Out of the Mouths of Treasures!
When you partner with Treasures, YOU are making a difference! Below are thank you notes from our girls that I wanted to share with you…
Loved.
“Just wanted to say a little thank you for all you allow Him to do through you. Thank you for sharing His love with me through this ministry. In chains of shame I am most often shackled, usually without a fight... You have helped me to see that I am truly a treasure, truly a new creation. My worth is far above rubies, and I am better cared for than the birds of the air who neither reap nor sow. I am in His hands and Loved fully, completely by Him.
Thank you for helping me to continue to realize these truths. Thank you for helping me to no longer dwell on the past, but instead keep moving forward into healing and restoration. Thank you!”
Valued.
“Being a dancer for almost ten years took its toll on me and I witnessed many unfortunate things during my life as a dancer. Your organization has helped me and countless other women to quit a life of degradation to better our lives. Today I hope that my story will help others to understand how dangerous this lifestyle really is. Thank you!”
Purposed.
“I've become so much stronger! I was almost pronounced dead earlier this year and even had to have heart surgery. During my struggles, I would read the testimonies from Treasures of other women like me and I would cry and thank God for what he's doing. I knew that what He did for them, He could do for me too. My dream now is to travel and do mission work, help build homes for the needy, and to do charity work, wherever God leads me. I want to encourage people that God is real and there is nothing He can't do. God even said we would do great things and today, I believe it and receive it. Thank you all for your prayers, support, and love.”
Treasured.
So I just wanted to send an email to let you guys know what God has done through the Treasures organization. I've heard of you guys and I turned my life around 2 years ago! Recently I began seeing how I needed to face my past and be completely healed. I know God will use my past to bring other girls to Him but I needed to deal with it first. I started listening to the Treasures teaching cds. Just from listening to the first CD my heart got turned back to Him. I trust you guys and I read ALL of the devotionals that you send out! I'm just so excited because with what I hear and apply to MY own life with what is being taught I know God is faithful to fully heal and restore me! So I just wanted to say THANK YOU.”
Treasures.
It's hard to believe that this month marks 6 years since I founded Treasures. We've come a long way since then but our vision is still the same. Seeing young women go from needing support and mentoring to reaching and serving other women who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation, trafficking, and life in the sex industry is watching the vision come full-circle!
None of this would be possible without YOU, our supporter! Your giving is essential to continuing to offer support and mentoring to these precious women. Before the year ends, we are asking you to consider making a financial contribution so that in 2010, we can continue strong in offering hope and restoration to the women we serve.
Merry Christmas!
Love,
Harmony & The Treasures Team
PS. One-time and monthly contributions can be made at www.iamatreasure.com/donations
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
What would you do?
You can make a difference
in the lives of women like Crystal . . .
Crystal*, a 21-year-old mother of two, had been stripping since she was fifteen. Two years ago, she miraculously reached out for help.
Like too many women, Crystal, hurting and vulnerable, was lured into sex work when she was just a child. Some are coerced and manipulated by men posing as boyfriends or caring “father figures,” while others are kidnapped and forced into sex work by traffickers.
While she was still stripping, Crystal made the commitment to change her life. She found a church where sincere love came from a pastor and his wife. But not everyone loved her...
Two women discovered what she did for a living. Showing up on her doorstep, they told Crystal she and her children were not welcome at their church.
Crystal desperately called the pastor. He assured her that he would speak to the women about the matter. But then the women returned to Crystal’s home -- this time with threats.
"The next time you go running to the pastor will be your last!"
The following morning, Crystal found her car vandalized. In the middle of the night, someone painted the words "Whore, Prostitute, Slut" on her car. Other names were also added, but too vile to include here.
In spite of feelings of hurt and anger, Crystal demonstrated a relentless pursuit of God. She was unwilling to allow anyone come in the way of her love of God . . . and her desire to know Him intimately. Many people in Crystal’s position would never set foot in a church again. Could anyone blame her?
With incredible tenacity, Crystal didn’t allow the ignorance of two people to keep her from finding a safe church where she and her children could grow and heal. The transformation in Crystal’s life is nothing short of miraculous! Recently, she wrote...
“Harmony, my family and I are doing well. Thank you for the time you took to talk with me and encourage me. I am now the youth pastor at our church! I also share my story publicly alongside my pastor, with the heart of our message being Treasures and the investment you made in my life. My church is raising funds for Treasures to keep you doing what you do and reaching these girls—the girls you and I once were. Treasures made a huge difference in my life.”
When you partner with Treasures, you help heal and transform women just like Crystal!
Your gift of $25, $50, $100, $200, or even $500 or more will purchase special gift bags, care packages, and Bibles for the women we are reaching.
What better gift can you make as the holidays arrive?
With Love & Gratitude,
Harmony Dust
Founder
PS. Donations can be made at www.iamatreasure.com/donations or mailed to PO # 2013 North Hills, CA 91343-2013
*Names and identifying info has been changed to protect confidentiality.
in the lives of women like Crystal . . .
Crystal*, a 21-year-old mother of two, had been stripping since she was fifteen. Two years ago, she miraculously reached out for help.
Like too many women, Crystal, hurting and vulnerable, was lured into sex work when she was just a child. Some are coerced and manipulated by men posing as boyfriends or caring “father figures,” while others are kidnapped and forced into sex work by traffickers.
While she was still stripping, Crystal made the commitment to change her life. She found a church where sincere love came from a pastor and his wife. But not everyone loved her...
Two women discovered what she did for a living. Showing up on her doorstep, they told Crystal she and her children were not welcome at their church.
Crystal desperately called the pastor. He assured her that he would speak to the women about the matter. But then the women returned to Crystal’s home -- this time with threats.
"The next time you go running to the pastor will be your last!"
The following morning, Crystal found her car vandalized. In the middle of the night, someone painted the words "Whore, Prostitute, Slut" on her car. Other names were also added, but too vile to include here.
In spite of feelings of hurt and anger, Crystal demonstrated a relentless pursuit of God. She was unwilling to allow anyone come in the way of her love of God . . . and her desire to know Him intimately. Many people in Crystal’s position would never set foot in a church again. Could anyone blame her?
With incredible tenacity, Crystal didn’t allow the ignorance of two people to keep her from finding a safe church where she and her children could grow and heal. The transformation in Crystal’s life is nothing short of miraculous! Recently, she wrote...
“Harmony, my family and I are doing well. Thank you for the time you took to talk with me and encourage me. I am now the youth pastor at our church! I also share my story publicly alongside my pastor, with the heart of our message being Treasures and the investment you made in my life. My church is raising funds for Treasures to keep you doing what you do and reaching these girls—the girls you and I once were. Treasures made a huge difference in my life.”
When you partner with Treasures, you help heal and transform women just like Crystal!
Your gift of $25, $50, $100, $200, or even $500 or more will purchase special gift bags, care packages, and Bibles for the women we are reaching.
What better gift can you make as the holidays arrive?
With Love & Gratitude,
Harmony Dust
Founder
PS. Donations can be made at www.iamatreasure.com/donations or mailed to PO # 2013 North Hills, CA 91343-2013
*Names and identifying info has been changed to protect confidentiality.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
The Men of the Industry
The men of the sex industry—the gatekeepers. Strip club owners, managers, bouncers.
Before we can get through the doors to talk to the women, there is always a man standing in our path that we must first get through.
This weekend we returned to the San Fernando Valley, the porn capital of the nation, to bring gifts, hugs, and Jesus’ love to the women working in the strip clubs there. In one night, we encountered so many different gatekeepers as we try to reach the women inside.
Some are friendly, expecting us, glad to see us.
Some are suspicious, taking the gift bags hesitantly.
And some seem ashamed of working in the sex industry. Their eyes plead with us for understanding.
We always bring gifts for the men too, so they will be assured that we haven’t come to judge or to attack. We’ve come to give and to love.
We are women reaching out to women. And yet before God created Eve, He created Adam. And to this day, men still hold the keys to the hearts of so many lives of women.
Over the past several years, one club owner has been unrelenting in his “no”—unwilling to allow us access to the women in his club. At one point he showed us the Darwin fish on the back of his car, to prove that he is an evolutionist. He have always respectfully thanked him for his time and each year we return, praying that God would soften his heart.
This time he asked us if there was anything “religious” in our gift bags. We gave him a bag that he could look through to see the make-up, the jewelry, and the card that reads, “Precious woman, you are loved!” He then clarified, “No… I want to know, if I go to your website, is there anything religious there.” One volunteer, without hesitation, replied, “Yes, you will see the name Jesus.”
Jesus, there is power in the name. We were escorted off the property of that club. But not before the owner heard the name that is above all names. Not before the name was spoken that can bring down all strongholds, that can open prison doors, that can bring the dead to life. Jesus.
As we drove away from that club, we knew that a battle had been won. Jesus came to that man’s doorstep.
Nothing will stop God’s love from getting through to the women inside that club. But Jesus also wants the gatekeeper, He wants that one man. He will not give up on him, just as He doesn’t give up on us.
Written by Larissa for Treasures
www.iamatreasure.com
Before we can get through the doors to talk to the women, there is always a man standing in our path that we must first get through.
This weekend we returned to the San Fernando Valley, the porn capital of the nation, to bring gifts, hugs, and Jesus’ love to the women working in the strip clubs there. In one night, we encountered so many different gatekeepers as we try to reach the women inside.
Some are friendly, expecting us, glad to see us.
Some are suspicious, taking the gift bags hesitantly.
And some seem ashamed of working in the sex industry. Their eyes plead with us for understanding.
