At Jay’s HOPE, many of our mothers bear a heavy load when it comes to their children’s treatment, clinic visits, hospital stays, and other matters of care. Jay’s HOPE founder and executive director Cindy Gaskins decided to offer a special monthly event just for them. “For over a year,” she said, “I have felt God nudging me to start a Bible study for our Jay’s HOPE moms. I believe it was His desire for us to provide a place to share hopes and fears and to equip our mommas with the promises of God’s word.”
The group, which averages 25 people, meets in the homes of Jay’s HOPE staff for fellowship, a meal, and time to discuss the Bible study book, It’s Not Supposed to Be this Way: Finding Unexpected Strength when Disappointments Leave You Shattered by Lysa TerKeurst. TerKeurst, president of Proverbs 31 Ministries, has a unique sensitivity to women in crisis because of her own experiences. In her book, she shares what God has taught her about how to cope with anxiety and fear related to one’s circumstances and to find a way forward in life.
Only a few months in, our moms are raving about this new study:
- “Though each of us are at different stages in our cancer journeys, going through the readings and talking about what speaks to us and how we feel is so great. It is worth every minute of the more than three-hour round trip to drive there and back. The interaction with fellow moms as we work through strong and hard emotions with God’s word is such a huge blessing.”
Christie, mom to Adam (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia [ALL], age 19) - “The Bible study is an opportunity to gather and study the word of God with women who understand my way of life. It is a sisterhood where my ideas and worries aren’t seen as weird or off the wall but are understood and embraced. It’s proof that in this life, on this journey, I am not alone. Plus, I love the family, fellowship, and FOOD!!!”
Charties, mom to Jarhya (ALL, age 9) - “This Bible study has changed my life, and we have only scratched the surface. The book has brought light into my life in a very dark situation. It has transformed my everyday thinking, which is definitely what I needed as we move forward with this journey with cancer. The ladies doing the Bible study mean the world to me. Every single person can contribute a new meaning into a verse or interpret a sentence completely different than what I did, and that allows us to use those new learnings to improve our hearts and minds on a daily basis.”
Danielle, mom to John Robert (Wilms Tumor, age 3)
We are grateful for supporters like you whose gifts allow us to continue offering ministries like the Mom’s Bible Study. As Danielle said, you are helping us bring light into some dark situations. Thank you!
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