Letters From Home

Loved in a foster home with 35 other kids. And only having slept in a real bed for the first time at age 10. Can you imagine what life in that home might be like? Or what trauma you would go through, just to get to that point?

You will hear her extremely difficult childhood. You will also hear how the Lord saved her, and and has become the hero of her story. And now, as she is still healing, she has a worldwide ministry helping others who have suffered from PTSD, and abuse. Seen, Known, Loved and Heard.

Joel 2:25 “I will restore the years the locust has stolen form you.”

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Topics Shared:
Home was a war zone, locked in rooms, no beds, not fed, not protected, abused
Pedaling boiled peanuts on the street at age 7
Her church pastor called the authorities
Rejected by her Mother, parental rights were terminated
Spent 18 months with her pastor and family, the Dunnings
Slept in a bed for the first time at age 10
Moved to Faith Children’s Home, now Hope International Ministries
Feelings of intense rejection
35 other kids in Victory Faith, with Mom and Dad McGowan (Dr. Lundy and Jackie McGowan)
Sharing room with 5 other girls
Loved for who she was, not for what she did
Since 1968 the children’s home has 1005 subsisted on donations
Traveling and singing at churches all over the region
On a Greyhound bus with “Faith Children’s Home” painted on the side
Hope Christian School Years, College
Forgiveness and healing with her Mom
Bad Decisions
Rocky marriage
Domestic Violence and PTSD
Losing family
Writing her book and Podcasting
Seen, Known, Heard, Loved and Valued

Amy Quotes:
“When I hear the word ‘home’, I think of a dorm settled on 45 acres in Tampa Bay Florida, with 35 other kids, 5 other girls in the room with me. I think of gross food, that one eats at an institution like a children’s home, but I think of, that was the time when I was loved for who I was, not for what I did or what I could bring to the table.”

“I love back then and even now, some Jesus because He is my everything. I think somehow I recognized that there was no way to make it through. He is the only one who has never left me.”

“There was a group of women that I could tell about my domestic violence, what was going on at home, and they loved me back to life by pushing me to the throne of Jesus and being His hands and feet.”

Amy Watson’s Podcast: Wednesdays With Watson Podcast


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We would love to hear how the Lord has encouraged you through this story at [email protected]

For more everyday extraordinary faith stories:
We are on Instagram, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, iHeartRadio and all of the places podcasts live. Just type in ‘Letters From Home Podcast’ and scroll down until you see the rainbow.

Have you made a mistake, a really big one, early on in marriage? Did you think your marriage was over? Our society is so prone to cancel for the smallest of transgressions. But not God. God wants to not only completely heal us, but to have our healing be a story that can be lived and shared out loud, to help others heal.

Raven Hartwell has a beautiful love story of redemption, that she so lovingly and vulnerably shares. She has a wonderful childlike faith, and you can hear that 100% trust in her God as she shares. You will be so encouraged. Raven and her husband Keith love and serve the Lord with their precious sons, influencing this world for good.

Rev. 12:11- “And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. “

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Topics Shared:
Happy childhood
Struggles with rejection
Cutting to deal with the pain
72 hours in psych ward
Forgiveness and letting go
Favored by God
High school diploma struggle and gift
Married at 20 without parents approval
In laws cause major stress
Marital infidelity early in marriage
It took years to forgive herself
Learning to love each other again
Starting their family
A third pregnancy
Unexpected stillbirth in 2020
Pandemic hospital protocol
Precious Kyler
Freedom from the grip of grief
Isaiah 54
Time to tell their story
Helping thousands on social media
Starting a marriage podcast

Raven Quotes:

“He has always favored me, and He has always seen me when I thought my parents didn’t.”
“I was experiencing rejection from a family that I really wanted to marry into forever.”
“I think people don’t understand. They underestimate how much of an impact family has on your marriage. It is really vital to be of one accord as a couple.”
“There is power in forgiveness. You feel free when you are forgiven.”
“I have never been one to enjoy grief. I don’t believe it is a beautiful thing. It is not something that you can sit in. It really can put pressure on you, into questioning your life and holding you back from life, that God has given you to move forward.”


