August 15th was a perfect day for a walk through God’s garden at the home of Mrs. May Dubuc. It was exciting as approximately three-hundred people strolled through the sunken garden, a replica of Buchart Gardens in British Columbia, following the pathway and reading the scripture passages strategically placed along the walk. Mrs. Dubuc calls this God’s garden because he gets all the glory for the beauty he created.
Linda and her team had prayed diligently for months in anticipation of this great day. It took over thirty friends to complete the preparations for this gala event. As the cars approached the home, three men were there to help with parking and shuttling the visitors to their destinations. Greeters kindly pointed the way to begin the walk. Others waited along the pathway to answer questions and draw attention to the scripture boards. The terminus of the walk was on the back, lower level patio. As the guests entered the home they were greeted again by volunteers who cheerfully offered light refreshments.
Widow’s Might Ministry, International presented a display of the plight and hope of the widow’s through a photo-poster display. Fourteen six foot posters were placed in a well lighted alcove creating an art gallery effect. As the visitors strolled through the gallery they were confronted with the realities of widowhood in Africa and Siberia. Many commented that their eyes were opened as a result of this event.
Katie Beth and her co-worker, Kristen Garrett, produced a DVD that Linda showed to the participants. About every fifteen minutes a new group would be seated at the far end of the room and see a nine minute presentation followed by Linda fielding questions and answers about Widow’s Might Ministry, International. She was also able to share some of her wonderful, God stories with the groups.
As the visitors left the room and returned to the patio for their final exit, they were handed a folder containing Linda’s business card, a vision brochure, a Widow’s Might Brochure, a small book called God’s Promises, a copy of the DVD, and a self-addressed, stamped envelop for those who wished to partner with the ministry at a later date. Secondly, they were encouraged to give on the spot as they were led by the Lord. Many did just that and gave approximately five-thousand dollars for the Widow’s Skills Acquisition center in Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria.
It was truly a glorious day. God was honored and the people who attended were blessed. The pictures reflect some of the beauty of what occurred at the garden walk, but they fail to capture what the Spirit accomplished. Only time will tell how many hearts were touched and lives affected as a result of this great day.
There are so many people to thank for all they did in making this a success for the Lord. To each of you May and Linda give a huge hug and a kiss on each check.
If you are interested in obtaining any of the above mentioned materials, please contact Linda or leave a comment on this blog.
February in Siberia is cold. It was the coldest I have ever been in my life. But, Tyumen Christian Church extended all the warmth I needed to be able to serve the widows. During our stay our team was privileged to minister at five conferences at various churches in Tyumen and two in adjacent villages.
Each of the conferences was well attended and we were prepared to present them with the love of Christ. Cathy Bytwerk and Sabrina Todd brought words of encouragement and beautiful music dedicated to encouraging the widows. Katie Beth also blessed us with her violin and she was able to film the conferences. I, of course, continued to pray for each widow and present monetary and material gifts to them. Revival has entered into one of the churches as a result of last year’s widow’s conference. These women are literally glowing, and they are so happy. Their hands are God’s hands. Since our first meeting, they are currently ministering to orphans in their community.
A representative from Novosibirsk and Omsk, cities to the north west of Tyumen, has issued an invitation for us to return in October. We are looking forward to planning that visit.
On August 15, Mrs. May Dubuc, is opening her home to host a “Bring a Friend” garden walk to benefit Widow’s Might Ministry, International. Her garden is a replica of a portion of the sunken garden found in Bouschea Gardens in British Columbia. She refers to this garden as God’s Garden. When you come, you will see why. Not only is it breathtakingly beautiful, but she has sprinkled Scriptures throughout that encourage you in the Lord. Mrs. Dubuc’s garden has been featured with the Northville Garden Club for several years. When she was asked if she would consider a garden walk to benefit the widows of the world, her response was immediate, decisive and positive! We are thrilled to have this opportunity for others to enjoy God’s Garden as well as to learn about our ministry to widows.
