference at: www.wovsps.org.

April Devotions: Inspired by Leeland - "Follow You"

2010-04-18T21:59:00.000-07:00

This is our prayer, for each of us, for each of you. How fitting that this video happens to focus on the beautiful people of Cambodia, the very country we seek to impact with our support for micro-lending projects, which enables women and men to support their families and avoid the dangers of human trafficking and child slavery.

We closed our April leadership meeting with this beautiful song.

HOTM Lesson One - Group Study Questions

2010-04-18T09:11:00.000-07:00

Welcome to those of you who are participating the Heart of the Matter study group this spring!

Here are some questions for reflection, from Lesson Number One: Imitating Christ

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. John 13:34 (NIV)

We all know this verse. It is probably one of the first verses we memorized as a child. Wow…it is so much easier to memorize than live it out! As the study guide mentioned, it is easy to love those around us, but what happens when we are asked to widen the circle of our loving relationships to strangers in our communities and people we’ve never met? Or harder yet. . . those who have different views than us!

Please pray through this scripture this week and see what God is saying to you in regards to loving your neighbor. As the study mentions, the command Jesus gave His apostles makes it clear that we are not only to love, but love as Jesus loves us. This is someone who washed feet as well as sacrificed his life.

Let’s share our thoughts on the following questions:
1. Who is my neighbor?
2. What does loving them look like?
3. How do I respond?

"Give Mommy a Break!" Service Opportunity, Saturday May 8th

2010-04-07T09:41:00.000-07:00

Local Service Opportunity with Network Tacoma
Saturday, May 8, 2010, 9am - Noon
SPS Chapter partners and friends are invited to participate in a local service opportunity! We will be serving coffee, tea, muffins and bagels to moms and kids involved in the Network Tacoma program. We will then give the moms a break by providing babysitting for the children until noon.

RSVP's are requested to participate in this activity. Please indicate whether you can participate for the entire morning, or if you prefer to take a 90 minute shift starting at either 9am or 10:30am. If you wish to carpool, please indicate that as well.

Location: Network Tacoma Offices, 5435 South M Street, Tacoma MAP

Registration Now Open! Find Your Voice...Break the Chain -- Human Trafficking Conference

2010-04-04T20:26:00.000-07:00

The Women of Vision South Puget Sound Chapter, with support from Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church, is pleased to announce that Registration is Open for its first ever conference. Please join us, and please spread the word!!

Find Your Voice...Break the Chain

A Conference on Human Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery
www.wovsps.org

(Click on image to enlarge)

Booths/Registration opens at 8:00am, with program starting at 9:00

Cost is $40, including boxed lunch

Program ends at 4:15pm, with information booths staying open until 5:00

March Devotions Center on Importance of Unified Prayer

2010-03-20T10:01:00.000-07:00

We had a great time of sharing and praying together, at our March leadership meeting. The team talked about the importance of praying for each other. Brenda mentioned how meaningful it was to participate in the united prayer for Margaret Becker and asked if each of us would commit to pray at the same time every day for our team and the upcoming event.

We decided to have unified prayer time at 6:00 and 8:00 am every day. The team agreed to participate in this continued unified prayer.

Glitterbug Party to Benefit WoV Projects

2010-03-17T16:53:00.000-07:00

Join us for an evening of fun! Enjoy socializing with friends, appetizers and a glass of wine, while you turn your gold into cash (guaranteed high payout by Glitterbug), and at the same time support a worthy cause! All hostess benefits will be donated to the local, National & International projects supported by World Vision's South Puget Sound Chapter of Women of Vision.

April 8th, 2010, 4:30-7:30pm
At Katrin's - Open House Style
Gig Harbor, WA

RSVP Here to attend, and, to receive directions to Katrin's

Invitation by SPS Chapter Chair: Lenten Fast

2010-03-14T16:18:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
A couple weeks ago, after polishing off a Red Velvet Cake, I got the idea to fast. I must admit this idea of fasting was purely to help my physical state since I wanted to lose weight before heading on vacation. But then God spoke to me loud and clear. . . fast to cleanse your spiritual state and become dependent on Me. My husband recommended the Daniel Fast. We both decided to follow this fast for the three weeks leading up to Easter.

