It is with great JOY that I can announce that we have finally passed all that the state requires to become a Pa. State Licensed Home. We will now open our doors Oasis on December 10th. We have so much to be thankful for. Our staff is all in place and ready to welcome with open arms these minor survivors of human trafficking. God has been so faithful to us in this journey and although this door of the journey is now closed we can focus on the new journey ahead of us. We are excited and trusting Jesus in every step of the next journey. We pray that God brings to us young girls that we can help restore. We know that it is only through Jesus Christ that these precious young girls can heal and mend. We look forward to the amazing miracles that God will perform in each of these young girls lives. We pray for reconciliation with families and also for the ones that have no families that they connect with Christian families that can help them continue on their healing journey once they leave Oasis.
It is hard to believe that it has been 2 years since I started this journey.. for those who have been following me on this blog, you know it has been quite a journey. I really thought last year at this time we would be up and running, but Gods time frame is not ours. Even when it seemed we just weren't going to make it God's Word kept us faithful until the end. I thank God for all the people that He has put in place to help with this ministry. For all the people that came to help on the building renovations. Too many to mention them all, but we have had over 200 people from 6 different states, only God could have done this! We praise God for His faithfulness and for all God's people who have given sacrificially both physically and financially.
~~TO GOD BE THE GLORY FOR THE GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE~~
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Friday, July 13, 2012
~~What Does Your Day Hold~~
We all wake up each day and make our plans, but sometimes God has other plans for us.. a little over a week ago I was all excited because our 13th grand baby arrived.. Life gets so crazy and it seemed I just couldn't get away to see and hold my little man. So I decided ok this afternoon I am going to go see him. I was on my way just thinking that this is probably my last grand baby and that I needed to spend as much time with him and all my grand children as I can. Life is so short and before I know it they will all be grown up and won't want to hang out with me.. ( although I am a pretty cool Nanny~) I had my christian music on and was just thinking of all the blessings that God has given me. I noticed a camper up a head of me and my first thought was I should try to pass it or I will be behind this camper most of the way since this was the last straight stretch on this 2 lane road, but I felt God telling me.... ah just stay back and enjoy your time alone with me, so I did.. About that time I saw the camper going to the left and I thought to myself he must be having some trouble and pulling off at the school, but then as I watched the whole camper just turned and the truck was on it's side, as my eyes came back to the road I saw this vehicle sliding sideways towards me and I thought Oh my gosh I just witnessed a head on collision. I stopped my car and thought call 911, however my phone didn't have service, so I got out of the car and ran to the vehicle in front of me and found 2 young people unconscious in the vehicle, the smoke that was coming out of the car soon turned into a fire and I couldn't get the door open to get them out. I held the girls head and then saw a car coming and went out waving my hands... I started yelling we need water ..and then praying or what probably sounded like screaming.." please God we need water.. send someone with water." The lady from the other vehicle heard me and said there's water in the camper, so I went to the camper and found the water jugs, by then two other men were there trying desperately to get the door open. We started to pour water on the fire and then on the 2 victims in the vehicle.. Finally someone with a fire extinguisher came.. and then the Emergency crew. So much of it is still a blur, but the one thing I will never forget is the smell of the fire, or the helpless feeling I felt when I saw the young man and woman. I remember thinking I might watch 2 people burn alive and there is nothing I can do... They looked like they were on there way to go swimming or had been... The other vehicle was probably on there way to enjoy a 4th of July camping trip, and I was on my way to hold my grandson.... none of us reaching our destination...and none of us ever dreaming our day would end like this. With complete strangers coming together working so desperately to free a young man and a young woman that we didn't even know..
I feel that is what we are doing here at Oasis of Hope.. but the question I asked myself is this ,"Am I this desperate in rescuing these little girls from the traffickers that hold them captive?" They may not be trapped in a burning fire, but they are trapped in a life style that is really burning them alive..with NO hope for their future. After the emergency crews got there those of us that were there first just kind of stood back and watched...God showed me that this is what the body of Christ should be like, we should be like the rescue team that was there... we should be so desperate that we will do anything to save these victims of sex slavery. Little 12, 13, 14 year old girls that have been trapped into a life of bondage. We need to get out our "jaws of Life" and break open the doors and take back what the enemy has stolen. Oasis will serve as a place of healing, a place where we can bandage their wounds and let God do His miracle in them just like He has for Casey and Victoria the two victims in the burning vehicle. It has been amazing to get the reports of how Casey is healing so fast.. Only the God of the universe could have saved them and healed their broken bodies. He can do the same for these young girls that are being trafficked here in America. We the "church" need to rise up and be the loving caring church that God wants us to be, to get out of the 4 walls called the church and become the "Church" in this hurting world and share His love to hurting people.
