Restorations by Eileen Alpaugh

Restoration is a concept we are all familiar with. We restore old furniture, antique cars, and houses. It is a process by which something broken, misused, neglected or worn out is carefully and skillfully worked on to bring back the original beauty and usefulness. Flaws are hidden, broken pieces are fixed, and whatever cosmetic processes are available are employed to make it appear to be as good as new. Appear to be.

Too often we take familiar words and apply their common meaning to spiritual matters. When we consider restoration as it applies to a life devastated by the effects of sin, we think of that life retuning to its former status, as if nothing bad happened. A do over if you will.

Scripture renews and transforms our common thinking to Kingdom mentality. When God is involved in restoration it is unlike any process we can imagine. Rather than a restoration of appearance it is one of divine purpose. Only God can restore a life to a state that is of higher value and usefulness than its former condition. Those of us who have experienced the transforming power of the Living God can testify to this truth.

In the book of Ruth we learn of lives are devastated by famine, disease and death. Our earthly thinking would have spared Naomi and Ruth that suffering to allow them to live out their lives with their husbands and sons…. happily ever after. Naomi’s initial reaction to her suffering brought her to a place of sorrow and bitterness. How often we respond like Naomi, underestimating the possibility of divine restoration when a powerful loving God intervenes. By the divine intervention of God, restoration was not only brought to these women in their earthly situations, but it also allowed them to be part of the eternal plan of redemption as they were elevated to positions placing them in the genealogy of the Savior of all mankind.

This same God has a divine plan of restoration for each life yielded to His loving touch regardless of the degree of destruction. This process of restoration is ongoing and far reaching. Lives are not given a clean up or fix up but rather the transformation of becoming a New Creation in Christ bearing the image of God Himself.

Can you imagine a life more in need of this kind of restoration than those caught up in sex trafficking? Can you imagine a soul more satisfied than one who has been rescued from horror and repositioned in a role of divine purpose?

Can we, who have experienced this amazing process not do everything in our power to make this Truth known to others?

Our mission is to bring the Truth of Divine Restoration to as many lives as possible. Our privilege is to be part of the plan that has eternal value. Our Hope is that you will join us.

One changed life can affect countless others. Imagine the possibilities.
“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that when He shall appear we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that hath this hope in him, purifleth himself even as He is pure.” (I John III: v. 2, 3).

…until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. Acts 3:21

What Breaks Your Heart by Kim Checkeye

Over the past few months, I have been wondering what God must feel when He looks down at His creation. Does His heart ache? Is He angry at the evil He sees? As I pondered these questions, my eyes started to open to a kind of evil in this world that I was very naïve too. It was as if God began to take off a layer of skin that covered my eyes to something so horrific that if I truly understood it, I would not be able to close my eyes at night.

Did you know that?

• 1.2 million children a year are forced into sex trafficking in addition to the millions that are already held captive

• The average age of American girls who become victims of sex trafficking are between the age of 12-14

• Worldwide girls as young as 5 years of age are forced into sex trafficking

• 161 Countries identified as affected by human trafficking

• 32 billion a year is profited by the human trafficking industry

Our administrative assistant, Shana, shared this with me the other day:

“I always heard about sex trafficking and could figure out what it was about but never understood until I started to research it. I was reading about two teenage girls who are survivors of sex trafficking. One was abducted right in her driveway waiting for a friend. She was gang raped and put in a dog crate for 40 days. The other girl was working at the mall and was approached and promised a modeling career. She was flown to another state where she was held hostage against her will. These girls were beaten and sold for money. If they tried to escape, their abductors threatened to kill them and their family. By God’s grace, they were rescued.”

My heart breaks for these women and children. I try to imagine the pain, the suffering, the emotional devastation that they must encounter every day of their lives. But my mind can’t comprehend it.

One thing I know is that what I have learned has changed my life forever. I can’t pretend this isn’t happening. I can’t turn my back on it and go on with life as usual.

Some amazing things began to happen. We started to receive communication on real estate opportunities. People were looking for a non-profit to use their properties to help others. To use the properties to impact and change the lives of others. Coincidence? I don't think so! I believe God began to make connections with like minded people so that a safe house could be opened for women who are being removed from sex trafficking.

Truth for Women immediately began to make connections with other churches and women who God is pursing to stand up and make a difference in this area. We are currently working on creating a task force of women from all over the Lehigh Valley who are willing to put their time, energy and talents to see this safe house come to fruition.

My question to you is What Breaks Your Heart? What makes you Cry Out in Righteous Anger? If human sex trafficking is it, please consider joining our task force to see this safe house open and running.

For more information, please contact Kim Checkeye at 610.866.5755