I’m scared. I’ve never fasted before. But the more my anxiety builds, the more I realize I need God to take over my life. Wow. ..no coffee, cheese or wine? Only God can help me survive that! I discovered Jim Wallis, founder of Sojourners, is also fasting over Lent. One of his statements hit home… “There are times when we come to the end of our own resources and must throw ourselves on God -- which is really always our true spiritual state, despite the illusions of our own self-sufficiency. And it is the very turning away from our own devices, opinions, and strength -- and turning to God once again -- that is the best way back to finding ourselves, our voices, and our missions. That is my prayer for us all this Lent.” (From Sojourner’s Blog)

During this fast, I plan to focus specifically on how God wants to use me to aid children and women trapped in poverty and the human trafficking industry. I’m praying for:

• Specific direction on how I can live out the challenge in Gary Haugen’s book, Just Courage. How do I leave my safe world and be brave for God?
• Our Human Trafficking conference in June.
• Children and women in our Prasath Ballang ADP.

Would you join me in this adventure from March 15 – April 4? Pray about it this week and see if God is challenging you to join me in my fast. If you are interested in the Daniel Fast, check out the following site: http://www.daniel-fast.com/about.html

This is between you and God. But for those of you who fast, let’s use our blog to share how God is working in our lives. I’m expecting miracles!

Blessings - Brenda

Chapter Members Attend Network Tacoma Training

2010-03-01T20:58:00.000-08:00

In February, several members of the South Puget Sound chapter of Women of Vision participated in a training at the Network Tacoma offices.

Network Tacoma is the local organization chosen by this chapter, for service and support opportunities. The staff at Network Tacoma facilitated a training for our members, to learn about how we can best interact with and serve families who are receiving assistance, housing and training through Network Tacoma.

We look forward to offering our hands-on service to families transitioning from homelessness, into self-sufficiency. If you are moved to partner with us and participate in local service programs such as Network Tacoma, please let us know by emailing Holly at: wovsouthpugetsound@gmail.com.

February Devotional: Inspiration & Success

2010-02-27T19:18:00.000-08:00

At our February leadership meeting, as we prepared for upcoming events, and planned how we can impact children worlds away, while also serving our churches and our workplaces and our families, we were inspired by these words from Margaret Becker's book, "Coming Up For Air":

“I am certain of what success is now. I am certain that it looks nothing like metal and fabric, chiseled jaws and thighs that don’t touch at the top. It is God and all things that welcome Him to be who He is in and through each of us. The most wonderful aspect of it all is that it is there for the taking, there for those who will seek it: ‘Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

How marvelous that it is God and God alone who defines our success.

Is Your Head Above Water?

2010-02-20T17:35:00.000-08:00

Why not Come up for air?

Join us this coming Thursday evening, February 25th, at World Vision, as Margaret Becker shares with us the journey she embarked upon some years ago, to discover and live out her life's mission statement.

Will you Discover Your Vision?
Event & Ticket Details Here.

Excerpt from Maggie B's book:
I've made it to Ghana, Africa, with World Vision. Hot. Hot. Hot.
Morning started early here. I was shocked awake by the sound of a chicken--somebody's prized possession--singing out. It doesn't know it's on borrowed time, but I know better.

The voices in the distance remind me that I know nothing of how the other side of the world lives, and although I wrapped my sweater around my ears, the thump and cock-a-doodle-do still bled through, when curiosity got the better of me. I pulled my cot to the wall, which had a window about six feet off the ground. I stood up on the thin mattress with precarious balance and peered out the opening.

It was a soccer game: grown men playing soccer on a patch of gray dirt. How unlike the U.S., where it's a chore to get up first thing in the morning. Here it was 5:30 a.m., and these guys were playing a game of soccer in ninety degree heat. It's not like they needed to lose weight or even that they would have pent-up energy. They barely got one meal a day. They work in the fields for a living. Why were they playing?

What if we all played just to play, for the love of play? Laugh more, sleep better, have better relationships. In all my life planning, I'd forgotten about "the love of the game."

It was the next day when I--newly freed--was approached by some village girls. In one of their hands was a small stone. With it they traced a grid on the ground that resembled a hopscotch board.