References:
Raven Hartwell’s podcast: “Beyond The Altar”

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We would love to hear how the Lord has encouraged you through this story at [email protected]

For more everyday extraordinary faith stories:
We are on Instagram, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, iHeartRadio and all of the places podcasts live. Just type in ‘Letters From Home Podcast’ and scroll down until you see the rainbow.

What is the great message and theme of your life? Would finding the answer to this question make a difference? In my last several podcast episodes I asked this question of my guests, and have put together an audio montage of their answers. The answers might inspire you to find the great message and theme of your own life, as well as discover this beauty in others.

You will hear from Markus Watson, Lee Ann Mancini, Renod Bejjani, Ami Shroyer, Joe Delagrave, Sue Donaldson and Rodney Olsen. Last year, I discovered the great theme and message of my own life. You will hear my answer, as well as several other of my family members. Here is a peek:

John 14:3 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”

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Related Episodes:
1. Ep. 44- “Falsely Accused Pastor” God’s Beloved, Markus Watson 
2. Ep. 45- “Family Honor” The Story of The Real Jerry Dugan
3. Ep. 46- “Raising Lee Ann” A Tale of Italy, Alzheimers and Strong Foundations
4. Ep. 47’-“Kidnapped and Tortured” Renod Bejjani’s Story of Hope
5. Ep. 48 “Loved for 100 Years in 20” Ami Shroyer
6. Ep. 49 “Quadriplegic Paralympian for Team Jesus” Joe Delagrave 

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We would love to hear how the Lord has encouraged you through this story at [email protected]

For more everyday extraordinary faith stories:
We are on Instagram, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, iHeartRadio and all of the places podcasts live. Just type in ‘Letters From Home Podcast’ and scroll down until you see the rainbow.

Can you imagine at age 19, after a boating accident, waking up from surgery to the doctors telling you that you will never walk again? This is the beginning of Joe Delagrave’s deep transformation. His journey to forgiveness and faith is one you will never forget. He brings us into his happy but imperfect childhood, his WSU football days, his boating accident, a life-changing prison visit, and ultimately his inner heart working, that gave him the drive of an Olympian. He is a keynote speaker, Team USA Paralympic Wheelchair Rigby Player, and well loved child of God.

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”

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Topics Shared:
Soaking up affirmation from coaches
His goal in high school was being a college athlete
Supportive parents
Birth father in prison, missed Joe’s entire childhood
It wasn’t 15 years for some crazy offense, it was choices over and over
Drugs, check fraud, not paying his rent
At 13 God spoke to him about being a speaker
His battle between pleasing people or pleasing God
Football Scholarship to Winona State in Mn.
Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin and the back sloughs of Mississippi
Boating accident
Spinal cord injury levels
Joe’s neck snaps at the C6 and C7, and he blacks out
Rescue boat, ambulance, then med flighted to the local hospital
The Asia Test proves his spinal injury
Airlifted to LaCrosse Hospital for surgery to fuse his C6 and 7
Complete quadriplegic or incomplete quadriplegic?
Don Beebee House of Speed shirt cut off
Opening his eyes to Prov. 3:5-6, and a newly-abled world
Surrounded by loving family
The God of 2nd chances
Functioning as an incomplete C6 and C7 quadriplegic
God softens his heart toward his dad
Visiting his birth father in prison
Reconciliation and forgiveness in one life-changing encounter
Marriage, babies and adaptive sports
Discovering wheelchair rugby
An athlete again
Preparing, making and medaling in the Paralympics
A plan of 3’s

Joe’s Quotes:
“Are we on fire for God, or on fire for what people think? A lot of times those two don’t coexist very well.”
“As my athletic career was taking off, my relationship with Jesus was completely going the opposite way.”
“Going through sports and you see the dads coaching their kids, I was so jealous of the relationship.”
“We never know what kind of impact we make by simply being kind.”


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We would love to hear how the Lord has encouraged you through this story at [email protected]

For more everyday extraordinary faith stories:
We are on Instagram, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, iHeartRadio and all of the places podcasts live. Just type in ‘Letters From Home Podcast’ and scroll down until you see the rainbow.