You may ask how can I help and the answer is this.. we are in need of prayer partners, volunteers, teachers, counselors and finances. We are not government funded but run only on donations. We want to be able to give the very best care to these girls, so that they can become whole young woman that can go out into this world and enjoy a life that God has created them to enjoy. . Can you help if so please go ahead and donate, you can do so right here on this blog page. We are a 501c3 non profit so your gifts are tax deductible. Thanks so much and by the way... I finally did get to hold my grand baby and boy did I hold him tight~~~~Love you Colby Eli Colton~~
I feel that is what we are doing here at Oasis of Hope.. but the question I asked myself is this ,"Am I this desperate in rescuing these little girls from the traffickers that hold them captive?" They may not be trapped in a burning fire, but they are trapped in a life style that is really burning them alive..with NO hope for their future. After the emergency crews got there those of us that were there first just kind of stood back and watched...God showed me that this is what the body of Christ should be like, we should be like the rescue team that was there... we should be so desperate that we will do anything to save these victims of sex slavery. Little 12, 13, 14 year old girls that have been trapped into a life of bondage. We need to get out our "jaws of Life" and break open the doors and take back what the enemy has stolen. Oasis will serve as a place of healing, a place where we can bandage their wounds and let God do His miracle in them just like He has for Casey and Victoria the two victims in the burning vehicle. It has been amazing to get the reports of how Casey is healing so fast.. Only the God of the universe could have saved them and healed their broken bodies. He can do the same for these young girls that are being trafficked here in America. We the "church" need to rise up and be the loving caring church that God wants us to be, to get out of the 4 walls called the church and become the "Church" in this hurting world and share His love to hurting people.
You may ask how can I help and the answer is this.. we are in need of prayer partners, volunteers, teachers, counselors and finances. We are not government funded but run only on donations. We want to be able to give the very best care to these girls, so that they can become whole young woman that can go out into this world and enjoy a life that God has created them to enjoy. . Can you help if so please go ahead and donate, you can do so right here on this blog page. We are a 501c3 non profit so your gifts are tax deductible. Thanks so much and by the way... I finally did get to hold my grand baby and boy did I hold him tight~~~~Love you Colby Eli Colton~~
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
So Beautiful
3rd Annual River Ride Fund Raiser in York Pa. Sept. 22, 2012
Come and ride for FREEDOM..
Freedom of Human Slavery.
Help us raise money for our safe house plus raise awareness of this horrific crime against our children.
You won't want to miss this years event. Come and enjoy the beautiful ride on the river with breath taking scenery. This year we are adding kayaking and canoeing for those that don't want to ride but still would like to support Oasis of Hope.
After the ride we will be having great food and music. We are having a concert by "Shelleen" and her band. If you want to check out her music go to shelleensings.com. This year will be the biggest and best ride yet. Hope to see you, so get Sept. 22nd. saved on your calendar.
Registration begins at 9AM-10AM at Laugerman's Harley Dealership in York Pa. This years will be bigger and better.. Come help us raise money for our girls home in North Central Pa.
Keep checking back for more details.
We'll keep you posted!
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
It's a New Day, It's a New Life, It's a New Me~~~
Every day when I wake up I say, "Ok God is today the day?" Every day I yearn for the day that we can take in girls that have been trafficked, and so far every day I have to wait and say,"Ok Father I guess we need to wait another day." Waiting is the hardest part of obeying God. I always want to rush right in and get things done. I know that when I rush before God I always fail. I know that God's timing is always right, and so I wait. I know He is doing a new thing in creating this home. I also know that when the time is right He will place the girls here that He has chosen. Every day I walk the halls and in the bedrooms and pray over the beds and cry because I know that somewhere out there is a little girl yearning to be rescued. Waiting for that New Day, that New Life that only God can give... and that new me that He will create in them. I can't wait for that first girl to walk through those doors.. I can't wait to see what God will do in them, what their destiny will be.. I know that it will be life and not death as satan intended. Together we can change the world with the love of God.