We played until the seam between us disappeared and I became just another playmate to be included, to be beaten, to pass the time with. And in the language of play, we ultimately parted, without fanfare or remorse. The days are endless when spent like that. The games will begin again tomorrow. It is part of life. And I will be there to play.

January Devotional: Ultimate Retreat, in God's Word

2010-02-19T20:28:00.000-08:00

During our mountain-top retreat in late January, leaders and partners in this Women of Vision chapter studied and prayed together. We delighted in pondering the thoughts expressed in Praying God's Word, by Beth Moore.

We asked ourselves these essential questions:
What is a stronghold?

Where is the battlefield?

What are our weapons?

We wrote down our strongholds and released them to God.

The purpose of our devotional time was to learn how to pray God's Word to become more intimate with God, to demolish strongholds, and anything that sets itself up against the knowledge of God to better equip us to stand firm as we fulfill our vision as Women of Vision to work with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice.

YouTube: Margaret Becker sings "All I Ever Wanted"

2010-02-10T13:41:00.000-08:00

In addition to being our speaker at Discover Your Vision, on the evening of February 25th, Margaret Becker will delight us with a little music! Will you be there? We hope to have at least 200 Puget Sound area women attend - and we need your help to spread the word!!

Event Details and Ticket Information Here.

In 2007, Margaret traveled with World Vision to Malawi. This beautiful video was produced out of that trip, with Margaret singing the background track. Get your tissue out, and Enjoy!!

Margaret Becker to Speak at SPS Event, February 25th!

2010-01-31T18:26:00.000-08:00

UPDATE!!
VIEW PHOTOS FROM THIS WONDERFUL EVENT HERE.

It is with delight that we announce that Grammy-nominated, Dove award-winning singer/songwriter, and award-winning author
Margaret Becker
will speak at our next event:

Discover Your Vision

Thursday Evening, February 25, 2010
World Vision Headquarters, Federal Way, WA
Tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/98226

Want to circulate event flyer to your church and friends?
Email mailto:wovsouthspugetsound@gmail.com for a pdf of this flyer!

Will you join hundreds of Women of Vision in DC?

2010-01-26T20:03:00.000-08:00

UPDATE: PHOTOS FROM THIS EVENT AVAILABLE HERE.

Brenda, Karen, Lynn, Patty....anyone else from South Puget Sound?
So far, these are the names of the women in our area who have signed up to go to the Women of Vision National Conference, in Washington DC, from March 7-10, 2010.

Will you join them? Will you join hundreds of other women from all over the U.S., in a MOVEMENT to change our world for the better?

Details and Registration Here.

If you do sign up - be sure to let us know at wovsouthpugetsound@gmail.com - so we can add you to this list of names!!

Dear Partners: Leaders Wanted!

2010-01-18T16:19:00.000-08:00

FEB. 2010: SEE UPDATES BELOW! THANK YOU LADIES!!
Last August, after receiving the charter for the SPS chapter of Women of Vision, key leadership roles were assigned. Some roles were combined while others remain unfilled.

As we start the new year and look at our exciting plans, we believe we need more leaders. We see such incredible talent among our new Partners and are excited to see how your gifts and abilities can make our team whole. With this in mind, we are asking our Partners to consider the following list of open roles, and pray about how God can use you to enhance this ministry.

Partnership Chair FILLED FOR 2010!
Events Chair - STILL NEEDED!
International and Service Chair FILLED FOR 2010!

For additional detail about what each role involves, and the time commitment required, please email wovsouthpugetsound@gmail.com.

SPS Leadership and Partners Look Forward to First Retreat

2010-01-12T09:06:00.000-08:00

UPDATE!! View photos from this wonderful event HERE!

SPS Chapter Co-Chairs, Brenda Shaw and Annie Brandt, are pleased to announce that a Leadership Team / Partners retreat will take place in late January 2010!
This will be an energizing time of fellowship, a time where we can play, and pray, and dream, and plan events for 2010.

SPS Chairs and Partners are invited to join in on an agenda made up of fun activities and planning sessions on Friday evening, January 22nd, and Saturday, January 23rd. Not a "Partner" yet? Join here!

Devotions for this gathering will be drawn from author Beth Moore's book, Praying God's Word: Breaking Free From Spiritual Strongholds. Attendees are encouraged to obtain a copy of this book and read it in advance of the retreat.