Loved for 100 years in 20. Not everyone gets to experience a love like this. Ami did. As a traveling teen musician, she met the love of her life. They start their marriage in love and soon after they start their family. While serving the Lord as a family, preparing land for a new ministry, her husband Mike inhales some debris. Through a series of misdiagnosis and careless medical practice, Mike passes away. Ami brings us into that season of her life, the love, the pain and the beyond. Her name means ‘beloved little follower of the Lord, and as her story unfolds, you will see her uncommon faith, from just a little girl, to this present day. She is resilient, and has an affinity for daisies, which reminds her of the love of her husband, Mike Shroyer, who loved her for 100 years in 20.

Heb. 12:1-“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
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Topics Shared:
Beloved little follower of the Lord
Uncommon faith
Creative child whose wings were clipped
Lived in 21 different houses before 21
Jesus clubs and writing music
Friend-zoned Bill Gaither’s nephew
Skipped graduation to travel around the country singing
Severed parental relationship made right
Meeting the love of her life
“Miracle of Mercy” Mike’s life song
Quick & happy marriage
Working at Andy Stanley’s church, their Atlanta years
Starting a family wholeness center
The 5/11 Wholeness Journey
Mike gets suddenly ill
The Doctors fumble his care
Medicinal toxicity and dehydration sets in
One last visit
Horrible passing
Superman
Loved for 100 years in 20
Fields of daisies
Name on the front of the building
A voice for strong homes

Ami Quotes:
“I always want purpose, not closure. You can’t close off a love like this. We are not meant to. We need to continue to live wide open with purpose.”
“It literally feels like he is on a trip before we get there, but he just got there first.”
“The night that he passed away my daughter said ‘Mom, now it’s even. And I said, ‘what do you mean?’ And she said, ‘Well the two babies that are in heaven have Dad, and you have us. It’s even.”
My son said, “I’ve been thinking, I could be really angry with God that I am 12 and Sadie is 8, and that this would happen, but I got to thinking, if this were going to happen some day anyway, I would rather that it happen when I’m 12 and Sadie is 8, because if it were later in life, you would be all alone, and right now you have us.”

Resources:
Elizabeth Elliot “Path of Suffering”

Podcast:
Journey Through Fields of Daisies 

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We would love to hear how the Lord has encouraged you through this story at [email protected]

For more everyday extraordinary faith stories:
We are on Instagram, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, iHeartRadio and all of the places podcasts live. Just type in ‘Letters From Home Podcast’ and scroll down until you see the rainbow.

“Can you imagine a child being tortured for being a Christian, in several Islamic ruled nations over many years? And that child growing up at age 13, fighting in a war, for survival, because of being a Christian? Renod’s story is profound, and moving. His traumatic upbringing, led to a hatred of Muslims, and turning his back on God for 25 years. 9/11 changed everything. Today, he and his wife Karen serve the people he once despised. You will be enthralled with his story and the needed transformation God brought about in his heart. Their ministry is called “I Hope Ministries”. They have a heart to help bring Muslims to Christ and help equip others to do the same.

IICor. 5:20-“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”

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Points Shared:
Born in Bagdad, Iraq in a Christian Lebanese family
Raised in an Islamic ruled nation
Non-Muslims had less rights and freedoms
Unorthodox home schooling
At 5 he spoke about Jesus to friends on the street
Kidnapped and tortured by an Islamic extremist
His narrow escape
This pattern continued for 7 years, spanning many countries
He discovers the meaning of the word kafir, ‘infidel’, someone who does not believe in the God of Islam.
Anger and hate grew in his 10 yr. old heart
At age 13, he fought in the Lebanese war between Christians and Muslims for survival, for 6 months, and was also in hiding.
Flying across the world from Tripoli Libya and finding his way around Los Angeles, at 13, alone.
Culture shock and bullying in the U.S.
Walking away from the Lord for 25 years
9/11 changes everything
Mission trip back to a Muslim country
I Hope Ministries is born.

Renod Bejjani Quotes:
“I packed my bags . I would line them up in the closet. I would sleep in the closet with my arm around my bags saying ‘Lord I want to wake up with my parents.”

