hey friends. I am wondering how many of you are familiar with the organization: To Write Love On Her Arms (TWLOHA). The reason I ask is that the month of March is when this organization was launched in 2006. It's purpose is to "present hope for people struggling with addiction, depression, self-injury and thoughts of suicide while also investing directly into treatment and recovery."
These subjects are hard to speak out about, especially self-harm and suicide. They are ugly truths and realities for people dealing with hurt and pain and sometimes injustice they have experienced. I can't speak for the reasons why these are the avenues used to cope or express themselves with, all I know is that it's very real and sometimes very well hidden.
I myself have walked along side a friend who, for her own reasons took a steak knife to her wrist. My heart was wrought with questions rooted in not understanding and fear but rather than building a wall of defense in self-protection and instead of simply turning my head in the direction of turning a blind eye or indifference, I engaged in the battle of trying to rescue, help, encourage her to seek a healthier way to process. Since these events of high school, I have heard many stories of other young ladies who have familiarized themselves with this manner. I'm not glorifying them. I'm not patronizing them. I'm speaking out to the realities of the brokenness in us all.
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I can't help but think about how my Savior would engage. I don't see him running the other way, in fact, I see him going straight to the thick of it. I understand that not everyone is purposed and geared towards helping in an manner that is "hands on" and I understand too that not everyone views issues such as these with as much empathy as others. But my heart is moved for the broken hearted. My heart aches for those who think they have no other option to express, cope or process life than to harm themselves with foreign objects, with substances, food, whatever it may be.
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TWLOHA is putting on a 5k walk/run to raise awareness and support for those struggling and fighting. This event is special in that while it is taking place in Florida, the rest of the United States, and possibly world has the opportunity to participate "virtually" where they are at, in their own communities. so if you are moved to investigate more about this organization: GREAT! if you are motivated to participate in this event: GREAT! if you are motivated to pass this up but get more active with a different organization fighting for a cause: that's GREAT too!
please visit: follow the events link to find the 5k being held on April 18th.
as always....Much Love,
Rach
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Friday, February 20, 2015
Loving others
This week has been hard, not physically but mentally and emotionally. My heart attitude wasn't one where I was overly focused on others, loving on them, taking the time to listen to them, to care for them. Have you ever known this struggle? It seems to creep up slowly with it's foot in the door of my heart and when I get tired, it slams the door hard in the faces of my "neighbors" and myself. My heart turns to stone almost, and when I try to pry that door open again, it's like turning your car over on a frigid early morning, gears grinding. Guys, the struggle to love others is real, and it's hard. But what did Jesus say is the second greatest commandment? "Love your neighbor as yourself."
Today at work, as a barrier, I plugged into my iPod and listened to podcasts by a church in Portland, I was introduced to this past summer while visiting a dear old friend on my journey to Montana from Alaska. Message after message was about relationships with others, close friends, actual neighbors, coworkers who are neighbors, strangers, everyone and anyone believers and unbelievers whom we come into contact. With each word compassionately being spoken into the earbud, I was being exposed. Faces of residents, family, friends, community members became present with a sting in my heart of mistreatment. Most of these "mistreatments" weren't said aloud to their face, if said aloud at all. But my friends, does the Lord not know our thoughts from afar? (read Psalm 139)
Love your neighbor as yourself.
what does that look like? what does that feel like?
Today at work, as a barrier, I plugged into my iPod and listened to podcasts by a church in Portland, I was introduced to this past summer while visiting a dear old friend on my journey to Montana from Alaska. Message after message was about relationships with others, close friends, actual neighbors, coworkers who are neighbors, strangers, everyone and anyone believers and unbelievers whom we come into contact. With each word compassionately being spoken into the earbud, I was being exposed. Faces of residents, family, friends, community members became present with a sting in my heart of mistreatment. Most of these "mistreatments" weren't said aloud to their face, if said aloud at all. But my friends, does the Lord not know our thoughts from afar? (read Psalm 139)
Love your neighbor as yourself.
what does that look like? what does that feel like?
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Returning to Camp
This letter is difficult for me to write as my initial heart attitude is to be self-reliant, yet here I am stepping out in faith, allowing God to step in and provide.
Dear family and friends,
Many of you know that the majority of my time spent in Alaska was centered on ministry at Solid Rock Bible Camp. I was first introduced to camp fresh out of high school in 2007 as part of a teen work group, sent to assist in the preparation of camp. I was there for a week and fell in love. In 2011, I attended camp as a Counselor, sharing for the first time, my faith and hope in Christ Jesus. Again, at the end of my time there, my love for Alaska and Solid Rock grew. In 2013, I moved to Soldotna, AK to work at camp as a cook. Over the winter, I lived at camp with a family that has been influential to my spiritual growth. I was working for an organization that served youth and families in the area and while this organization meant well in their purpose, I soon realized that they were missing a key ingredient to health and healing and that was the hope of Christ. Other circumstances in the spring changed in my personal life and I chose to leave this organization, with the intention of returning to Montana at the end of the summer in 2014. While I was considering my options on how to utilize my time over the summer, it was strongly suggested that I return to camp and serve there as a counselor. To be honest, I was resistant towards the idea of camp, I wanted to be free to play and do “self-care”. In the end, abandoning my plan was the best decision I have made as it has transformed my life. I constantly found myself praying and seeking God to renew my strength and energy multiple times each day of each week to love and enjoy each of the campers and staff. The Lord provided. I found myself learning things about God and his word in chapel’s formatted to be understood by 6 year olds. I was challenged to open the Bible and digest the word so that I could feed others. I can say that I have grown more in these nine weeks than I have most of my life.