One thing that God is really teaching me is that I must pray for my enemies. When that thought goes through my head I think yes I know I am suppose to pray for my enemies.. Then God said then pray for the girls pimps. Now I don't know about you but there are a lot of things I would like to do to the pimps however praying isn't one of them. However as God has softened my heart, He has shown me that if the pimps would all get saved we wouldn't have any more slavery and so here I am once again on my face before God, not only praying for the girls protection and salvation but, also for their trafficker. Oh God this is truly a life changing experience for me.... and I can now say It's a New Day, It's a New Life, and it is a New ME~~~ Thanking Jesus today for loving me ..... For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him would not perish but have everlasting life....For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17
One thing that God is really teaching me is that I must pray for my enemies. When that thought goes through my head I think yes I know I am suppose to pray for my enemies.. Then God said then pray for the girls pimps. Now I don't know about you but there are a lot of things I would like to do to the pimps however praying isn't one of them. However as God has softened my heart, He has shown me that if the pimps would all get saved we wouldn't have any more slavery and so here I am once again on my face before God, not only praying for the girls protection and salvation but, also for their trafficker. Oh God this is truly a life changing experience for me.... and I can now say It's a New Day, It's a New Life, and it is a New ME~~~ Thanking Jesus today for loving me ..... For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him would not perish but have everlasting life....For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17
Sunday, February 26, 2012
New Information About Man Accused Of Sex Trafficking
New Information About Man Accused Of Sex Trafficking
So you don't think it's happening in America... Please help us to stop this horrific crime against our young girls.. This man was arrested several times.. but never for long.. we need stiffer laws for these criminals.. This is the year to get noticed...lets write to our lawmakers who are up for re-election and make this a top priority.. Sex trafficking needs to stop... help free the slaves..
So you don't think it's happening in America... Please help us to stop this horrific crime against our young girls.. This man was arrested several times.. but never for long.. we need stiffer laws for these criminals.. This is the year to get noticed...lets write to our lawmakers who are up for re-election and make this a top priority.. Sex trafficking needs to stop... help free the slaves..
Thursday, February 16, 2012
We're Almost there~~
Oasis of Hope Ministries
Because of your Faithfulness we are almost ready to open
Oasis of Hope’s Safe Home
For minor girls caught up in Human Trafficking in America.
This home could not have happened without your sacrifice in time and finances. We have been blessed by your giving and just want to take this time to say
THANK YOU!!!
We are now in the process of waiting upon the state to give us our license. We will keep you posted on our opening date but, we just wanted to let you know how much we appreciate all your time, money and prayers. Please continue to pray as we continue to need funding to operate this Faith based home. We rely totally on God’s people to keep the doors open. We are trusting fully in God to touch the hearts of His people. Again thank you for all you do.
Blessings, Debbie
and Oasis of Hope Board Members
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| New Kitchen |
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| One of the bathrooms |
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| Bedroom |
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| House Parents bedroom |
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| Bedroom |
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| bedroom |
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
~Picking up the Pieces~
As time nears for the opening of the home, I must say I am a bit anxious. I have been praying for God to prepare the hearts and minds of those girls that He will be bringing to us, but I know that I too must be prepared not only spiritually but mentally. I try to put myself in her shoes..trying to imagine how she feels, but no matter how much I try I will never know the pain that she has been through.
