Run Toward Justice 5k for Created

During Justice Week, FIGHT put on a 5k to benefit Created. All of the proceeds from the Run Toward Justice 5k went to benefit our ladies with Created! Thanks FIGHT!

Oasis from a volunteer's point of view

*Please do not share this post, especially on social media-Thank you!

One of our women worshiping on her knees

Singing and praising God

Singing and praising God

Our Oasis last night with the women was extremely powerful!

I want to share with you a blog post from one of our volunteers who was attending Oasis for the first time. I could not have described last night any better.

My First Oasis

 MARIA CIRILLO

The dictionary defines an oasis as “a fertile spot in a desert where water is found.” Oasis is Created’s dinner and time of worship and Bible study with vulnerable women we have formed relationships. I can’t think of a more fitting name: the living water of Jesus is present at Oasis, creating fertile ground for us to take refuge in.

It was my first time attending and I was slightly nervous and didn’t know what to expect. I’ve been on outreaches before but this would be different: much more one-on-one, a longer time period, intimate conversation. How would I react? What would I talk to them about? What would it be like?

Once again, the Lord opened my eyes and blew away all my expectations. The first thing I noticed was that it wasn’t awkward at all. It wasn’t like the ladies were thinking “oh here’s this new girl who’s part of the team ministering to us.” They simply welcomed me with open arms as a new friend. And I realized that I had been harboring a lot of fear and if I’m totally honest, preconceived judgments. I had an idea in my head of what these women would be like and I was completely wrong. They’re not just “women who were in bad situations,” they’re my sisters in Christ. They were no different than any other person I’ve ever met. It was like getting to know anyone else except they were totally open and honest with each other and the Lord. It was refreshing. Once I gave everything to the Lord and saw who they really are, the presence in the room changed.

Each one of my sisters filled me with such joy and showed me a new aspect of Jesus. The Created team showed me leadership and humility. The ladies that we serve showed me something I don’t think I’ve ever seen before: a total devotion to and awe of Jesus. Watching them worship God and hearing their thoughts and desire to know the Father more deeply was inspiring. I was amazed at their reverence and love of the Lord despite where they’ve come from. I could see the grace of God and the Holy Spirit in each of them uniquely.

I’m so thankful for God bringing this ministry into my life because I know that I’m learning more from them than I think they’ll ever learn from me.

“Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits-who forgives all your sins and heals all your disesases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”- Psalm 103:2-5

Women's event at CCC for Created

Such a wonderful evening of fellowship and putting together gifts and hand-making cards for the women we (Created) minister to on club outreach.Thank you so much ladies!

Big changes happening!

Over the course of the last couple of months’ doors have started closing for me on Bulgaria. Being completely confused, I prayed and meditated on what was happening, asking God to open the doors back up to me again. I continued support raising, but I felt in my heart that something was off, changing, and l prayed HARD, asking God for clarity. As you know, I have been working with Created, a local anti-trafficking organization, for the last year. In October (when I stopped working at ReQuest) I increased my involvement with Created to which God has been breaking my heart for the women of Gainesville: on the streets, in the strip clubs, and in the prison. I've been building relationships with these women and mentoring them. It has become crystal clear to me in the last couple of weeks that God has been preparing me all along for this ministry here in my backyard. I have been asked to come on staff with Created full time as their co-director and I would be running their residential program, heading the counseling for the women while they are in the house, and starting an educational prison ministry to teach the women what abuse/trafficking looks like and how to avoid it and/or get out of it. After a lot of prayer, I have decided to take this position and stay here in Gainesville. This was a very difficult and bittersweet decision because I really love the MTW organization and have learned so much from them; on the other hand, this has also been an easy decision because I truly feel as though God has called me to work with Created. I want you to know that I have not taken this decision lightly, nor have I figured this out alone. I have reached out to close friends, my pastor, a counselor, and my mentor, all for advice on this situation; however, I truly heard the answer clearly from God. That being said, Created, is a Christian organization and I still need financial support. By the end of the week, your support with MTW will be stopped, you do not need to do anything on your part with MTW. However, I would love for you to remain on my team, fighting against human trafficking. I hope that you are still willing to support my ministry with Created, and I will send you the link to begin your giving with them. I want you to know that my biggest fear through this is that I will be letting down and/or disappointing you all as my supporters. Please know that my heart is passionate about helping these women who are hurting and being abused, and I pray that you will join me on this new adventure. I am EXTREMELY excited about it and I know God has big things in store for Created! If you want to learn more about my involvement with Created, I am more than happy to meet with you. Also, this Thursday, February 4th at 7pm, Christ Community Church in Gainesville will be hosting a women’s event to support Created by making gift bags and writing letters of encouragement to the women we serve. I will be speaking at this event about Created and I would love to have you there if you are able!