SPS Partner Cindy Tobias has graciously offered her mountain home in Cle Elum, Washington, for the retreat location. RSVP is required to attend this event. For more information, please email wovsouthpugetsound@gmail.com

December Devotional: Messiah, God With Us

2009-12-15T21:56:00.000-08:00

"Last Tuesday, I had a "God with us" stop. I stopped at my mailbox to get my mail, leaving my car running. When I returned to my car, it had malfunctioned and locked all the doors. There I was, at 7:30 at night, in 24 degree weather, locked out from my purse, cell phone, and all that connected me to my world. I felt alone and cold and tired and frustrated. Then "God with us, Emmanuel" came into my thinking and I began to pray and ask God what to do."

Read the rest of this inspiring story and devotional, as shared by our chapter's Spiritual Life Chair, Karen Marion, HERE.

SPS Chapter Makes Christmas Stockings for Local Children

2009-12-07T18:31:00.000-08:00

Christmas is such a wonderful time of giving! In that spirit, this year our group prepared and donated stockings for the children of New Phoebe House, in Tacoma.

The recipients are mothers and children challenged by homelessness and drug use. Recovery is beautiful! We are thankful for this opportunity to serve.

November Devotional: Thankful for our Veterans

2009-11-24T09:48:00.000-08:00

Every American soldier has a story.

Robert, a Korean war hero clad in a medal covered navy suit jacket, shared his story with a high school classroom - a story of unquestioned obedience, sacrifice and integrity in the line of duty. At his superior officer's command, Robert remembered picking up a machine gun and charging blindly, or climbing a muddy mountain, slipping and falling continually; or instantly crawling under fire delivering a message to the front. The students were captivated by the testimony of the older gentleman. The world map was unrolled and Robert pointed to Korea half way around the world, and declared that he was honored and proud to leave his home and serve his country in war.

As Christians, we too are solders. We are in a war against darkness. We need to remember Jesus who paid the price for our freedom. We need to follow His example and His Word with unquestioned obedience, sacrifice and integrity as we minister in our generation.

The darker the darkness the fiercer the fight. As Women of Vision we are not just a group of women raising funds for charity; we are mighty warriors against darkness and we can count on fierce opposition from the darkness. As we begin to mobilize for this year of outreach locally, nationally and globally, may we remember these promises from Psalm 121 - used in the lyrics of Casting Crowns' song "Praise You in this Storm.

"I lift my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from?
He will not let your foot slip - he who watches over you will not slumber, indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you - the Lord is your shad at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."

May we remember not only the brave men and women in harm's way who serve in the Armed Forces, but the One who died so that all might be free. May we be inspired by the faithful men and women in the Armed Forces past, present and future, to serve Him as they serve: with integrity, sacrifice and obedience, as we stand against the darkness on behalf of marginalized women and children around us, through Women of Vision.

Watch Video Here
Read Additional Thoughts on this Devotional Here.

Borders Gift-wrapping to benefit women & children on Sunday, November 29 - in Puyallup

2009-11-18T19:52:00.000-08:00

Bookworm Alert!

Contribute to the support of women & children in need in Tacoma, Appalachia and Cambodia when you visit Borders in Puyallup, and have your purchases wrapped by our chapter members!

Borders graciously supplies the paper, and we supply the gift-wrapping elves. In exchange for gift wrapping, customers can donate in the amount of their choice, with their donations benefiting Women of Vision / World Vision projects.

Hours: 10am until 9pm
Date: Sunday, November 29th

Borders Bookstore - across from South Hill Mall
3829 S. Meridian, Puyallup MAP

Movie Screening: At the End of Slavery - Nov. 14th

2009-10-27T11:51:00.000-07:00

Join the fight against modern-day slavery at a screening of International Justice Mission's new documentary, At the End of Slavery, narrated by actor Danny Glover. The Battle for Justice in our Time takes you inside the violent and ugly business of modern-day slavery and is a clarion call to every viewer to join the movement to end slavery in our lifetime.