The story that I am going to share is a true story, and although I don't share it often because of the content of it, God has brought it back to my mind many times as a reminder. A few years ago we had a rental property that we rented to a young woman and her children. She was going through a very difficult divorce and one night her X husband broke in and held them hostage at gun point. This lasted several hours and it ended with him committing suicide. I had the horrible job of going in and cleaning up afterwards and what I saw will be forever etched in my mind and I will always remember the lesson that God taught me. It wasn't so much the blood that really got to me but, the destruction within the home. Walls had holes in them and things were broken where there was a struggle, I even found strands of her hair that he had pulled out. As my eyes looked around at all destruction I could only imagine the horror that took place in this home. As I walked around the living room I saw all these little figurines of people that was some sort of a collection that she had.. And everyone of them was broken, some were shattered more than others. As I got down on my knees I started to pick the pieces up, knowing that they were probably very special to her.( Just like we are to Jesus) I started trying to put the pieces back together, some were broken more than others and all of a sudden I lost it, the reality of what had happened in this home just hours before. This family was so broken now.. things that happened will never be forgotten, I started crying as I desperately tried to put the pieces together.. crying out to God asking Him how this could have ended so tragically. I couldn't find the pieces to all of the figurines I was so upset and God spoke to me so gently. He said you can only pick up the pieces but , I will mend them together.. all you are required to do is pick up the pieces... I will never forget that lesson, and when I am ministering to someone and I want to "FIX" them I remember what He said to me.. all I am required to do is to pick up the pieces.. or show them His Love.. He will do the rest. I will never experience being a sex slave, being beaten and used 20 to 30 times a day. I will never know what its like to feel like trash, being something that someone just uses and then throws away. I will never know the feeling of being alone I mean really alone in a dark room locked up like some animal. But what I do know is this.... I know how to be the hands and feet of Christ.. I know how to show her Christ's love. I know how to dry her tears. I know how to show her a daddy who loves her, and I know that this is the will of the Father... to reach out and touch those that are lost and broken and to pick up the pieces...and then to leave the rest to Jesus~~
I would love to come and share at your church, civic group, college, or schools. I want everyone to be aware of human trafficking in America.. Maybe you could also help pick up the pieces.... we can also use your tax exempt donations to help us continue this ministry and be the hands and feet of Jesus..We are totally faith based and run only on donations. Thank you and God bless...~debbie~
The story that I am going to share is a true story, and although I don't share it often because of the content of it, God has brought it back to my mind many times as a reminder. A few years ago we had a rental property that we rented to a young woman and her children. She was going through a very difficult divorce and one night her X husband broke in and held them hostage at gun point. This lasted several hours and it ended with him committing suicide. I had the horrible job of going in and cleaning up afterwards and what I saw will be forever etched in my mind and I will always remember the lesson that God taught me. It wasn't so much the blood that really got to me but, the destruction within the home. Walls had holes in them and things were broken where there was a struggle, I even found strands of her hair that he had pulled out. As my eyes looked around at all destruction I could only imagine the horror that took place in this home. As I walked around the living room I saw all these little figurines of people that was some sort of a collection that she had.. And everyone of them was broken, some were shattered more than others. As I got down on my knees I started to pick the pieces up, knowing that they were probably very special to her.( Just like we are to Jesus) I started trying to put the pieces back together, some were broken more than others and all of a sudden I lost it, the reality of what had happened in this home just hours before. This family was so broken now.. things that happened will never be forgotten, I started crying as I desperately tried to put the pieces together.. crying out to God asking Him how this could have ended so tragically. I couldn't find the pieces to all of the figurines I was so upset and God spoke to me so gently. He said you can only pick up the pieces but , I will mend them together.. all you are required to do is pick up the pieces... I will never forget that lesson, and when I am ministering to someone and I want to "FIX" them I remember what He said to me.. all I am required to do is to pick up the pieces.. or show them His Love.. He will do the rest. I will never experience being a sex slave, being beaten and used 20 to 30 times a day. I will never know what its like to feel like trash, being something that someone just uses and then throws away. I will never know the feeling of being alone I mean really alone in a dark room locked up like some animal. But what I do know is this.... I know how to be the hands and feet of Christ.. I know how to show her Christ's love. I know how to dry her tears. I know how to show her a daddy who loves her, and I know that this is the will of the Father... to reach out and touch those that are lost and broken and to pick up the pieces...and then to leave the rest to Jesus~~
I would love to come and share at your church, civic group, college, or schools. I want everyone to be aware of human trafficking in America.. Maybe you could also help pick up the pieces.... we can also use your tax exempt donations to help us continue this ministry and be the hands and feet of Jesus..We are totally faith based and run only on donations. Thank you and God bless...~debbie~
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