Use Your Voice

Dear Sisters,

Life has caught up with me since I have turned 50 and I have been busier than ever.
Great times of fellowship and opportunities to serve have been around every corner and trying to keep ministry, work and family all in balance. Not always an easy task but I know that God will see me through and give me strength to accomplish what he has called me to do.

This past week, I had the opportunity to go to Washington, DC with other AB Women from across the country and use my voice for those who do not have a voice - victims of human trafficking. I also had the pleasure of bringing my daughter Carrie with me on the trip. We had time to visit a couple of art galleries and take a duck tour around DC. Our nation's capital is such a great place to be.

Carrie and I met our American Baptist Sisters on Monday afternoon for meetings that focused on the issue of human trafficking and preparations for our meetings Tuesday on Capital Hill. We heard from a representatve of the Polaris Project, met other denominational advocates and had the pleasure of meeting our own Home Mission Society DC Director who hosted us and was so helpful. Thank you Curtis. In addition we met with the counsel from the Baptist Joint Committe who also guided us in our preparations.

Tuesday morning AB Women met briefly and then off we went to Capital Hill to meet with our senators and representatives. My friend Judy, Carrie and I met with Senator Scott Brown and a member of his staff. What a great meeting and special opportunity to share with our Senator personally the issue of human trafficking. We also had a meeting with a staff member from Senator Kerry's office who was also very helpful and knowledgeable on the issue of human trafficking.

I learned that I had a voice and that our lawmakers our interested in what we have to say. As Christian women, destined for God's purpose, we need to remember that not only do we have a voice - we must use our voice to make a difference in this world.
I urge you not to stay silent but to use your voice for what call's us to be passionate about.

Thank you to my American Baptist Sisters who made this a fabulous opportunity for me and Carrie. Thank you to Peggy for organizing the event and mostly, thank you to God for giving me a voice and giving me the courage to use it.

Until we meet again, let us share our voice with those who do not have a voice........

Your Sister in Christ,

Barbara

Life begins at 50

Dear Sisters,

This week has been a wonderful and special week in my life. On St. Patrick's Day I turned 50. Many people wish to be younger and are unhappy when they hit the big
50. At 50, I feel that I have finally come in to my own, that I am fulfilling the purpose that God has been preparing me for all my life. I feel complete.

On the evening before my birthday I had a wonderful dinner celebration in Maine with my brother Billy and his wife Dawn which included two of his kids, Sara and Ben along with Devon, Ben's girlfriend. Of course my hubby Phil, Carrie and my mom were there also.

After dinner I had the priviledge of leading a Break the Chains celebration at the Court St. Baptist Church in Auburn, Maine. The women made and sold over $2500 worth of aprons to support the BTC project assisting victims of Human Trafficking. What a wonderful and inspiring group of women.

Today, my church, Trinity Baptist Church, voted to accept my proposal and today we launched a new ministry, "All Hands In" a ministry that will be working on human trafficking issues and it's first project will be to provide a safe house in Boston for trafficking victims. I am so blessed that God would use me and allow me to be a part of this ministry. I ask for your prayers during this time of start-up and preparation of "All Hands In"

So here I am at 50 feeling that God's windows of opportunities are endless and can hardly wait to see where he leads me next. I thank God for the past 50 years and all the events and experiences that have made up my life to date. That make me the person I am and I am proud to continue to be a Women of 50....Destined for God's Purpose.

Blessings,

Barbara

International Women's Day

This past Monday was International Women's Day and I could not pass this opportunity to say that I am thankful for all the women in my life. Women who have been mentors, friends, pastors and family members. You are all so special.

I am particularly thankful to my AB Women's Ministries and AB GIRLS families. These two ministries lift up and empower women and girls. Each has challenged and stretched me to be a woman who is destined for God's purpose. To every Christian woman and girl, I want to challenge you on how can we make a difference in a girl or woman's life who is oppressed. How can we partner with Christian sisters in other countries to support educaton for young girls, give women economic empowerment or provide better health options for women.

Read Nicholas Kristof's column http://kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/08/three-proven-steps-to-advance-the-worlds-women-on-international-womens-day/ or read the book, Half te Sky. Think and pray about it.

We are creative and innovative women and if we work together, I believe we can be a part of a larger movement in assisting women out of oppression while modeling the love of Christ.

Step out with me and let us continue to empower women and girls.... destined for God's purpose.

Your Sister in Christ,

Barbara