Screening will be held Saturday November 14, 2009 at 6:00 pm, in Gig Harbor. All Women of Vision partners and friends are invited to attend. Call Julie at 253.905.9991 to RSVP and for location, or email wovsouthpugetsound@gmail.com

Devotions Inspire Leadership Team

2009-10-25T21:10:00.000-07:00

Each month as the SPS Chapter Leadership Team gathers, our very first "order of business" is to seek the One who guides us. Here is a brief synopsis of devotions for the summer/fall months of 2009:

October, 2009

We are privileged to become God's answers to prayers of poor women and children, through World Vision and Women of Vision.

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:29

September, 2009

With God, all things are possible! Matthew 19:26, Mark 10:27

As women of influence, what will our legacy be? We are all bursting with zeal and enthusiasm ready to do whatever it takes to raise up a group of women who can make a difference for poor and marginalized women and children and their families. Our greatest source is Jesus who makes all things possible.

August, 2009

How can we attain unity with others?

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other, and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues, put on love which binds them all together in perfect unity." Colossians 3:12-14

Fall sessions of The Heart of the Matter study are about to start!

2009-10-25T20:34:00.001-07:00

What are the root causes of poverty? How are we called to respond? Where is hope for the suffering? How can love turn compassion into advocacy? Scripture, video, printed material, simulations, discussion and reflection questions contribute to a multifaceted and creative learning experience.

We would love to have you join us in The Heart of the Matter study!

This fall we have two four-week study groups available. Start time is 7pm Suggested donation for materials: $10.

Federal Way area, Mondays beginning October 26th - email karenmarion62@yahoo.com

Lakeland Hills area, Wednesdays beginning November 4th - email hollypennington@yahoo.com

Preview the study here.

Photos from "Capture the Vision" event: Were you there?

2009-10-20T21:26:00.000-07:00

What fun we had!
Check out this photo link to view dozens of pictures from the SPS chapter's first event.

Informational Gathering: October 19, 2009

2009-10-16T16:58:00.000-07:00

Announcing Next Event Opportunity: Informational Meeting
October 19, 2009 - 7-8:30pm
Home of Brenda Shaw, Chapter Co-Chair
Browns Point area (Please RSVP for address)

We would like to share with you:

What it means to be a Women of Vision Partner
How to become involved in our local, national and international projects
The rewards of participating in The Heart of the Matter study
Upcoming educational events, such as Half the Sky book groups, and movie nights
Women of Vision National Conference in Washington D.C., March 2010

Please RSVP to: wovsouthpugetsound@gmail.com *
*If you cannot attend on this date, but want to come at another time, let us know! Please do RSVP however, because if turnout is low, we will set a new date. We don't want anyone to miss out!

Capture the Vision Event, September 30th

2009-08-21T16:57:00.000-07:00

You are cordially invited to join

the South Puget Sound chapter of Women of Vision

for its very first event!

Capture the Vision
September 30, 2009 - 6pm

Featuring Angela Mason

on the topic,
"Hope in Impossible Places"

Schedule:
(6-7pm is "Open House" hour, followed by program)

Greet Angela Mason

Experience the World Vision Interactive Visitors Center

Enjoy Delicious Appetizers

Meet other women with a passion for service

Laugh and cry as Angela shares her experiences

Learn how you can partner with Women of Vision

and participate in local and international service opportunities

Location:

World Vision Corporate Office

34834 Weyerhaueser Way S., Federal Way

To sign up:

Tickets are $5, at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/78193

For more information, email: wovsouthpugetsound@gmail.com

South Puget Sound Women of Vision Chapter is Formed!

2009-07-06T22:00:00.000-07:00

In May 2009, after several months of study in cross-cultural education and sensitivity training, the South Puget Sound chapter of Women of Vision received approval from World Vision to form a new chapter.

We are grateful to Patty Dalrymple and Lisa Vlieger, of the North Puget Sound chapter, for their mentoring and leadership as we navigated through the study and organized our leadership team. Thanks as well to Cindy Breilh, National Director for Women of Vision, for
direction, support, and encouragement.

We are anxious now to grow our chapter, by adding new partners, and to begin service projects and fundraising efforts to support women and children in need, both in Tacoma and surrounding areas, as well as internationally! To contact us about how you can join us in these efforts, please email: wovsouthpugetsound@gmail.com