We always bring gifts for the men too, so they will be assured that we haven’t come to judge or to attack. We’ve come to give and to love.
We are women reaching out to women. And yet before God created Eve, He created Adam. And to this day, men still hold the keys to the hearts of so many lives of women.
Over the past several years, one club owner has been unrelenting in his “no”—unwilling to allow us access to the women in his club. At one point he showed us the Darwin fish on the back of his car, to prove that he is an evolutionist. He have always respectfully thanked him for his time and each year we return, praying that God would soften his heart.
This time he asked us if there was anything “religious” in our gift bags. We gave him a bag that he could look through to see the make-up, the jewelry, and the card that reads, “Precious woman, you are loved!” He then clarified, “No… I want to know, if I go to your website, is there anything religious there.” One volunteer, without hesitation, replied, “Yes, you will see the name Jesus.”
Jesus, there is power in the name. We were escorted off the property of that club. But not before the owner heard the name that is above all names. Not before the name was spoken that can bring down all strongholds, that can open prison doors, that can bring the dead to life. Jesus.
As we drove away from that club, we knew that a battle had been won. Jesus came to that man’s doorstep.
Nothing will stop God’s love from getting through to the women inside that club. But Jesus also wants the gatekeeper, He wants that one man. He will not give up on him, just as He doesn’t give up on us.
Written by Larissa for Treasures
www.iamatreasure.com
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Be the 1st to read my memoir!
Be the FIRST to read my memoir, Scars & Stilettos!!! See below!
Before you run to the mall & buy your mom another scented candle for Christmas…
Why not give a gift that keeps on giving?
When you purchase our devotional, “Reflections on God Life & Woman”, the darling Treasures T-shirt, or The Diamond Collection, our soulful compilation cd, ALL of the proceeds go to reaching women in the sex industry with the message that they are loved, valued and purposed!
AND! You can be the FIRST to read Harmony’s memoir, Scars & Stilettos! The Treasures store is the ONLY PLACE you can purchase this book before January, 2010! Stock is limited so order your signed copy today! When you buy copies for your friends, you can save from 10-30% off your purchase!
Visit our store for details…. www.iamatreasure.com/store
PS. To request that your signed copy of Scars & Stilettos be personalized, please notate in comment section during check out.
Before you run to the mall & buy your mom another scented candle for Christmas…
Why not give a gift that keeps on giving?
When you purchase our devotional, “Reflections on God Life & Woman”, the darling Treasures T-shirt, or The Diamond Collection, our soulful compilation cd, ALL of the proceeds go to reaching women in the sex industry with the message that they are loved, valued and purposed!
AND! You can be the FIRST to read Harmony’s memoir, Scars & Stilettos! The Treasures store is the ONLY PLACE you can purchase this book before January, 2010! Stock is limited so order your signed copy today! When you buy copies for your friends, you can save from 10-30% off your purchase!
Visit our store for details…. www.iamatreasure.com/store
PS. To request that your signed copy of Scars & Stilettos be personalized, please notate in comment section during check out.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Jesus and the Magic Wand
A Treasure for You: The Treasures E-Devotional
Jesus and the Magic Wand
By Harmony Dust
In the popular story of Cinderella, our heroine goes from handmaid to princess with the wave of a wand. Most of us would say that this sort of transformation belongs in fairytales but, truth be told, many of us are hoping that someone with a magic wand will come along and fix everything that’s wrong with our circumstances.
I have had the opportunity to share my story for a number of media outlets, and time and time again have seen well-meaning producers look for the magic wand in my story. Some have even tried to peg Jesus himself as my own personal fairy godmother…granting my every wish and desire. And while the transformation that has taken place in my heart and life is pretty miraculous (just ask the people who knew me when I had taken up knocking men in the head with my stilettos when they crossed me). I always tell them the same thing, “Healing is most often a process.”
We like the “healing and transformation” part. It’s the “process” part that isn’t always enjoyable. So often we say we want to change, but we end up getting knocked off course by the first wave of difficulty that hits us.
The Gospel of Luke gives an account of the sermon on the mount during which Jesus gives keys on how to live. He addresses everything from giving, fasting, and prayer, to loving people, marriage, and dealing with anger and emotions.
After he finished giving all of this insight and wisdom he says…
I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. Luke 6:47-49
Much of the healing journey consists of the “digging down deep” part this passage refers to. This is where the work comes in. In order to heal and to develop the kind of faith that will withstand the storms of life, we’ve got to do some digging.
I am reminded of a time when the front yard of my childhood home in Venice was filled with crab grass. My mom took my brother and I out there one day with shovels and said it was time for us to uproot it all. She called the crab grass conquering grass, explaining that its roots would choke out any other seed we planted. As long as we let the conquering grass rule our yard, nothing else would be able to grow there.
The same is true with our lives. Some of us are working hard at planting new healthy seeds, but we haven’t uprooted the old stuff. And we wonder why those same old hurts and issues keep rearing their ugly heads in the garden of our lives. Those old, conquering issues are choking out all of our efforts to plant something new.
In order to lay a proper foundation for healing to take place, we have to allow God to dig down deep and uproot the things that are choking our efforts to get well. Abuse, shame from our past, unforgiveness, roots of rejection and abandonment—all need to be removed from the soil of our lives for healing to take place.
Incredible healing and transformation is possible. It’s available. If you have been waiting on Jesus to wave a magic wand over your life and nothing seems to be changing, chances are, He’s handing you a shovel.
Let’s get digging! Let’s get healed!
Love, Harmony
www.iamatreasure.com
Jesus and the Magic Wand
By Harmony Dust
In the popular story of Cinderella, our heroine goes from handmaid to princess with the wave of a wand. Most of us would say that this sort of transformation belongs in fairytales but, truth be told, many of us are hoping that someone with a magic wand will come along and fix everything that’s wrong with our circumstances.
I have had the opportunity to share my story for a number of media outlets, and time and time again have seen well-meaning producers look for the magic wand in my story. Some have even tried to peg Jesus himself as my own personal fairy godmother…granting my every wish and desire. And while the transformation that has taken place in my heart and life is pretty miraculous (just ask the people who knew me when I had taken up knocking men in the head with my stilettos when they crossed me). I always tell them the same thing, “Healing is most often a process.”
We like the “healing and transformation” part. It’s the “process” part that isn’t always enjoyable. So often we say we want to change, but we end up getting knocked off course by the first wave of difficulty that hits us.
The Gospel of Luke gives an account of the sermon on the mount during which Jesus gives keys on how to live. He addresses everything from giving, fasting, and prayer, to loving people, marriage, and dealing with anger and emotions.
After he finished giving all of this insight and wisdom he says…
I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. Luke 6:47-49
Much of the healing journey consists of the “digging down deep” part this passage refers to. This is where the work comes in. In order to heal and to develop the kind of faith that will withstand the storms of life, we’ve got to do some digging.
I am reminded of a time when the front yard of my childhood home in Venice was filled with crab grass. My mom took my brother and I out there one day with shovels and said it was time for us to uproot it all. She called the crab grass conquering grass, explaining that its roots would choke out any other seed we planted. As long as we let the conquering grass rule our yard, nothing else would be able to grow there.
The same is true with our lives. Some of us are working hard at planting new healthy seeds, but we haven’t uprooted the old stuff. And we wonder why those same old hurts and issues keep rearing their ugly heads in the garden of our lives. Those old, conquering issues are choking out all of our efforts to plant something new.
In order to lay a proper foundation for healing to take place, we have to allow God to dig down deep and uproot the things that are choking our efforts to get well. Abuse, shame from our past, unforgiveness, roots of rejection and abandonment—all need to be removed from the soil of our lives for healing to take place.
Incredible healing and transformation is possible. It’s available. If you have been waiting on Jesus to wave a magic wand over your life and nothing seems to be changing, chances are, He’s handing you a shovel.
Let’s get digging! Let’s get healed!
Love, Harmony
www.iamatreasure.com
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
What's in a Name?
What’s in a name?
On Friday night, the Treasures team reached 790 women working in strip clubs in Downtown Los Angeles! Some were your typical razzle-dazzle clubs with bright lights and valet parking, while others were dingy joints tucked away near Skid Row.
790. It’s more than a number. That figure represents women—unique, adored, purposed women—and God knows each of them by name. To be known is one of our deepest human desires. One of the encounters we had during the outreach reflected the depth of this desire.
We walked into a small dressing room where a couple of girls were primping. I handed a gift to a half-dressed young woman who was counting her tips. “What’s this for?” she asked. “A gift for you. Just to let you know you are loved.” I responded.
She cracked a smile as she peered into the little pink bag. “Why are you guys doing this for us?” she continued.
I went on to explain that I had been a dancer too and now we go back into strip clubs to offer encouragement and support to other women working there. “You can call us if you just need someone to talk to or if you ever need any help or resources”. Her eyes welled with tears and she threw her arms around me. I held her for a moment and she said her name is Precious.
“Your name is Precious!? Look at the card in your gift! It was made for you!” I exclaimed pointing to the top of the note addressed: “Precious Woman”.
Seeing her name written on the card, she turned away and began to weep.
How significant it is to be known. Sought out. Called by name.
There is a Love calling each of us by name. He sees all. Knows all. And He loves every bit of you. May we be as overcome by that truth as Precious was.
Love, Harmony & The Treasures Team
P.S…
Harmony will be featured on an episode of Pure Passion TV on Sunday, October 25th.
That's Direct TV #376 & Dish Network #267 at 8 PM (PT). www.PurePassion.us
On Friday night, the Treasures team reached 790 women working in strip clubs in Downtown Los Angeles! Some were your typical razzle-dazzle clubs with bright lights and valet parking, while others were dingy joints tucked away near Skid Row.