“Today Islam is the 2nd largest religion in the world, and out in the West including in America, Islam has been doubling every 10 years, while Christianity is declining fast.”

Books-“Muslims: 5 Biblical Essentials Every Christian Must Know and Do”
“The Way to Paradise”

Related Episode:
Letters From Home Ep. 37-“Finding His Father” Michael McDonald


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We would love to hear how the Lord has encouraged you through this story at [email protected]

For more everyday extraordinary faith stories:
We are on Instagram, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, iHeartRadio and all of the places podcasts live. Just type in ‘Letters From Home Podcast’ and scroll down until you see the rainbow.

Living with Alzheimer’s. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have a parent with Alzheimer’s living with you? How about as a young woman? Lee Ann shares her story of faith from a little Italian girl, who never knew her father. She was raised by her single mom who though she only had the opportunity to complete a 6th grade education gave Lee Ann the love and strong faith foundation she would need for life. Today Lee Ann is an adjunct professor at the South Florida Bible College and Theological Seminary and the author of many books, including The Brightest Minds in Children’s Spirituality. She has created many videos and children’s books to help parents in raising Christian kids. Her desire to give back is palpable, and in her story you will see what made her the joyful Christian woman she is today.

IThes. 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

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Sharing Points:
Italian upbringing
Raised by a single mom
Saved from her mother’s abusive boyfriend
Fatherless upbringing
Saved from abuse
Not able to go to college
A young adult caregiver for her mother with Alzheimers
Mother with Alzheimers gets lost for days
Transition to a care facility
Marriage and family
SeaKids Ministry
Raising Christian Kids Podcast
The Brightest Minds in Children’s Spirituality
Her producer Cliff McDowell 23 Entertainment
Books turned into an animation series called SeaKids
South Florida Bible College and Theological Seminary Adjunct Professor
Ken Hamm “Answers in Genesis”

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We would love to hear how the Lord has encouraged you through this story at [email protected]

For more everyday extraordinary faith stories:
We are on Instagram, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, iHeartRadio and all of the places podcasts live. Just type in ‘Letters From Home Podcast’ and scroll down until you see the rainbow.

Family honor. Does your family name bring you joy? For some it brings shame, and a deep desire to restore that honor. Jerry Dugan shares his story and journey to bring honor to his family name.
At 14, in his mind, his family name stood for trouble, heartbreak, bullying, racial microaggressions and brokenness. He had already been through so much in his young life. And this environment took a huge toll.
Jerry shares with us the life-changing prayers and loving God that lead him to a new family honor, and helped him to change the generational patterns that informed his childhood. He isn’t perfect, but he is The Real Jerry Dugan.

Jeremiah 1:5-“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

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Topics Shared:
Biracial childhood
Tiger Mom
Performance-based acceptance
Performance-based affection
Top Gun style bet to break up his parents
Heart-breaking divorce
The Army brushed a lot of things under the carpet
Suicide ideations and suicide attempts
Intervention
Loving foster home
Bullied by uncles in Ca.
His gentle father flips the switch to military policeman with army training
A turning point
Deployment to Kuwait, 1/’03-3/’03
Writing the ‘in case I die’ letter
War homecoming and seeing his kids for the first time

Quotes:
“When you are 7 or 8 years old and the amount of affection you are getting from your mom, the kind of attention you get from your mom is solely based on your performance in an activity, that sets a weird expectation.”

“In the movies they always have that ‘in case I die’ letter they hand to their buddy to hand off, but I was so convinced I was going to die, that I wrote my letter. I disguised the wording just enough so it didn’t freak my wife out when she read it, but it was there. Everything I wanted to say to her was in that letter. I folded it, and I mailed it that night. It was one last mail run before we crossed the border.”

“We as a church can do better, back off the condemnation, and demonstrate more of the Jesus who hung out with prostitutes and tax collectors and treated them with dignity, treated them with respect because he honored their dignity.”

