What do you think of failure? As I reflect back on life, I am amazed that my “failures” are often what God has most used to move me closer to Him. Is that your experience, too? I know it is true for the brave women and their children that Loving Shepherd Ministries serves in Ethiopia. It is often brokenness from past decisions and failures that leads these women to faith and healing.

I want to share one such story with you (see below). It’s a hard story to share because of how dark it shows the world to be. But it’s also a glorious story – one that reveals a God who works through difficulty and failure to “bring beauty from ashes.”

Thank you for making this story possible.

Sincerely,

Ed Schwartz, LSM Founder and Director of New Initiatives

FANA’S STORY: FROM DEATH’S DOORSTEP TO ETERNAL LIFE

“My shame continued until one day I woke up very sick in the hospital, where I was diagnosed with HIV and cancer.”

Fana’s daughters, Aster and Eshe

My name is Fana. Life has been so hard. It all started when my mother passed away while giving birth to my twin sisters. At 9 years old, my dad remarried. His new wife did not want me, and she sent me away to work as a maid. It wasn’t long before this family severely abused me, leaving multiple burn scars. As their abuse worsened, I ran away at 13 years old to the capital, Addis Ababa. I was relieved to find work as a maid until my new employer raped me. I shouted to God,Why don’t You care about me?”

I continued working random jobs until I was 16, when I met a kind man. We married and had 2 daughters, Aster and Eshe. But my husband suddenly died, leaving me a widow with only enough money to survive for 3 months before we became homeless.

Living on the streets, I was forced to beg for food to provide for my children. After someone tried to abuse one of my daughters, we began staying at a local church where I thought we would be safe. While there, the church guard exploited me and offered me money if I allowed him to continue abusing me. I felt like the ultimate failure as a mom: I couldn’t provide safety or food for my girls. With deep guilt, I accepted the church guard’s shameful request and was able to buy bread for my children that day.

My shame intensified when I became a prostitute, selling myself physically and emotionally in order to feed my children. This continued until I woke up very sick in the hospital, where I was diagnosed with HIV and cancer. I felt death was close and began pleading with God to watch over my daughters. I left the hospital hopeless and depressed.

As I was waiting to die, God sent LSM’s Family Preservation staff with an invitation to join their program. I felt unworthy. After failing so many times, why did God even care about me? But He opened the door through LSM to give my daughters and me a new beginning.

We never felt judged as they lovingly discipled and cared for my family. I was provided healthcare, counseling, and business training. But most importantly, I found a personal relationship with Jesus. My daughters, traumatized and depressed, were also welcomed with open arms and provided Biblical counseling and educational support. My oldest daughter will soon begin high school and my youngest will begin 3rd grade. They are now safe and happy and are leaders at school and church.

My life was full of struggles, failures and shame. But now I share my life’s story and teach other women about God’s healing grace and mercy. I am a new woman, redeemed from my past sins and mistakes and living as a witness of God’s redemptive mercy! Thank you for your prayers and support for my family.

WILL YOU HELP EMPOWER WOMEN IN ETHIOPIA?

When Fana felt like the ultimate failure, God was right there leading her toward redemption. Our prayer is to help many more women like Fana and her daughters. Would you help us to empower and give dignity to even more vulnerable families in Ethiopia? Our goal is to raise $40,000 to provide life-giving support to these women. It costs $2,500 a year to help a family like Fana and her daughters. The cost breakdown is below. Would you prayerfully consider covering all or a portion of the costs for one family? We’re thankful that a generous donor will match every dollar given towards this special campaign. Thanks for your prayerful consideration.

THE IMPACT OF FAMILY PRESERVATION IN ETHIOPIA

Our program has rescued and restored hundreds of Ethiopian families like Fana’s, including more than 280 children! Our Gospel-driven approach empowers families with skills and resources to live with dignity and to pursue their God-given purpose! With your help, even more families can thrive and transform their culture for Christ. Your support helps provide:

Families are being impacted because of your support.

Thank you for changing lives for Christ!

God has redeemed my family! After becoming a widow, I was unable to provide for my children. But thanks to LSM, we are no longer ashamed but thankful for being rescued. Through discipleship and mentoring we are also sharing about God’s love and grace with other vulnerable families in our community. – Geta

Our lives have significantly changed by receiving Christian counseling and discipleship, and I’ve been given dignity through business training. We are no longer living on the street and my children are now living a legacy for God! – Alem

SPECIAL NOTE: It’s unlikely we’ll endure the same hardship as Fana. But we all know what it is to feel like a failure. This inspired Ed Schwartz to write “A Legacy of Failures,” which explores the Biblical basis for building a legacy through God’s redemption in our lives. We pray that Ed’s new book helps you see how God can redeem our failures for His glory! If you would like a copy of the book, simply check the box on the online giving form. All expenses for the book have been covered by a donor, which allows 100% of your gift to be used for vulnerable families in Ethiopia.