790. It’s more than a number. That figure represents women—unique, adored, purposed women—and God knows each of them by name. To be known is one of our deepest human desires. One of the encounters we had during the outreach reflected the depth of this desire.
We walked into a small dressing room where a couple of girls were primping. I handed a gift to a half-dressed young woman who was counting her tips. “What’s this for?” she asked. “A gift for you. Just to let you know you are loved.” I responded.
She cracked a smile as she peered into the little pink bag. “Why are you guys doing this for us?” she continued.
I went on to explain that I had been a dancer too and now we go back into strip clubs to offer encouragement and support to other women working there. “You can call us if you just need someone to talk to or if you ever need any help or resources”. Her eyes welled with tears and she threw her arms around me. I held her for a moment and she said her name is Precious.
“Your name is Precious!? Look at the card in your gift! It was made for you!” I exclaimed pointing to the top of the note addressed: “Precious Woman”.
Seeing her name written on the card, she turned away and began to weep.
How significant it is to be known. Sought out. Called by name.
There is a Love calling each of us by name. He sees all. Knows all. And He loves every bit of you. May we be as overcome by that truth as Precious was.
Love, Harmony & The Treasures Team
P.S…
Harmony will be featured on an episode of Pure Passion TV on Sunday, October 25th.
That's Direct TV #376 & Dish Network #267 at 8 PM (PT). www.PurePassion.us
Friday, October 16, 2009
Roberta Speaks Out...
In the middle of her recovery, Roberta Busby shares her story to help others! Watch the ABC News story below.
Last night, we had the privilege of accompanying Roberta- the survivor of severe burns afflicted in a hate crime- at a Stop the Violence Against Women event where she was a guest of honor.
Our team has been absolutely blessed to walk alongside of Roberta during her healing journey. She is a woman of courage and strength (and great humor) who is not afraid to speak up on behalf of others. We know that this is just the beginning of greater things to come for Roberta. Please continue to pray for her physical and emotional healing and that she would continue to allow God to use what was meant for harm in her life, for good!
ABC Story on Roberta
Love, Harmony & The Treasures Team
Last night, we had the privilege of accompanying Roberta- the survivor of severe burns afflicted in a hate crime- at a Stop the Violence Against Women event where she was a guest of honor.
Our team has been absolutely blessed to walk alongside of Roberta during her healing journey. She is a woman of courage and strength (and great humor) who is not afraid to speak up on behalf of others. We know that this is just the beginning of greater things to come for Roberta. Please continue to pray for her physical and emotional healing and that she would continue to allow God to use what was meant for harm in her life, for good!
ABC Story on Roberta
Love, Harmony & The Treasures Team
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
What's New?
Hey Treasures Friends,
Just wanted to give you a quick update on some exciting things we want YOU to be a part of…
* GodChicks-Night of Pink is happening Oct. 17th! Join us for fun, live music, encouraging stories, tips on how to fight whatever battle you are facing, & an unforgettable after party…
* Harmony will be speaking at a Healthy Sexuality Conference on Oct 18th. The message topic will be “Hiding from True Love: In our pursuit of love, are we actually running from it?”…
For information on these and other events, visit www.iamatreasure.com/events
Also, Treasures will be hosting an ART DAY for the girls we work with. We will provide them with art supplies so they can express their journey through painting. To contribute towards materials, donate online www.iamatreasure.com and write “art day” in the comments.
World Magazine nominates Treasures for the Hope Award! Check out the article they did on us: My favorite part is when the journalist writes: “Dust never stumbles over her words—in fact, she'll finish your sentences for you if you struggle to be articulate.”
I’m not so sure that’s a good thing, but it gave me a hearty laughJ
World Mag Article
Love, Harmony & The Treasures Team
Just wanted to give you a quick update on some exciting things we want YOU to be a part of…
* GodChicks-Night of Pink is happening Oct. 17th! Join us for fun, live music, encouraging stories, tips on how to fight whatever battle you are facing, & an unforgettable after party…
* Harmony will be speaking at a Healthy Sexuality Conference on Oct 18th. The message topic will be “Hiding from True Love: In our pursuit of love, are we actually running from it?”…
For information on these and other events, visit www.iamatreasure.com/events
Also, Treasures will be hosting an ART DAY for the girls we work with. We will provide them with art supplies so they can express their journey through painting. To contribute towards materials, donate online www.iamatreasure.com and write “art day” in the comments.
World Magazine nominates Treasures for the Hope Award! Check out the article they did on us: My favorite part is when the journalist writes: “Dust never stumbles over her words—in fact, she'll finish your sentences for you if you struggle to be articulate.”
I’m not so sure that’s a good thing, but it gave me a hearty laughJ
World Mag Article
Love, Harmony & The Treasures Team
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
One Step...
I have been enamored with my daughter as I watch her learn to walk. Standing on wobbly little legs. Carefully placing one foot in front of the other. And it has occurred to me that she will make the entire journey that way. One foot in front of the other. It never gets more complicated than that. And, so it is for all of us.
This weekend, during our National Strip Club Outreach and Training, we had the honor of training 3 new outreach leaders along with 18 outreach volunteers. I looked around the room at this amazing group of women, hearts filled with passion and love, and I reflected on all that God has done since the conception of Treasures.
Out of the vision God has placed in my heart, hundreds of strip clubs are being reached in 15 cities throughout the US and Canada. I have had the opportunity to share my story with a global audience through media and speaking engagements. We provide resources, prayer and encouragement to hundreds of women and are seeing their lives transformed. None of this has been the product of striving for success or achievement. It has all been the result of steadily and prayerfully placing one foot in front of the other.
I truly believe that God has a purpose for each of us that is greater than we can ask, think, or imagine (Eph 3:20). More freedom and healing than we thought possible. More impact than we ever dreamed of. More of our gifts, experiences, and passion used for good. And sometimes the breadth and scope of what He is calling us to may seem unfathomable. “How on earth will I ever get there?” we ask ourselves.
"Come, follow me". I can hear His voice calling, asking us to walk with Him.
On Saturday night, we followed Him. Into 12 strip clubs in Hollywood. Into dressing rooms and conversations. We saw women touched by our gifts, our hugs, our love, our presence—all extensions of following Him.
Where ever you are, right now, in this moment—no matter how exciting, dreary or daunting the road ahead—I encourage you to fix your eyes on Him and continue to place one foot in front of the other. You can make the entire journey that way.
Love, Harmony & The Treasures Team
PS. For information on how to get involved, visit www.iamatreasure.com/donations and to see a list of Treasures Trained outreaches, visit our resource section
This weekend, during our National Strip Club Outreach and Training, we had the honor of training 3 new outreach leaders along with 18 outreach volunteers. I looked around the room at this amazing group of women, hearts filled with passion and love, and I reflected on all that God has done since the conception of Treasures.
Out of the vision God has placed in my heart, hundreds of strip clubs are being reached in 15 cities throughout the US and Canada. I have had the opportunity to share my story with a global audience through media and speaking engagements. We provide resources, prayer and encouragement to hundreds of women and are seeing their lives transformed. None of this has been the product of striving for success or achievement. It has all been the result of steadily and prayerfully placing one foot in front of the other.
I truly believe that God has a purpose for each of us that is greater than we can ask, think, or imagine (Eph 3:20). More freedom and healing than we thought possible. More impact than we ever dreamed of. More of our gifts, experiences, and passion used for good. And sometimes the breadth and scope of what He is calling us to may seem unfathomable. “How on earth will I ever get there?” we ask ourselves.
"Come, follow me". I can hear His voice calling, asking us to walk with Him.
On Saturday night, we followed Him. Into 12 strip clubs in Hollywood. Into dressing rooms and conversations. We saw women touched by our gifts, our hugs, our love, our presence—all extensions of following Him.
Where ever you are, right now, in this moment—no matter how exciting, dreary or daunting the road ahead—I encourage you to fix your eyes on Him and continue to place one foot in front of the other. You can make the entire journey that way.
Love, Harmony & The Treasures Team
PS. For information on how to get involved, visit www.iamatreasure.com/donations and to see a list of Treasures Trained outreaches, visit our resource section
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Update On Tyra Show Guest!
Check out this update from Beauty From Ashes on Natanee, the girl I was on the Tyra Show with! She is truly a Treasure and an over-comer!
"Remember Natanee, the women involved in prostitution who humbly & transparently went on national TV appealing for help on the Tyra Banks show? The program, 'Troubled Mom Tries to Change', ends leaving the viewer with frustration that the twenty eight year old woman did not want to receive help or leave prostitution.
The truth is that Natanee did change, contrary to the repeated airings of the episode since March of this year. She courageously turned down Tyra's offer of a secular 1 month program to go instead into a faith based, 18 month residential program, the New Life Dream Center here in Fort Myers, FL.
Thanks to Harmony Dust of Treasures, also a guest on the program, who through nothing less than a divine appointment, met Natanee in the lobby the night before the show, Natanee found out about Beauty From Ashes (BFA) and the New Life Dream Center. Natanee shared with Harmony her desperation to get out of commercialized sexual exploitation, a destructive lifestyle she had been forced into as a teenager. Harmony called Pastor Julie Shematz immediately to inquire if we could guarantee her acceptance into the New Life Dream Center. Pastor Gaspar Anastasi, founder of the New Life Dream Center & Julie's senior pastor, approved the unique situation and within minutes after the show finished filming, Harmony received the phone call from Natanee telling her she wanted to go into the 18 month 'God' program not another secular one which Tyra had offered her.