If you are interested in joining us, please email us or call the number listed below.
248-349-8389
A huge thank you goes out to all who are helping to make this fundraiser happen.
Saturday, June 23, was a beautiful day in central lake. The plans had begun several months earlier for the Victorian luncheon hosted by Mrs. Lois Whitehead at her home on Central Lake.
As usual, Lois had a vision, and brought that vision to pass. The food, decorations and music were exceptional. Lois’ friend, Gail, had come from Livonia to make her labor light. Beth and Sherri, Lois’ daughters, brought their beautiful voices from Jackson and Commerce Township, to lead the women with hymns that have blessed generations of Christians.
I humbly became Fanny Crosby, the great, blind hymnist. God provided delightful ladies attired in Victorian array that enjoyed our afternoon together. They also heard many stories about God’s provision for Widow’s Might Ministry, International. And as a plea was made for further funding, they generously contributed to our W-3 project a well, a wall, and a water tower for the widow’s skill acquisition center in Onitsha, Nigeria.
A huge thank you goes out to all the women who served and attended.
At the beginning of September 2006, Linda received word from Pastor Tony Agwaniru that the plots of land had been made available to build the widows' center in Onitsha, Nigeria. Joy sprang up in the team!
That same week Michigan State University donated over 400 desks, 200 hutches, and 40 tilt back chairs for the centers. Catch this-4,000 square feet have been chalked off in a warehouse by a man of God so that the donated furniture has housing until the future centers are prepared.
There's more! A young man who inherited land from his father in Kenya is desirous of us partnering with him to build a widows' center. Of course, we are overwhelmed by God's provision.
A few months ago, we were approached by another ministry in Mali who are also willing to donate land for the same purpose.
Now, you can see why all those desks came when they did.
Of course, plans are in the mix for raising necessary funds to raise the buildings.
Winter/Spring 2007
"W3" is our Phase II project to raise money for the widows center in Nigeria. We must build a wall, a water tower and a well before the actual building is constructed. The total cost of Phase II is $24,000. If you would like more information on Phase II or would like to donate toward the project please email linda@startministries.com.
April 2007
We are half way to our goal of raising $24,000 for the "W3" Project. We are in the process of securing the paper work for purchasing the land in Nigeria. That is in the hands of the Lord and the lawyer! Keep that in prayer.
I remember very clearly God's instruction for me to minister to the widows and orphans-that He did not merely want me to reach out and care for the poor or the needy, but specifically, these two groups of people-women and children who are left alone and often forgotten. I did not know the how of reaching out to them then, but during my time here at Urbana 2006, I began to ask God to specifically show me the steps to take. 'Show me what to do Lord. Show me how to follow your call of five years ago because I really don't know where to begin...'. Those thoughts raced through my mind as I stared at the overwhelming maze of mission organization booths at Urbana.
Lo, and behold, the first aisle I walked down, the Widow's Might Ministry banner with James 1:27 loomed in front of me-my answer to prayer! God was faithful; I knew I had to talk to the representative at START!
In sharing with Linda how God placed a burden on my heart, and listening to her share the vision for Widow's Might Ministries, I knew that God had indeed answered my prayer for how. Not only is the ministry focused on the people I have a heart for, the anticipated establishment of training and medical programs compliments with my interest in healthcare and public speaking.
Just this morning, I had broken down and surrendered my life to answer the Lord's call-whatever, wherever, and whenever. The response songs sung, had the exact words of 'take my hands, take my life'. It is no coincidence that as Linda prayed for me, she lifted up my hands and my life to the Lord, for Him to use and He chooses. While I still don't know for sure about the next few months and where I will end up during my summer break, he has begun to show me how to answer His call and I am excited to be used by Him in His mighty plan. I know God will lead and provide an opportunity to partner with Widow's Might Ministries to reach and touch our widows and orphans with God's love."
-Lydia, Toronto, Ontario