References:

Beyond the Rut Podcast, Jerry Dugan Ted Talk, 

The Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
& Website: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/


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We would love to hear how the Lord has encouraged you through this story at [email protected]

For more everyday extraordinary faith stories:
We are on Instagram, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, iHeartRadio and all of the places podcasts live. Just type in ‘Letters From Home Podcast’ and scroll down until you see the rainbow.

Can you imagine being falsely accused as a pastor? And then adding to that, false charges filed against you, where the FBI gets involved? Awful charges. Markus Watson walks through what he and his family went through, at their church. But that is not the final chapter. Markus has arisen from that devastating chapter with a new chapter in his life. He is currently the pastor at Westmoreland Community Presbyterian Church, and the best-selling author, of Beyond Thingification, but more importantly, he knows he is God’s beloved. His story will grip your heart, and change your perspective on so many levels.

Jer. 31:3-“The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.”

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Topics Shared:
Raised in faith
Aspiring Hollywood actor
A change of plans
Fuller Seminary
Pastoring his first church
Emergency meeting while on sabbatical
Accused of porn
Forensic analysis of his laptop
Turns into a potential criminal investigation
The FBI got involved
How the attorney knew he was innocent
Exonerated by the Presbytery
Voted out of his church
Flourish San Diego
Beyond Thingification
Pastor at Westmorland Community Presbyterian Church


Markus’ Quotes:

“The FBI had my laptop.”
“There are some good things that came out of this that were very painful at the time.”
” ‘Lord, I don’t deserve your love.’ What a terrible message to be telling myself over and over and over again.”
“I spent a lot of time in the Psalms, Psalms of lament.”
“I had this image of myself having lost everything, sitting in a prison cell.”
“We had double our normal attendance that Sunday. Everyone will show up for a scandal.”
“The thought of being a pastor again felt like being thrown into a snake pit.”
“We can’t love someone if we are judging them.”


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We would love to hear how the Lord has encouraged you through this story at [email protected]

For more everyday extraordinary faith stories:
We are on Instagram, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, iHeartRadio and all of the places podcasts live. Just type in ‘Letters From Home Podcast’ and scroll down until you see the rainbow.

Pain. We all have it to various degrees. And sometimes, in the heat of it, we don’t know the purpose. Purpose Pains. This is the book Deonte Bolden wrote. Deonte, Beloved and Jazzy, hosts of the DNA Podcast share their faith stories, and the discoveries of the purpose for their hardest moments. This is a journey that will encourage and uplift your faith!

Jeremiah 33:3-“Call to me and I will answer you and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. “

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DNA Podcast Hosts Sharing Points

Deonte:
-Growing up very young
-Muscular Dystrophy
-Losing his brother senior year
-Delayed grieving process
-Experimenting with same sex relationships
-Accountability group help
-First stage production “Looking For Love in All The Wrong Places”
-“The Skin I’m In”

Quotes From Deonte:
“He turned that test into a testimony. “
“With this whole COVID experience, you realize that life is short and you want to love people while they are here.”
“We expose our wounds to let God do the healing.”

Beloved:
-God changed her name
-Seeking for long in the wrong places
-Three months of marriage and feeling like a failure
-Verbal and emotional abuse
-the mentality of abandonment

Quotes From Beloved:
“When God changed me on the inside, He let me know ‘Your name is now Beloved’ because you are my Beloved one and I love you with all my heart, mind and soul.”
“I always just wanted a mother, and she was too busy trying to be my friend.”
“I know I was born for greatness.”

Jazzy:
-Sweet parents
-Traumatic teen years
-Unhealthy relationships
-Body image
-Forgiving her perpetrators
-Fear of rejection
-The Lord has me on the ‘Do Not Touch’ list

Quotes From Jazzy:
“I can identify the feelings that I had back then , but I am not inside of those feelings. I have finally reached a place of wholeness . I use it as a testimony now. I use it to empower myself”.
“My favorite book of the Bible is Genesis. It is the best soap opera.”


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We would love to hear how the Lord has encouraged you through this story at [email protected]

For more everyday extraordinary faith stories:
We are on Instagram, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, iHeartRadio and all of the places podcasts live. Just type in ‘Letters From Home Podcast’ and scroll down until you see the rainbow.