The truth is that Natanee did change, contrary to the repeated airings of the episode since March of this year. She courageously turned down Tyra's offer of a secular 1 month program to go instead into a faith based, 18 month residential program, the New Life Dream Center here in Fort Myers, FL.
Thanks to Harmony Dust of Treasures, also a guest on the program, who through nothing less than a divine appointment, met Natanee in the lobby the night before the show, Natanee found out about Beauty From Ashes (BFA) and the New Life Dream Center. Natanee shared with Harmony her desperation to get out of commercialized sexual exploitation, a destructive lifestyle she had been forced into as a teenager. Harmony called Pastor Julie Shematz immediately to inquire if we could guarantee her acceptance into the New Life Dream Center. Pastor Gaspar Anastasi, founder of the New Life Dream Center & Julie's senior pastor, approved the unique situation and within minutes after the show finished filming, Harmony received the phone call from Natanee telling her she wanted to go into the 18 month 'God' program not another secular one which Tyra had offered her.
We quickly assessed the situation & Natanee was able to change her return flight from NYC to Fort Myers, FL instead of CA & against all odds & numerous potential set backs, she arrived two days later and met Pastor Julie for the first time at the gate of the airport. Julie then took Natanee to enter the program & has maintained a close relationship with her ever since. Tyra's producers were aware of the change of plans from the day Natanee made the decision, yet have refused to tell the viewers the TRUTH about Natanee's courageous steps to commit to long term change.
Multiple phone calls and emails have been made by family & loved ones to advise the show of Natanee's situation. Repeated attempts have been made to leave comments on the Tyra Bank's Show blog after they re-run the program. Sadly, the website moderators have refused to accept the majority of the 'Good News' comments with Natanee's progress and the producers have reportedly said that there is nothing they can do about updating the information. For nearly 6 months, Tyra's bloggers have ripped Natanee apart with their heartless comments about her not wanting to change.
Like the Word of God says, every story sounds good until you hear the other side & finally Natanee's TRUE STORY is revealed! She did want to change and she is more than an over-comer! She not only has changed, she is also now reconciled with her children & family. Natanee is no longer troubled, she has a sound mind and is a godly woman of virtue & dignity. She has embraced her destiny & purpose through the power of the Holy Spirit and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He reached, rescued, restored & is healing her. We simply have been honored to be His hands & feet in the process. It has truly been a team effort and we want to thank every person & organization that has been a part of this beauty from ashes story. Together we are better & are making a difference!
You will be able to listen to Natanee tell what has happened since the Tyra Banks show in her own words on Monday, September 14th @ 6:15pm EST on the God Has the Answer Today Show with Gaspar Anastasi: http://www.kingdom.fm & 91.5 FM Florida.
The program was also recorded & we will have the video available online SOON!"
Isn't that awesome!!!???
If you would like to sow into Natanee's healing journey, you can contribute towards her program costs (which are $760 a month). Donations of any amount are welcome and appreciated. Simply make a donation TODAY at www.iamatreasure.com or mail a check to the address below. Please make sure to note that your contribution is for Natanee. We will gather your contributions and make sure they go directly towards helping Natanee at the New Life Dream Center!
Love, Harmony
Treasures Founder
PO # 2013
North Hills, CA 91343-2013
Isn't that awesome!!!???
If you would like to sow into Natanee's healing journey, you can contribute towards her program costs (which are $760 a month). Donations of any amount are welcome and appreciated. Simply make a donation TODAY at www.iamatreasure.com or mail a check to the address below. Please make sure to note that your contribution is for Natanee. We will gather your contributions and make sure they go directly towards helping Natanee at the New Life Dream Center!
Love, Harmony
Treasures Founder
PO # 2013
North Hills, CA 91343-2013
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
No Place Like Home
This weekend, on what I later realized was the 11-year anniversary of me leaving the sex industry, we had one of the most memorable outreaches EVER.
For starters, we had a young woman go out on her very first outreach since escaping the traffickers who brutally forced her into sex work. We have been walking alongside of her for the past couple of years and Friday night, she was ready to turn her pain into purpose. She was so thankful for the healing and rebuilding that has taken place in her life that she wept with gratitude throughout the night. It was an honor to witness this moment in her journey.
Later that night, at the end of the outreach, we pulled up to the strip club where I used to work. This club is a landmark in so many ways. It was the place where, as a broken 19-year old girl, I first stripped and sold myself to strangers. It is also the place where, years later, a compassionate manager, who felt just as trapped as I did, offered to pray with me that God would help me find a way out of the club. Weeks later, God clearly spoke a message to my heart that gave me the strength to leave—“I am going to take care of you. I will never let you down.” And He hasn’t.
This is also the club I sat outside of wondering if there was any way I could reach the girls still working there. My heart bleeding with prayers, remembering them. As it turns out, there was a way—and a simple message, “Her value is far above rubies and pearls.”
Friday night, on the 11-year anniversary of the weekend I quit, and after 6 1/2 years of visiting that very club, desiring to speak love, value and purpose into the lives of the women working there, we were told that the club would be closing the following day. After 53 years of business, the building will be leveled and turned into an airport parking lot.
This would be my last time at the club. And while many of the clubs we visit allow us to hand-deliver the gift bags to the girls, this particular club received them at the door and never allowed us inside. Something in me would not let me leave. So I asked the manager if he would let us in, just so that I could say a proper “goodbye”. And for the first time, since we have been doing outreach, I walked into the club.
It felt as though I entered a time warp. Aside from some wooden stalls they built for more private “lap dances”, nothing had changed. Even much of the staff was the same. Some of them said that they were happy the club was closing—that they finally had a reason to leave the industry. One woman who had been there 25 years said that she WOULD HAVE DIED IN THAT CLUB if it didn’t shut down. Others were not as glad to hear the news. They didn’t know where or if they would be able to find work. We were able to tell them about some of the resources we have.
As I walked in, a young woman threw her arms around me saying, “I have always wanted to meet the girls who have been bringing us gifts. For 6 years we have looked forward to these gifts. Nobody EVER gave us anything or did anything nice for us. You were the only ones who cared." She brought out her camera to take pictures with us and cried like we were long lost sisters.
We spent some time in the dressing room, talking to the girls about their plans for the future. It was the same dressing room where, piece by piece, I sold my outfits on the night I quit, knowing there was no turning back. These women too are at such a pivotal moment in their lives and we hope they will take us up on our offer for support.
Where many clubs have high turnover rates, this particular club seems to keep the employees they hire. Many of the girls reported that this was the first and only club they had ever worked at. And after several years, it was all they knew.
One woman told a volunteer, “This is the only home I have ever known…and there’s no place like home.”
This statement struck me because I can remember a time when the strip club was the only home I knew. I can remember a time when I had become so familiar with being sexualized and objectified that it was comfortable to me. So comfortable, it was almost comforting.
And “home” is exactly what I found on the day I walked into the Oasis, my church. “I am finally home” were the words that came to my heart. I could feel my Loving Father, with His hands outstretched, welcoming me.
We hope and pray that each of these women will discover a home—a refuge—unlike any they have known. And that the closing of this club will mark a new beginning in their lives. That they will come to know that they are loved, valued and purposed and that this revelation would penetrate every corner of their hearts and lives! Here's to new beginnings!
With Love,
Harmony Dust
www.iamatreasure.com
For starters, we had a young woman go out on her very first outreach since escaping the traffickers who brutally forced her into sex work. We have been walking alongside of her for the past couple of years and Friday night, she was ready to turn her pain into purpose. She was so thankful for the healing and rebuilding that has taken place in her life that she wept with gratitude throughout the night. It was an honor to witness this moment in her journey.
Later that night, at the end of the outreach, we pulled up to the strip club where I used to work. This club is a landmark in so many ways. It was the place where, as a broken 19-year old girl, I first stripped and sold myself to strangers. It is also the place where, years later, a compassionate manager, who felt just as trapped as I did, offered to pray with me that God would help me find a way out of the club. Weeks later, God clearly spoke a message to my heart that gave me the strength to leave—“I am going to take care of you. I will never let you down.” And He hasn’t.
This is also the club I sat outside of wondering if there was any way I could reach the girls still working there. My heart bleeding with prayers, remembering them. As it turns out, there was a way—and a simple message, “Her value is far above rubies and pearls.”
Friday night, on the 11-year anniversary of the weekend I quit, and after 6 1/2 years of visiting that very club, desiring to speak love, value and purpose into the lives of the women working there, we were told that the club would be closing the following day. After 53 years of business, the building will be leveled and turned into an airport parking lot.
This would be my last time at the club. And while many of the clubs we visit allow us to hand-deliver the gift bags to the girls, this particular club received them at the door and never allowed us inside. Something in me would not let me leave. So I asked the manager if he would let us in, just so that I could say a proper “goodbye”. And for the first time, since we have been doing outreach, I walked into the club.
It felt as though I entered a time warp. Aside from some wooden stalls they built for more private “lap dances”, nothing had changed. Even much of the staff was the same. Some of them said that they were happy the club was closing—that they finally had a reason to leave the industry. One woman who had been there 25 years said that she WOULD HAVE DIED IN THAT CLUB if it didn’t shut down. Others were not as glad to hear the news. They didn’t know where or if they would be able to find work. We were able to tell them about some of the resources we have.
As I walked in, a young woman threw her arms around me saying, “I have always wanted to meet the girls who have been bringing us gifts. For 6 years we have looked forward to these gifts. Nobody EVER gave us anything or did anything nice for us. You were the only ones who cared." She brought out her camera to take pictures with us and cried like we were long lost sisters.
