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

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.


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