By Meredith Chase, Executive Director of For the Widow Ministries
We are excited to share all of the amazing things happening with For the Widow Ministries! It has been wonderful to watch how God has worked through this ministry and blessed us in so many ways this Summer. This month we are sharing news about our next mission trip and our 2025 mission trip dates, our Ministry Truck fundraising campaign, an update on each of our widows, and church partnerships.
Upcoming Mission Trips and 2025 Dates
As you will often hear from any member of our team, the best way to get involved with For the Widow Ministries is by going on one of our trips. When you sit face-to-face with each of the widows, hear their stories, and give them a “For the Widow Hug”, it is an experience unlike any other (and one you won’t soon forget). We have our 2025 dates ready! Learn more at forthewidow.org/mission-trips.
We are excited to start preparing for our next trip on November 30 – December 7. The holidays can be a lonely time for widows. We invite you to join us this holiday season as we will share the hope and love of our King Jesus with widows in need, as well as their family members and neighbors! We still have open spots on the team if you are interested in joining us.
Learn more at forthewidow.org/mission-trips/november-30-december-7-2024/
Help Us Double the Widows We Can Serve!
In our May update, we shared the need for a mission truck with you. We are so thankful for those of you who have contributed so far for this vital part of our ministry.
30% of the funds have been raised to help us meet our goal of $47,200!
A truck is an essential element to the success of our ministry as it will allow Miqueas to reach more communities, spend more time with our widows, and save money to meet other needs by not having to hire drivers to accomplish the goals of the ministry.
We have set a date of November 30 to meet our goal of $47,200 so we can make the purchase while on the upcoming trip. We are looking for 3 types of donors:
100 individuals who are able to commit a donation of $100 to this effort
18 major donors willing to commit $1,000 to the effort
Local church partners who will give a one-time donation and consider partnering with the ministry on a monthly basis for general program funding!
Would you prayerfully consider helping us meet this need? We appreciate anything you can give!
Current Widow Updates
Luisa (Don Bosco)
Luisa is so happy to be a part of the program and is thankful for her new sponsor. Miqueas said she smiles so much when he comes to visit her. When we first met with Luisa someone had come into her house and stolen her propane tank so she was unable to cook her food without building a fire. The ministry was able to help her get a new propane tank and Miqueas secured it to a counter in her house so it wouldn’t get stolen again.
Please pray for Luisa as she is dealing with diabetes and a difficult situation with her granddaughters as well.
Carmen (Los Robles)
Praise God for Carmen’s new sponsors! Miqueas has been visiting with Carmen each month and providing food but now that she has a sponsor we will be able to support her in additional ways. Carmen and the five grandchildren she is raising are all doing well.
Her daughter moved out temporarily but we are praying she will be able to earn enough money to complete her house near her mother.
Elena (Barahona)
Elena and her family are doing well. Her children return to school this week. Her son loves to practice baseball in his free time and her daughters are always talking about ways to help their mother. Elena sells clothes in different communities. While she sometimes is able to sell some of the clothes, recently she has had a more difficult time selling enough to make it worth her time. Please pray that she is able to find more customers so that she can continue to work towards self-sufficiency.
She expressed her gratitude for the help that her sponsor has given her. She did not expect that extra help and she was so excited that she could not find the words!!
Jungara (Mena Arriba)
Jungara continues to be very thankful for the ministry. She is interested in selling charcoal again to create income for herself. She is working with Miqueas to develop a simple business plan so the ministry can support her in starting her business. We will work with her on saving money and reinvesting those funds into her business. This is an area of focus for the ministry. We are working to encourage and empower the widows to move them towards self-sufficiency!
Élvira (Barahona)
Élvira is such an inspiration to our team and to the community around her. She is always happy and a joy to be around.
At 91, she has started selling charcoal again as a way to make money to be more self-sufficient. Her desire to work and honor God in all aspects of her life is a wonderful example of our vision for all of the widows – the ability to support themselves and work unto the Lord!
Santa (La Guazara)
As always, Santa was excited to see Miqueas! She has been adding on to her one-room house in order to provide a separate bedroom and bathroom for her and granddaughter, Leslie. The ministry has been able to assist Santa with this process and it is moving forward nicely.
Please continue to pray for Santa and God’s provision for her home.
Agripina (La Guazara)
Agripina has been dealing with a medical condition. She has seen one doctor but is getting a second opinion to determine if medication or surgery are necessary. She will need help with the solution that is determined to improve her situation. We will be working to help where we can once we know the severity of her condition. Please pray for wisdom for the doctor and a plan of action to help Agripina feel better.
Antonia (Los Robles)
Antonia is doing great and feeling healthy. She continues to be very thankful for the food she receives and the message that Miqueas shares with her. However, she has not made a decision to put her faith in Jesus and is hesitant to go to church because she is not “good enough”. This is a difficult mentality to change. Please pray that she will understand that she can come to Jesus just as she is and in repentance, he will accept her.
Gloria (Los Robles)
Unfortunately, Gloria had an accident while riding on the bus and was hurt. The bus moved before she sat down and she now has injuries on her face, shoulder, and legs. Miqueas was able to help her get medicine for the pain, antibiotic cream for the sores, and has been checking up on her frequently. She is feeling better but please pray for continued healing and safety going forward.
Betania (Mena Arriba)
Betania is looking healthy and taking good care of her boys, and she says the ministry has been a blessing to her. She needs a bathroom in her home. Currently, she and her children have to go to the convenience store to use the restroom.
Please pray for Betania and the ministry as we are working out the logistics for assisting her with adding a bathroom and windows to her home. This would be a tremendous help and improvement to their current living situation.
Antonia (Mena Arriba)
Antonia put her faith in Jesus recently. Praise God! She has been attending church regularly with her 10-year-old son Luis and her two sisters. Two weeks ago her sisters made a personal decision to put their faith in Jesus as well. This is the ripple effect we pray for!
Antonia has been dealing with a difficult situation with her home and property. She received a tremendous blessing when a local man offered to help her build a new home on the property that she owns. Please pray that all of the details will be worked out as it will help Antonia so much. We were also able to help her get her washing machine fixed!
Rellita (la Guazara)
Rellita is such a joy and has a beautiful smile, plus she gives wonderful hugs! She always wants Miqueas and our team to stay and talk with her as long as possible. She has been taking medicine for back pain and is feeling much better as a result.
Please pray for her continued recovery!
Nosilia (Los Robles)
Nosilia continues to grow in her relationship with the Lord. She is going to church and taking her boys (two grandsons) every time they have a service. She recognizes that her faith is growing. Praise God!
Please pray that we will continue to attend church regularly and that it will help her talk to her boys and those around her about Jesus.