We spent some time in the dressing room, talking to the girls about their plans for the future. It was the same dressing room where, piece by piece, I sold my outfits on the night I quit, knowing there was no turning back. These women too are at such a pivotal moment in their lives and we hope they will take us up on our offer for support.
Where many clubs have high turnover rates, this particular club seems to keep the employees they hire. Many of the girls reported that this was the first and only club they had ever worked at. And after several years, it was all they knew.
One woman told a volunteer, “This is the only home I have ever known…and there’s no place like home.”
This statement struck me because I can remember a time when the strip club was the only home I knew. I can remember a time when I had become so familiar with being sexualized and objectified that it was comfortable to me. So comfortable, it was almost comforting.
And “home” is exactly what I found on the day I walked into the Oasis, my church. “I am finally home” were the words that came to my heart. I could feel my Loving Father, with His hands outstretched, welcoming me.
We hope and pray that each of these women will discover a home—a refuge—unlike any they have known. And that the closing of this club will mark a new beginning in their lives. That they will come to know that they are loved, valued and purposed and that this revelation would penetrate every corner of their hearts and lives! Here's to new beginnings!
With Love,
Harmony Dust
www.iamatreasure.com
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Where Does it Hurt
Where Does it Hurt?
The other day, my 1-year-old took her first tumble in the bathtub. After hitting her chin on the side of the tub, she slipped face-first into the water. I quickly swept her to her feet and began to examine her for injuries. She looked me directly in the eyes and cried at the top of her lungs. She wanted to know one thing, “Am I going to be okay?”
After finding no blood, bumps, or bruises, I held her in my arms and answered her question. “That was so scary but you are going to be okay, darling. Mommy is right here.” Within moments she quieted and went right back to playing with her bath toys.
Pain can be good. It tells us that something is wrong—that there is something that needs to be addressed.
I realized that my daughter’s response to her pain and fear was actually very healthy. She turned to me, her caregiver, and allowed me to assess her injury and give her comfort. It got me thinking about how I handle pain. Do I always go to God, my loving caregiver, and allow Him to assess my injury? To tell me if there is a wound that needs tending to?
The following day, I found myself hitting a wall. How many of you know that walls can hurt? So I came up with a solution: “I need a freaking piece of chocolate,” I said out loud. The chocolate tasted great, but it didn’t solve the issue. My prescription for the pain was insufficient.
In that moment, I could hear God whisper to my heart, “Come to me…Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”. In that moment, what I needed was the loving presence of my Caregiver, my Loving Father. I needed to spend some time with God and allow Him to assess my hurts. Like my daughter after her fall in the bath, I just needed God to tell me that I was in fact, going to be okay. It was an instance in which I just needed some perspective.
But sometimes our pain is an indication of an actual injury that needs tending. Perhaps an unhealed hurt, or a root of unforgiveness or rejection. We are walking wounded, trying to pretend that all is well—stuffing our faces with chocolate, our appointment books with activities, our minds with television. But these things can only offer temporary relief from the symptoms of our pain. They do not heal our injuries. We again find that our prescriptions for the pain are insufficient.
And there comes a point when our prescriptions for the pain can actually bring more pain. A point when they go from being insufficient, to destructive. It is when the chocolate becomes binge eating and excess weight that jeopardizes our health. When the pain of our loneliness causes us to look for connection in affairs and meaningless sex that jeopardize our families and our hearts. It’s when social drinking turns to drunken stupors, hangovers and missed work.
There comes a time when our prescription for the pain becomes our addiction. We are chasing after what we think we need when only one thing can satisfy.
God has a cure. He says, “Come to me” for “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Ps 147:3). In the arms of our Loving Caregiver, there is rest. There is safety. There is comfort. There is healing.
Written by Harmony Dust for Treasures
www.iamatreasure.com
The other day, my 1-year-old took her first tumble in the bathtub. After hitting her chin on the side of the tub, she slipped face-first into the water. I quickly swept her to her feet and began to examine her for injuries. She looked me directly in the eyes and cried at the top of her lungs. She wanted to know one thing, “Am I going to be okay?”
After finding no blood, bumps, or bruises, I held her in my arms and answered her question. “That was so scary but you are going to be okay, darling. Mommy is right here.” Within moments she quieted and went right back to playing with her bath toys.
Pain can be good. It tells us that something is wrong—that there is something that needs to be addressed.
I realized that my daughter’s response to her pain and fear was actually very healthy. She turned to me, her caregiver, and allowed me to assess her injury and give her comfort. It got me thinking about how I handle pain. Do I always go to God, my loving caregiver, and allow Him to assess my injury? To tell me if there is a wound that needs tending to?
The following day, I found myself hitting a wall. How many of you know that walls can hurt? So I came up with a solution: “I need a freaking piece of chocolate,” I said out loud. The chocolate tasted great, but it didn’t solve the issue. My prescription for the pain was insufficient.
In that moment, I could hear God whisper to my heart, “Come to me…Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”. In that moment, what I needed was the loving presence of my Caregiver, my Loving Father. I needed to spend some time with God and allow Him to assess my hurts. Like my daughter after her fall in the bath, I just needed God to tell me that I was in fact, going to be okay. It was an instance in which I just needed some perspective.
But sometimes our pain is an indication of an actual injury that needs tending. Perhaps an unhealed hurt, or a root of unforgiveness or rejection. We are walking wounded, trying to pretend that all is well—stuffing our faces with chocolate, our appointment books with activities, our minds with television. But these things can only offer temporary relief from the symptoms of our pain. They do not heal our injuries. We again find that our prescriptions for the pain are insufficient.
And there comes a point when our prescriptions for the pain can actually bring more pain. A point when they go from being insufficient, to destructive. It is when the chocolate becomes binge eating and excess weight that jeopardizes our health. When the pain of our loneliness causes us to look for connection in affairs and meaningless sex that jeopardize our families and our hearts. It’s when social drinking turns to drunken stupors, hangovers and missed work.
There comes a time when our prescription for the pain becomes our addiction. We are chasing after what we think we need when only one thing can satisfy.
God has a cure. He says, “Come to me” for “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Ps 147:3). In the arms of our Loving Caregiver, there is rest. There is safety. There is comfort. There is healing.
Written by Harmony Dust for Treasures
www.iamatreasure.com
Monday, August 3, 2009
I hear you...
My good friend Ashley wrote this beautiful poem and I thought you might like it.... Love, Harmony
I HEAR YOU...
Frustration threatens, calls to me, wants to know more than my name! It wants to call me home.
They're all the same.
Suffering, disease, pain, fame.
Calling, calling, calling my name.
Pressure intensifies but I know you’re here… Familiar with my ways, whispering my name, yesterday, today, always the same.
I hear You. I hear You when salt water travels like a creek down the creases of my cheek, collecting, connecting like oceans in my collarbones. I hear You. I hear You.
Disease and death hovering, looming, sea green swampland devils, cooing, luring, consuming, but I hear You, I hear You. Gently, firmly, "You will not drown. Daughter, son, You will not drown" I hear You. I hear You.
Burnt orange and rust colored flames sweeping the land. Red roasting fire of perverted passion rushing gushing, stealing what's left of innocence, ransacking the sacred and holy, raping not just the body, but the soul. But I hear You. I hear You.
Restoring God. Redeemer, Glorious Healer, Magnificent Master, Ferocious Father, Righteous King, Living Word, Great I Am, Alpha and Omega, Beginning and The End.
It is finished, You said. And I hear You. In joy and in pain, we believe You for the day when children are not soldiers, when humans are not trafficked, when cancer will not ravish bones and bodies, when loneliness is not our companion, when poverty and injustice does not reign. We hear You. We wait. We wait with joyful expectation for the day when we see You face to face, when we stand before You in love and longing finally fulfilled.
Holy, Holy, Holy are You lord god almighty! You are the one who was and is and is to come. In light of eternity, I hear You. Let the spirit and the Bride say Come.
Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Come Lord, Come.
Written by Ashley Dodson for Treasures
www.iamatreasure.com
I HEAR YOU...
Frustration threatens, calls to me, wants to know more than my name! It wants to call me home.
They're all the same.
Suffering, disease, pain, fame.
Calling, calling, calling my name.
Pressure intensifies but I know you’re here… Familiar with my ways, whispering my name, yesterday, today, always the same.
I hear You. I hear You when salt water travels like a creek down the creases of my cheek, collecting, connecting like oceans in my collarbones. I hear You. I hear You.
Disease and death hovering, looming, sea green swampland devils, cooing, luring, consuming, but I hear You, I hear You. Gently, firmly, "You will not drown. Daughter, son, You will not drown" I hear You. I hear You.
Burnt orange and rust colored flames sweeping the land. Red roasting fire of perverted passion rushing gushing, stealing what's left of innocence, ransacking the sacred and holy, raping not just the body, but the soul. But I hear You. I hear You.
Restoring God. Redeemer, Glorious Healer, Magnificent Master, Ferocious Father, Righteous King, Living Word, Great I Am, Alpha and Omega, Beginning and The End.
It is finished, You said. And I hear You. In joy and in pain, we believe You for the day when children are not soldiers, when humans are not trafficked, when cancer will not ravish bones and bodies, when loneliness is not our companion, when poverty and injustice does not reign. We hear You. We wait. We wait with joyful expectation for the day when we see You face to face, when we stand before You in love and longing finally fulfilled.
Holy, Holy, Holy are You lord god almighty! You are the one who was and is and is to come. In light of eternity, I hear You. Let the spirit and the Bride say Come.
Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Come Lord, Come.
