The Journey Podcast

Mary Beth grew up in a home of church goers and foster children, but her parents decided to call it quits.  When she was 7 years old, her parents divorced, the foster siblings were sent away, they walked away from church and life as she knew it changed forever.  Church attendance wasn’t enough and Mary Beth was left confused and feeling abandoned. 

A few years later she was introduced to God as a Father who would never leave her or forsake her.  She came to know Jesus as a trusted friend and as her relationship with him grew, her mother chose to return to Jesus as well.  

Her life has been full of left turns.  Some were within her control and some were not, but Jesus was there through them all.  

Toward the end of this interview, Mary Beth shares how she met her husband and the work they do around the globe to share the love of Jesus.  You can learn more about their work or offer your support on their website – Double Portion Ministries.  

Stay tuned for “the rest of the story.”  How Mary Beth and her husband got connected with believers overseas will blow your mind!  That story is coming in a sequel in the next few weeks! 

 
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Nanette’s mother died when she was 6 years old and she spent decades trying to fill that void. Multiple failed marriages led her to Jesus’ feet where He picked her up and made all things new. 

For anyone who’s ever divorced and carried shame and regret...this story is for you. 

For anyone who’s made poor decisions and thought the mess was too great...this story is for you. 

For anyone who thinks it’s too late for God to bring beauty from ashes...this story is for you. 

No shame is too great, no hole is too deep and it’s never too late to receive Jesus’ mercy, grace and redemption. 

This interview is extra special to me.  Nanette is my mama and it is my great honor to document her story for my own family's history, but also to share it with you.  I am honored to stand on her shoulders and learn from her hard earned life lessons.  

Today I bring you an extra special story.  My mom has joined the podcast to share my Grandmother Annetta's story.  Her life was marked by tragedy after tragedy but was balanced by miracles only the God of the universe could deliver.  

Annetta lost her mother at 3 years old. She married young subsequently divorced a physically abusive husband, something that simply wasn't done in the 1940s.  She received a fatal diagnosed of chronic malignant hypertension and knew she would never grow old.  

Her greatest desire was to have a baby.  She endured 7 miscarriages and 2 stillborns before her tiny 2 pound miracle baby made her entrance into the world.  She loved that baby, my mom, with everything she had and left her a legacy of faith we are still talking about almost 60 years after her death.  

When she knew the Lord was preparing to take her home, she had two simple requests surrounding her death.  The Lord heard her cries and granted them to her.  

I've known this story my whole life and it has served as a concrete block in the foundation of MY faith.  I hope her story of loss and restoration builds your confidence in the God who hears. 

Lindsey's story is one of God's faithfulness and how He has a magnificent plan for each of us, if we're just willing to give Him our "yes."  

Her relationship with Jesus started as a child when He provided friendship through a difficult move.  Lindsey learned that she could trust the Lord and He would be there for her, no matter what.  As the years progressed, He planted a dream in her heart of living overseas, but that was soon shattered when she was diagnosed with Crone's disease.  

The dream never died and the Lord opened miraculous doors to heal her health struggles and use her in powerful ways overseas.  He transformed her from a shy, introverted girl, to a powerful woman of God, willing to boldly follow Him anywhere and embrace anyone in her path.  

Lindsey works with Teach Beyond.  You can find more information about this organization here: 
www.teachbeyong.org. 

You can support Lindsey financially here: 
https://give.teachbeyond.org/support/lindsey-estes/

We got married at the tail end of university and that day couldn't come soon enough.  We did some things in that season really well.  Other things...eh, they needed improvement.  There were so many new challenges...bills to pay, seeing each other every day, a for real grown up job, petty arguments, and buying refrigerators!  

We had no idea where this life was headed, but we were thrilled to go there together.  Marriage is meant to be the greatest blessing, and we are still walking in the fruit of the decisions we made those first few months.  

Mariana grew up in Brazil.  Her strict Catholic family was not so thrilled when she chose to join a different church that taught about a relationship with Jesus.  This disagreement cost her the large wedding celebration she had hoped for, but she wasn’t backing down.  In time, her father watched the changes in her and became curious of her new way of life.  

In 2016 the Lord led her family to move to China for her husband’s work.  There they have found that God continues to lead them and use them in that place.  He has provided friends from across the globe and fellowship with other believers.  She reflects on what a gathering looks like there and how it’s simplicity is so powerful.  

Mariana is a brave woman with a big heart of love.  She is full of joy and a gift to all who meet her.  

Hadassa is a powerful woman of God.  Every conversation with her leaves me encouraged and challenged.  On this episode she shares about how she met the Holy Spirit and how that changed everything for her.  

She also walks us through the last ten years of the life of Lighthouse Fellowship Antwerpen in Belgium.  The Lord has been faithful to guide them by pruning, by teaching them to rest and pray into His work.  The last few months have seen an enormous harvest and I am excited to share it with you. 

Hadassa also shares about the idea of Shabot, a weekly Sabbath family meal that focuses on rest, peace and blessings.  More information about this powerful tool can be found here: 
 https://lighthouseantwerpen.be/resources/

After dating for a year and a half in high school, Nathan and I chose universities that were 4 hours apart.  We each had incredible, full college experiences that have served us well throughout life, but in the end we were both focused on getting through that season and being together.  

Melanie is a young woman who knows Jesus as a friend and a Father.  He is as real to her as the guy sitting next to her on the metro.  He talks to her, He guides her and she has seen His faithfulness over and over.  Jesus has taught her that He is trustworthy and that true peace only comes from following Him.  

Most recently she left her home in Germany to marry her Ugandan man and live in Africa.  Even though life can be difficult at times, she has full confidence that He was faithful then and He’ll be faithful now.  

After leaving China for COVID-19 and being unable to return, the company decided it was best for our family to relocate to USA.  We have accepted a job in the Houston, Texas area, but riding the emotional roller coaster and finding a house didn't prove to be that easy.  

For 5 days we looked at 21 houses, dreaming of what the next season of life might look like.  We thought we'd made a decision, but His still small voice directed our path in another direction.  On the afternoon of the last day, He unveiled the most perfect house that He had clearly been saving for our family.  This house has ALL the things!  All the things we felt like we needed, all the things we wanted, AND all the things we dreamed about.  

It's going to be a great, great season!  

There are tons of details in this story, but hang in there.  They're all important.  He's a God of details and every one is important to Him.