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April 2014
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GraceTouch
Facilitating global impact
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This season invites us to celebrate the victory we have in Christ over darkness, whether it's in another country, another culture, or in our own homes. This issue of GraceTouch features just a few of the many opportunities to be winners in Him over the darkness that surrounds us.
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Christ Arose!
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Up from the grave He arose
With a mighty triumph o'er His foes!
He arose a Victor from the dark domain
And He lives forever with His saints to reign
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah, Christ arose!
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Same Same but Different
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 by Becky Good
Although we have "one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all," there is tremendous personal, cultural and linguistic diversity in the Body of Christ. In Cambodia, we have an expression for that: "same same but different."
In many ways, we are all the same the world over: we eat, work, sleep...and sin. We all need Jesus-to save us, transform us and grow us into the unique disciples He wants us to be, forming bodies of believers who together can take the Good News to the uttermost parts of the world.
But the way that is fleshed out is obviously so different. And Cambodia is no exception. There is a growing group of men, women, boys and girls who are learning to know and love and serve our Savior Jesus Christ, but they have their own set of challenges in bringing the Good News to the Kingdom of Cambodia.
Almost all of them are first generation Christians in a country that is still about 98% Buddhist. There are many similarities between the Cambodian church and the churches you know, but there are definitely differences! (more)
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| The Conference that Wouldn't End
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The final session of the Hispanic Women's Transformational Summit in Atlanta April 4-6, was scheduled to end with a chance for testimonies, worship songs and a prayer. However, after the closing prayer, one of the women asked for the microphone to share what God was doing in her. Another followed her, and the sharing time continued for over an hour. Many shared about the hope they had found through the theme, Hope that Brings Peace, and about how they plan to act on their hopes. They rejoiced in how their sisters in Christ had ministered to them at the conference. Attendees came from Indiana, Florida, North Carolina and Georgia, representing about 18 countries. Thank you for your prayers and financial support to help these sisters be a part of this historic gathering. To see more pictures, click here.
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| Fellowshift |
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Are you planning to go to Washington, DC ,for the Fellowshift Conference? If so, we want you to join us as we celebrate our 75th anniversary on Friday, July 18. Watch for more information in the next issue of GraceTouch.
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| Look Behind You |
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Equipping Others for Ministry - Winona Lake, IN
If you're concerned about who will take your place in your ministry when you're ready to leave it, don't miss the "Equipping Others for Ministry" class in Winona Lake, Indiana, April 25-26. It is geared to help you as you prepare others to minister effectively. Click here for more Information.
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| Musings for Moms |
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Mothers of Liars
by Viki Rife
It happened twice this week, but I can't count the number of times in the past year that I've heard the agonized cry: "Why has my child started lying to me?"
Although I, as well as all three of my children, have survived their growing-up years, I can't claim expertise in the subject. I can, however, share a few things I've learned along the way.
For starters, I have had to rethink my definition of a lie. I have journeyed from thinking that it was okay to tell a half-truth if it protects the feelings of others (as well as my own hide) to realizing the importance of always functioning in truth. Along the journey, I've had to write letters asking forgiveness for outright lying, and have sometimes made phone calls apologizing for embellishing a story--a chief crime of those of us with storyteller personalities.
So my first need as a parent is to examine my own heart. I would love to tell you that my children have only heard truth from my lips--but that would be a lie. Do I expect truthfulness that I have not modeled? An acquaintance told me once that she didn't want her family in another country to know that she and her husband had divorced, so she instructed her child to tell family members that his father was away on a business trip every time they went to visit her country. My question is: Why does she get so angry when her child lies to her? Can't she see that he has been trained by her to hide the truth? The child is too smart to accept a double standard. (more)
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| PrayerWatch Partnership |
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from Sharon MacMillan 
"The Lord will keep you from all harm-He will watch over your life" Psalm 121:7
As young moms my friend and I would load our eight children into a van, making a run for the Channel Islands beach. We had our work cut out for us trying to watch over our brood! Some chose to play in the water, others were in the sand. Without warning, they would switch activity, keeping us on our toes. Eight little lives were unaware that we were on watch to protect them from harm.
Psalm 121:7 comforts this mother's heart because my Heavenly Father has no problem watching over His own. As God brings burdens for us to pray over, take comfort that He is actively watching over each situation with perfect attention to every detail.
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Five Fiction Favorites
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Review by Christy Carmean
Making plans for a relaxing break? Here are five captivating novels by favorite authors you may enjoy. (more)
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| Mark your calendar |
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Opportunities coming up:
WLS: Equipping Others, April 25-26, Winona Lake, IN More
Fellowshift, Women of Grace 75th Celebration, July 18, Washington, DC
Ohio Leadership Summit, October 17-19, Columbus, OH
Cambodia GO Team, November 11-24 More
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| What's going on? |
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with Women of Grace USA
Check our Facebook page to see some of what God's been doing among women through Women of Grace USA.
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| Help a friend |
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If you enjoy GraceTouch, why not share it with your friends? It's as easy as clicking Forward email at the bottom of this page, or forwarding it through your email program. And it's free! |
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