Written by Ashley Dodson for Treasures
www.iamatreasure.com
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Love Overflows
Hey friends,
Just wanted to let you know that we had an awesome outreach in Long Beach where a handful of clubs that seemed weary of us in the past, welcomed us with open arms! At one club, we received 2 rounds of hugs from a girl who was moved by the very gesture of our giving her a gift. "There is something very special about you-you're so generous. There has to be something special about anybody who would come in here and give us gifts like this." We know that it is out of the abundant overflow of love that we have received that you are I are able to give. She said that she is going to contact us and we are looking forward to the opportunity to tell her more about the relentless love God has for her.
This love has not only been evident in the outreach we do here in Los Angeles, but in and among the 15 or so ministries we have had the opportunity to train throughout the nation. To read the letter a club owner in Kansas wrote to a Treasures trained outreach, check out this blog: http://donniemiller.blogspot.com/
UPDATES
- We have just added a NEW STORY to the Treasures site! To read about how Dave overcame addiction to sex, crack and life in the porn industry, check out www.iamatreasure.com/ourstories
- If you are in the LA area, we would love to have you join us for our gift bag assembly on 8/15. Check out www.iamatreasure.com/events for details.
Thank you!
Harmony Dust & The Treasures Team
Monday, July 13, 2009
Wanna Get More Involved?
WANNA GET MORE INVOLVED WITH TREASURES?
We would love to have you! Here are some ideas….
- PRAY FOR OUR OUTREACH THIS FRIDAY
- HELP ASSEMBLE GIFT BAGS: August 15th, at Oasis in LA, 10am.
- JOIN THE PRAYER TEAM: Application available online.
- START AN OUTREACH
- BECOME A MONTHLY PARTNER
- WRITE DEVOTIONALS: 500 words or less. Email to harmony@iamatreasure.com
- SHARE YOUR STORY: Men and Women with stories of hope and redemption. 1,000 words email with picture to harmony@iamatreasure.com
- SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER
HELP WITH CURRENT NEEDS:
- New COSMETICS and JEWERLY for the gift bags (please mail by August 5th)
- Beautiful STATIONARY and blank GREETING CARDS (for letters to the girls)
- STAMPS
- DISNEYLAND PASSES for an upcoming trip with the children of an ex-dancer who was severely burned.
- GIFT CARDS: Target, grocery and gas cards (to assist women with transitioning out of the industry)
For more information on simple ways you can support Treasures, visit www.iamatreasure.com
Donations and gifts in kind can be mailed to:
Treasures
PO Box 2013
North Hills, CA 91343
Love, harmony
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Surrendering the Canvas: Understanding Sex Addiction
40 million adults in the U.S. regularly visit pornographic websites and 1/3 of these visitors are women. The question is “Why, and what does it have to do with us?”
What I am learning about sex addiction in its various forms is that it is about avoiding relational pain. Real relationships and intimacy force us to engage with people on a level where our hearts are open. This sort of intimacy is scary...especially for those that have been hurt. So people turn to fantasy and sex because when you are in fantasy, you can control the objects of your desire without risking relational pain. When you objectify someone by turning them into a fantasy in your head, you can control them. They can’t hurt you because they are not real humans…they are objects.
Even reflecting on my own past, I can see that engaging in sex work was largely about sexualizing my pain. I had been raped and abused and learned that intimacy=pain. Stripping offered me a false sense of empowerment and temporary relief from the pain I was suffering. I could pretend that I was in control and as long as I was in control, I could avoid the pain that true intimacy and relationship might bring.
Many people have a difficult time relating to the plight of the sex addict. But I would suggest that if we are honest enough to examine our own hearts, we might find some similarities. Most people spend time imagining what their life will look like. We paint a canvas in our heads of our marriages, careers, friendships etc. What happens when our expectations are shattered by life’s disappointment? Perhaps by the death of a loved one, the breakdown of a marriage or the loss of a career. How do we respond? Do get angry towards God and respond in bitterness? Or, are we willing to engage in true relationship with our Creator and surrender the canvas of our lives to Him. I too have painted a canvas of what my life would look like, but I have discovered that my canvas may not be consistent with the ultimate canvas that God is painting for me.
Are we willing to trust that He is good, and that His plans are good, even when they don’t look like the picture we have painted? If we cling more tightly to the canvas we have painted in our heads, than we cling to God, we too are trapped by fantasy.
Isaiah 42:16-17 says the following:
I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. But those who trust in idols, who say to graven images, 'You are our gods,’ will be turned back in utter shame.
Fantasy is idolatry. It is putting trust in a graven image carved out by our minds. It is much easier to place our trust in something we can see and control, then to place it in a God we cannot see and cannot control.
True relationship and intimacy can be scary. Healing can be scary. These things require trust and courage to walk with God along unfamiliar paths by ways we have not imagined. But God, our God, wants to take us on this journey. He will make our rough places smooth and bring light where there is none.
We must allow God’s floodlight to penetrate our hearts, exposing the true source of pain so that healing can take place. Only then will we be able to see clearly what has propelled us to escape in fantasy. Only then will be able to surrender the canvas of our lives to a good God, knowing that He can do exceedingly, abundantly above all we can ask think or imagine!
Love, Harmony
www.iamatreasure.com
PS. I highly recommend the book “False Intimacy: Understanding the Struggle of Sexual Addiction” by Schaumburg.
What I am learning about sex addiction in its various forms is that it is about avoiding relational pain. Real relationships and intimacy force us to engage with people on a level where our hearts are open. This sort of intimacy is scary...especially for those that have been hurt. So people turn to fantasy and sex because when you are in fantasy, you can control the objects of your desire without risking relational pain. When you objectify someone by turning them into a fantasy in your head, you can control them. They can’t hurt you because they are not real humans…they are objects.
Even reflecting on my own past, I can see that engaging in sex work was largely about sexualizing my pain. I had been raped and abused and learned that intimacy=pain. Stripping offered me a false sense of empowerment and temporary relief from the pain I was suffering. I could pretend that I was in control and as long as I was in control, I could avoid the pain that true intimacy and relationship might bring.
Many people have a difficult time relating to the plight of the sex addict. But I would suggest that if we are honest enough to examine our own hearts, we might find some similarities. Most people spend time imagining what their life will look like. We paint a canvas in our heads of our marriages, careers, friendships etc. What happens when our expectations are shattered by life’s disappointment? Perhaps by the death of a loved one, the breakdown of a marriage or the loss of a career. How do we respond? Do get angry towards God and respond in bitterness? Or, are we willing to engage in true relationship with our Creator and surrender the canvas of our lives to Him. I too have painted a canvas of what my life would look like, but I have discovered that my canvas may not be consistent with the ultimate canvas that God is painting for me.
Are we willing to trust that He is good, and that His plans are good, even when they don’t look like the picture we have painted? If we cling more tightly to the canvas we have painted in our heads, than we cling to God, we too are trapped by fantasy.
Isaiah 42:16-17 says the following:
I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. But those who trust in idols, who say to graven images, 'You are our gods,’ will be turned back in utter shame.
Fantasy is idolatry. It is putting trust in a graven image carved out by our minds. It is much easier to place our trust in something we can see and control, then to place it in a God we cannot see and cannot control.
True relationship and intimacy can be scary. Healing can be scary. These things require trust and courage to walk with God along unfamiliar paths by ways we have not imagined. But God, our God, wants to take us on this journey. He will make our rough places smooth and bring light where there is none.
We must allow God’s floodlight to penetrate our hearts, exposing the true source of pain so that healing can take place. Only then will we be able to see clearly what has propelled us to escape in fantasy. Only then will be able to surrender the canvas of our lives to a good God, knowing that He can do exceedingly, abundantly above all we can ask think or imagine!
Love, Harmony
www.iamatreasure.com
PS. I highly recommend the book “False Intimacy: Understanding the Struggle of Sexual Addiction” by Schaumburg.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Healing Journey
My Healing Journey
by Harmony Dust
by Harmony Dust
Every journey is different. Every time Jesus healed someone in the bible he did it differently. And so it is with us. There is no secret formula for healing, but I believe that there are steps that we can take and choices we can make that will strength to our lives. Here are just a few of the things that I discovered on my own healing journey.
Relate
There is no substitute for a real and honest relationship with God. He is Lord over my life and so much more. Through reading His word, praying and simply spending time being quiet and still with Him, I have come to know Him as Father, Friend, Comforter, Healer, Redeemer, Provider, and the Lover of my soul. He is not a distant God, sitting in some far off place judging you and me. He is a God of mercy, grace and compassion. He is Immanuel, God who is with us.
Plant
We are not meant to do life alone. Humans are relational beings designed for community. A tree cannot grow unless it is planted, and I strongly believe that my life would not bear the fruit it has if I had not been planted in my church. I am not talking about simply doing the Christian duty of sitting through a Sunday service. I believe that the local church plays an irreplaceable role on this planet. When the local church is healthy, it is a place where people can come to worship, learn, grow, and experience healing, grace, mercy and the unconditional love of God. It is where I have built some of my most meaningful and flourishing relationships with people who know me—imperfections and all—and love me anyway.Decide
In the bible (John 5), we read the story of a man, lying on a mat, who had been disabled for 38 years. Jesus asks him a question: “Do you want to get well?” At that point, the man starts coming up with excuses, saying that nobody would help him and every time he tried to get better, somebody got in his way. Ultimately, Jesus instructs the man to “take up his mat and walk”. He follows this instruction and is healed.I believe that Jesus is asking you and I the same question. Do you want to get well? Sometimes we think we want to get better, but when it comes down to it, we have a million excuses as to why we can’t. We become comfortable with our condition and content to remain paralyzed on our mats.
Ultimately, the decision is in our hands. Nobody can want it for us. God can’t force it on us. We must decide to get well.
Replace
Eleven years ago, I believed a lot of lies. They were so woven into the fabric of my being that they became my personal truth. I believed that I was worthless, stupid, and unlovable. My life reflected what I thought to be true because I made choices based on those deep and hidden beliefs.
The bible tells us to “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). It also says that we are to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).
There is a process of transformation that requires action on our part. It is up to us to actively replace the lies we believe with truth. (See Appendix B)
Face
In my own journey, I have had to face some big giants: Sexual abuse, rape, father issues, fear, rejection, abandonment, unforgiveness, and bitterness to name a few. To rattle them off in a list like this is easy, but to actually face each of these head on was been a battle. I can distinctly remember fighting though Los Angeles traffic to make the 1 1/2 hour commute to see my therapist where I had to pay upwards of $60 an hour to face some of my giants. I would much rather have been sitting on my couch eating chocolate ice cream watching reruns of Seinfeld. But if I wanted to walk in the fullness of God’s promises for my life, there were giants to be faced. Sometimes I felt like David—like I was facing a seasoned combatant with weapons as puny as a sling and a stone. But during those times I learned that like David, God has given me the tools I need to face the giants in my life, and that I never have to face them on my own.
Forgive
I used to think that some things were simply unforgivable—rape and murder among them. I felt completely justified in hating the ex-boyfriend who raped me. To forgive him seemed to mean that what he did was okay and it wasn’t.Eventually, I learned that forgiveness is a vertical transaction between me and God, not a horizontal one between me and another human. God has forgiven me and He asks me to forgive others.
I have heard it said that forgiveness is setting someone free and realizing the prisoner was you. At first I forgave out of obedience, but when I finally forgave, I realized that I was the one being held captive by my unforgiveness. The people that have hurt me were living their lives, going about their merry way, while I was seething with anger, hurt and bitterness. Unforgiveness was holding me prisoner.
Stay
The journey is never over so be gracious with yourself and stay committed to the course. We are all in a process of becoming—becoming healed, becoming whole, becoming closer to God, and becoming all that we are created to be.God is a gentleman. He never forces us to change or gives us more than we can bear. He walks us through this process one step at a time. In His strength we are able to face our giants one by one.
I could apply 110 steps to healing and read a zillion self-help books, but what I am able to accomplish on my own pales in comparison to what can happen when I invite the transforming, gracious and redeeming power of God into my life. His love transcends knowledge, reason, and human effort.
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations,
for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:17-21
for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:17-21
What do you believe is standing in the way of your healing? Which of these steps might God be asking you to take today? Comment below...
*To order the Healing Journey cd, or other resources for healing, visit www.iamatreasure.com/store
*To order the Healing Journey cd, or other resources for healing, visit www.iamatreasure.com/store
Monday, June 15, 2009
Porn Convention Update
This weekend, the Treasures team partnered with Craig Gross and XXX Church at the LA Erotica Convention. If you missed out on our instant updates, make sure to follow me on Twitter @youareatreasure
In addition to giving Treasures gift bags to the girls, in all, we gave out over 4,000 “Jesus loves porn star” bibles to convention attendees and men and women in the industry. And as Craig noted throughout the weekend, God’s word will not return void. We are praying that people would be inspired to read the bibles they received and that God’s love and truth would penetrate their hearts!
We saw firsthand, how moving and powerful God’s word truly is. A Treasures volunteer witnessed a special moment when a grown man sitting on a staircase, cradled the bible (which he kept referring to as “this book”) in his hands with tears in his eyes. He was reading God’s word in the middle of a porn convention, perhaps for the first time, and he was visibly moved.
“Jesus is here? At a porn convention…” one girl asked after telling me how horrible the “preachers” standing outside with picket signs had made her feel. Knowing Immanuel, God who is with us, I confidently said, “Yes. He is here, at a porn convention. He is with us.” I could see in this woman’s eyes that this was an entirely new concept to her and the idea that God would meet her there in such a place, seemed to disarm her. Isn’t’ that our God though? Meeting us where we are at, in the middle of our circumstances, and loving us right there, as is. It is this sort of love and goodness that leads to transformation and healing.
Still, there were so many people at the convention who have experienced the opposite of that kind of love. From an ex-reverend who professed to being almost atheist, to a ex-seminary student, to a husband and wife that had been kicked out of their church, to the daughters of pastors, to a woman who had been raped by a pastor and a man who had been raped by a priest. We saw people with real hurts and heartbreak so deep that it has caused them to run from the Only One who can heal that sort of pain. I wonder about the depth and severity of the wounds in their hearts and all I can do is pray. The common thread among all of these people is that they have been hurt, not by God, but by His people.
And, as a friend of Treasures recently posted on my Facebook page, “if I call myself a Christ-follower and treat others like garbage, it is completely reasonable for others to question the positive value of following Jesus because I am telling them by my life that Jesus is unloving, unkind, uncaring, etc. God uses people as an avenue for Him to come to us. I would suggest that God uses people as His most common method of getting in touch with us (with the Holy Spirit being intimately involved in that process).”
I love that idea that WE ARE AVENUES. By our actions and the way we love people, we can either lead people closer to the heart of God, or farther from Him. May we each honestly and carefully examine our own actions and determine where we want our avenues-our lives- to lead people.
Love, Harmony
www.iamatreasure.com
In addition to giving Treasures gift bags to the girls, in all, we gave out over 4,000 “Jesus loves porn star” bibles to convention attendees and men and women in the industry. And as Craig noted throughout the weekend, God’s word will not return void. We are praying that people would be inspired to read the bibles they received and that God’s love and truth would penetrate their hearts!
We saw firsthand, how moving and powerful God’s word truly is. A Treasures volunteer witnessed a special moment when a grown man sitting on a staircase, cradled the bible (which he kept referring to as “this book”) in his hands with tears in his eyes. He was reading God’s word in the middle of a porn convention, perhaps for the first time, and he was visibly moved.
“Jesus is here? At a porn convention…” one girl asked after telling me how horrible the “preachers” standing outside with picket signs had made her feel. Knowing Immanuel, God who is with us, I confidently said, “Yes. He is here, at a porn convention. He is with us.” I could see in this woman’s eyes that this was an entirely new concept to her and the idea that God would meet her there in such a place, seemed to disarm her. Isn’t’ that our God though? Meeting us where we are at, in the middle of our circumstances, and loving us right there, as is. It is this sort of love and goodness that leads to transformation and healing.
Still, there were so many people at the convention who have experienced the opposite of that kind of love. From an ex-reverend who professed to being almost atheist, to a ex-seminary student, to a husband and wife that had been kicked out of their church, to the daughters of pastors, to a woman who had been raped by a pastor and a man who had been raped by a priest. We saw people with real hurts and heartbreak so deep that it has caused them to run from the Only One who can heal that sort of pain. I wonder about the depth and severity of the wounds in their hearts and all I can do is pray. The common thread among all of these people is that they have been hurt, not by God, but by His people.
And, as a friend of Treasures recently posted on my Facebook page, “if I call myself a Christ-follower and treat others like garbage, it is completely reasonable for others to question the positive value of following Jesus because I am telling them by my life that Jesus is unloving, unkind, uncaring, etc. God uses people as an avenue for Him to come to us. I would suggest that God uses people as His most common method of getting in touch with us (with the Holy Spirit being intimately involved in that process).”
I love that idea that WE ARE AVENUES. By our actions and the way we love people, we can either lead people closer to the heart of God, or farther from Him. May we each honestly and carefully examine our own actions and determine where we want our avenues-our lives- to lead people.
Love, Harmony
www.iamatreasure.com
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
A Legacy of Relationship...
Many of you may remember hearing about and praying for Tiffanie and her battle with cancer. It is with great sadness that I share this…Tiffanie passed away last night at UCLA Hospital.
Tiffanie served briefly on the Treasures outreach team and she has freely shared her story and the beautiful things that God has done in her for the benefit of others. “I am a living example of someone who has been saved from the enemy’s tight grip.” she wrote in 2005.
When she was initially diagnosed with cancer, I went to visit her in the hospital where she was surrounded by family and friends. Her closest girlfriends were preparing to have a fun-filled, “Girls Night Out” right there in the hospital room.
As she battled cancer and fought for her life, she was not alone. Her friends and family rallied around her. There were strong women of God, “Warrior Chicks” standing with her, fighting on her behalf. She was surrounded by immense love and support.
Tiffanie was rich with friendship and community. It was clear to me that she was a woman who valued and invested in relationship. This was most evident in her relationship with God. Those who love her attest that she was a woman of strong faith until her very last breath. She lived abundantly. She lived well.
As we remember Tiffanie and pray for God to comfort her friends and family as they grieve, let us glean from the legacy of relationship she leaves behind. When the storms of life come, and they do, I hope and pray that each of us will have invested well—in our faith in God, in community, in family and friendship—and that we too will live abundantly and well. Let us carry on Tiffanie’s legacy and invest in the things that matter.
Love, Harmony Dust
Tiffanie served briefly on the Treasures outreach team and she has freely shared her story and the beautiful things that God has done in her for the benefit of others. “I am a living example of someone who has been saved from the enemy’s tight grip.” she wrote in 2005.
When she was initially diagnosed with cancer, I went to visit her in the hospital where she was surrounded by family and friends. Her closest girlfriends were preparing to have a fun-filled, “Girls Night Out” right there in the hospital room.
As she battled cancer and fought for her life, she was not alone. Her friends and family rallied around her. There were strong women of God, “Warrior Chicks” standing with her, fighting on her behalf. She was surrounded by immense love and support.
Tiffanie was rich with friendship and community. It was clear to me that she was a woman who valued and invested in relationship. This was most evident in her relationship with God. Those who love her attest that she was a woman of strong faith until her very last breath. She lived abundantly. She lived well.
As we remember Tiffanie and pray for God to comfort her friends and family as they grieve, let us glean from the legacy of relationship she leaves behind. When the storms of life come, and they do, I hope and pray that each of us will have invested well—in our faith in God, in community, in family and friendship—and that we too will live abundantly and well. Let us carry on Tiffanie’s legacy and invest in the things that matter.
Love, Harmony Dust
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Incredible Update on the Tyra Show Guest!
For those of you that have watched, (or are about to watch) the Tyra Show today, here is an update on the amazing woman you all saw on the show.
The night before the taping, I "just so happened" to bump into her in the hotel lobby. We spent some really special time talking and praying together. I was won over by her tenacious spirit and her heart's cry to leave a life of prostitution behind. I could truly identify with so much of her pain.
On the show, she agreed to go to a one-month program in CA and we were all happy for the bold steps she was taking in her life.
After the cameras stopped rolling, more of this incredible story unfolded. I was at the airport, getting ready to head back to LA when she called me, saying that she felt a strong connection with me. She said really wanted to go to a faith-based program and asked if I knew of any other residential programs that could take her.
I immediately called my friend Julie with Beauty From Ashes and we were able to secure her a spot at the New Life Center there in FL!!!! This is a long-term, faith-based residential program with an 100% success rate of reuniting children with their mothers when custody has been lost.
I am so thrilled to report that today, more than a month later, this incredible young woman is still in the program and thriving! The journey ahead of her will take commitment, but I am fully convinced that she is equipped, ready and able to conquer what lies ahead of her in God's strength! I know that He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we can ask, think or imagine!
Love, harmony
www.iamatreasure.com
The night before the taping, I "just so happened" to bump into her in the hotel lobby. We spent some really special time talking and praying together. I was won over by her tenacious spirit and her heart's cry to leave a life of prostitution behind. I could truly identify with so much of her pain.
On the show, she agreed to go to a one-month program in CA and we were all happy for the bold steps she was taking in her life.
After the cameras stopped rolling, more of this incredible story unfolded. I was at the airport, getting ready to head back to LA when she called me, saying that she felt a strong connection with me. She said really wanted to go to a faith-based program and asked if I knew of any other residential programs that could take her.
I immediately called my friend Julie with Beauty From Ashes and we were able to secure her a spot at the New Life Center there in FL!!!! This is a long-term, faith-based residential program with an 100% success rate of reuniting children with their mothers when custody has been lost.
I am so thrilled to report that today, more than a month later, this incredible young woman is still in the program and thriving! The journey ahead of her will take commitment, but I am fully convinced that she is equipped, ready and able to conquer what lies ahead of her in God's strength! I know that He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we can ask, think or imagine!
Love, harmony
www.iamatreasure.com
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Romance with the King
A Treasures for You: The Treasures E-devotional
ROMANCE WITH THE KING
Our King wants to romance each one of us. Are you allowing Him?
In Isaiah 54, the Lord proclaims, "For your Maker is your husband...for the Lord has called you like a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, like a youthful wife when you were refused."
Unlike man, He will never leave you or reject you. He is pursuing your heart and loves you just as you are…today…in this moment. He is not waiting until you are perfect to enter a romance with you and to pour out His love. He wants you just as you are, right now, with every concern, baggage, and worry.
Spend some intimate time with Him this afternoon. He wants to fill you with His goodness and loving kindness. Let's make today that marker of entering a romance with our King. Let's put aside all our distractions, worries and concerns, bring them to the foot of the cross, and worship the Lover of our Soul, for He is worthy.
Love you and praying that He whispers delightful promises of His everlasting kindness to you today!
Onward!
Written by Dina for Treasures
www.iamatreasure.com
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
A Desperate Plea...
A DESPERATE PLEA
Friday night’s outreach left me and 2 volunteers standing motionless with tears in our eyes in the middle of a strip club. In the midst of giving out hundreds of gift bags to precious women working in 10 clubs, we came across one woman who moved us deeply. When she first saw us, she thanked us for her gift saying that “we always give great gifts”. She has been in the business for 12 years and we have been visiting her club for the past 6.
“Whether you know it or not, you’ve changed my life” she continued. She explained that because of us, she has come to realize her strength and that she is “good”. She went on to say “I know who you are. And I believe what you believe. I pray to God every night.”
The interaction was all hugs and smiles until her tone suddenly changed and she looked at us desperately. “Pray for me” she whispered. “Pray for me. Please pray for me. I’m lost. I’m so lost. I’m gone. Please, please pray for me.”
Through tears, she repeated her plea again and again, each time with more intensity. Of course we prayed for her and have been since. But the urgency of her appeal stayed with us for the rest of the night. We hope that she will contact us, but until that point, may God touch her heart and life with His loving, transforming hand.
UPDATE ON ROBERTA
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we were able to bring a donation of $500 and a basket of gifts for Roberta and her daughters to the hospital where she is being treated for her burns. We were not able to visit her personally, but left a message for the family that our team is here to support them in whatever way we can. A nurse told us that Roberta is still in critical condition and is heavily sedated as her body fights to heal. She still needs our prayers.
700 CLUB
For those of you who were not able to catch the 700 Club episode today featuring my story and the work of Treasures, here is a link where you can watch it now.
Thank you all for your prayers and support!
Love,
Harmony and The Treasures Team
www.iamatreasure.com
Friday night’s outreach left me and 2 volunteers standing motionless with tears in our eyes in the middle of a strip club. In the midst of giving out hundreds of gift bags to precious women working in 10 clubs, we came across one woman who moved us deeply. When she first saw us, she thanked us for her gift saying that “we always give great gifts”. She has been in the business for 12 years and we have been visiting her club for the past 6.
“Whether you know it or not, you’ve changed my life” she continued. She explained that because of us, she has come to realize her strength and that she is “good”. She went on to say “I know who you are. And I believe what you believe. I pray to God every night.”
The interaction was all hugs and smiles until her tone suddenly changed and she looked at us desperately. “Pray for me” she whispered. “Pray for me. Please pray for me. I’m lost. I’m so lost. I’m gone. Please, please pray for me.”
Through tears, she repeated her plea again and again, each time with more intensity. Of course we prayed for her and have been since. But the urgency of her appeal stayed with us for the rest of the night. We hope that she will contact us, but until that point, may God touch her heart and life with His loving, transforming hand.
UPDATE ON ROBERTA
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we were able to bring a donation of $500 and a basket of gifts for Roberta and her daughters to the hospital where she is being treated for her burns. We were not able to visit her personally, but left a message for the family that our team is here to support them in whatever way we can. A nurse told us that Roberta is still in critical condition and is heavily sedated as her body fights to heal. She still needs our prayers.
700 CLUB
For those of you who were not able to catch the 700 Club episode today featuring my story and the work of Treasures, here is a link where you can watch it now.
Thank you all for your prayers and support!
Love,
Harmony and The Treasures Team
www.iamatreasure.com
Monday, February 9, 2009
Sunlight in a shady place...
Outreach Update January 2009
On Friday night we headed out to 12 strip clubs in the Nation’s porn capitol, the San Fernando Valley. We arrived to find that 3 of the clubs were closed down.
While clubs are closing, others are still opening. At one newer club we met the manager who threw his arms around me and said that the club had been having a very challenging night and really needed our visit. He said that we were a “breath of fresh air” and the “Yang to their Yin”.
In the Chinese culture, the relationship between “Yin and Yang” often described in terms of sunlight playing over a mountain and in the valley. Yin (literally the 'shady place') is the dark area occluded by the mountain's bulk, while yang (literally the 'sunny place') is the brightly lit portion. In essence, the club manager called us sunlight in the San Fernando Valley!!!
Thank you all for your prayers and support!
Love, Harmony
PS. Just a reminder that up to 4% of your grocery purchases at Ralphs can go to support Treasures when you enroll in the community partnership program. If you enrolled in the past, you must RE-ENROLL your new Ralph’s Reward Card.
Here’s how:
On Friday night we headed out to 12 strip clubs in the Nation’s porn capitol, the San Fernando Valley. We arrived to find that 3 of the clubs were closed down.
While clubs are closing, others are still opening. At one newer club we met the manager who threw his arms around me and said that the club had been having a very challenging night and really needed our visit. He said that we were a “breath of fresh air” and the “Yang to their Yin”.
In the Chinese culture, the relationship between “Yin and Yang” often described in terms of sunlight playing over a mountain and in the valley. Yin (literally the 'shady place') is the dark area occluded by the mountain's bulk, while yang (literally the 'sunny place') is the brightly lit portion. In essence, the club manager called us sunlight in the San Fernando Valley!!!
Thank you all for your prayers and support!
Love, Harmony
PS. Just a reminder that up to 4% of your grocery purchases at Ralphs can go to support Treasures when you enroll in the community partnership program. If you enrolled in the past, you must RE-ENROLL your new Ralph’s Reward Card.
Here’s how:
- - Make sure you are signed up for the NEW Rewards Card
- -Create an account online
- -Once you’ve created an account, sign in and click on Community Contribution Program
- -Then enter your card # and choose Treasures out of Darkness for your organization to link it to your card
- -(Our NPO # is 84628). For questions call 800-660-9003
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