Currently, in church and a college group I attend, we have been studying the “Good News” and the Great Commission: “Go therefore and make Disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.” As believers in Christ’s death and resurrection, we are ALL called to this; we are all responsible to this. For some that looks like going across the Globe. For others that means traveling across the U.S. But for the majority, it’s walking across the street. Talking to our coworkers. For me, while I am building relationships and seeking opportunities with coworkers and residents of the facility that I work at, I feel called and lead to continue serving my summers at Solid Rock with the hopes of sharing the Good News and making disciples as well as growing in my own relationship with Jesus.
My time this summer will consist of one week devoted to staff training followed by seven weeks of camp, meaning that for eight weeks this summer; I will be volunteering my time, energy and resources. While I am taking a break from a profitable income, I am still expected to be financially responsible for monthly expenses such as vehicle insurance, cell phone, and loans as well as travel expenses. This winter I was blessed with the ability to house sit and work 50 hours of overtime which has covered my airfare to and from Alaska, but as stated, I am still in need.
It is my prayer that you join with my in praying for the staff and campers this summer first and foremost, that the Lord would prepare our hearts and equip us in the coming months for the summer, that we would be eager to extend love to the kiddos that come to camp as well as obedient to the Lord in sharing the Truth. Pray too that the camper’s hearts would be open to receiving the word, that seeds would be planted, watered or harvested in Salvation.
Please prayerfully consider partnering with me financially, as my goal is to raise $1,000.00 to cover the cost of my monthly expenses. I am in the process of knitting/crocheting coffee cup cozies, dish rags and other goods to sell to help reach this goal. I am also willing to do yard work, house sit, housekeeping, pet care and other chores.
I leave May 17th and return to Bozeman August 2nd. Yes, this is longer than the seven weeks of camp, in part because I intend on spending a week in Anchorage ministering to a friend who is far from the Lord, but ever searching. Please pray for this time, that I would be gentle and loving, but bold in presenting the Gospel.
Much Love,
Rachel Rehbein
You may contact me on Facebook or by phone to schedule or obtain more information.
Financial support should be mailed to:
Solid Rock Ministries (Checks made payable to Solid Rock Ministries with the Memo stating my name)
36251 Solid Rock Rd #1
Soldotna, AK 99669
Dear family and friends,
Many of you know that the majority of my time spent in Alaska was centered on ministry at Solid Rock Bible Camp. I was first introduced to camp fresh out of high school in 2007 as part of a teen work group, sent to assist in the preparation of camp. I was there for a week and fell in love. In 2011, I attended camp as a Counselor, sharing for the first time, my faith and hope in Christ Jesus. Again, at the end of my time there, my love for Alaska and Solid Rock grew. In 2013, I moved to Soldotna, AK to work at camp as a cook. Over the winter, I lived at camp with a family that has been influential to my spiritual growth. I was working for an organization that served youth and families in the area and while this organization meant well in their purpose, I soon realized that they were missing a key ingredient to health and healing and that was the hope of Christ. Other circumstances in the spring changed in my personal life and I chose to leave this organization, with the intention of returning to Montana at the end of the summer in 2014. While I was considering my options on how to utilize my time over the summer, it was strongly suggested that I return to camp and serve there as a counselor. To be honest, I was resistant towards the idea of camp, I wanted to be free to play and do “self-care”. In the end, abandoning my plan was the best decision I have made as it has transformed my life. I constantly found myself praying and seeking God to renew my strength and energy multiple times each day of each week to love and enjoy each of the campers and staff. The Lord provided. I found myself learning things about God and his word in chapel’s formatted to be understood by 6 year olds. I was challenged to open the Bible and digest the word so that I could feed others. I can say that I have grown more in these nine weeks than I have most of my life.
Currently, in church and a college group I attend, we have been studying the “Good News” and the Great Commission: “Go therefore and make Disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.” As believers in Christ’s death and resurrection, we are ALL called to this; we are all responsible to this. For some that looks like going across the Globe. For others that means traveling across the U.S. But for the majority, it’s walking across the street. Talking to our coworkers. For me, while I am building relationships and seeking opportunities with coworkers and residents of the facility that I work at, I feel called and lead to continue serving my summers at Solid Rock with the hopes of sharing the Good News and making disciples as well as growing in my own relationship with Jesus.
My time this summer will consist of one week devoted to staff training followed by seven weeks of camp, meaning that for eight weeks this summer; I will be volunteering my time, energy and resources. While I am taking a break from a profitable income, I am still expected to be financially responsible for monthly expenses such as vehicle insurance, cell phone, and loans as well as travel expenses. This winter I was blessed with the ability to house sit and work 50 hours of overtime which has covered my airfare to and from Alaska, but as stated, I am still in need.
It is my prayer that you join with my in praying for the staff and campers this summer first and foremost, that the Lord would prepare our hearts and equip us in the coming months for the summer, that we would be eager to extend love to the kiddos that come to camp as well as obedient to the Lord in sharing the Truth. Pray too that the camper’s hearts would be open to receiving the word, that seeds would be planted, watered or harvested in Salvation.
Please prayerfully consider partnering with me financially, as my goal is to raise $1,000.00 to cover the cost of my monthly expenses. I am in the process of knitting/crocheting coffee cup cozies, dish rags and other goods to sell to help reach this goal. I am also willing to do yard work, house sit, housekeeping, pet care and other chores.
I leave May 17th and return to Bozeman August 2nd. Yes, this is longer than the seven weeks of camp, in part because I intend on spending a week in Anchorage ministering to a friend who is far from the Lord, but ever searching. Please pray for this time, that I would be gentle and loving, but bold in presenting the Gospel.
Much Love,
Rachel Rehbein
You may contact me on Facebook or by phone to schedule or obtain more information.
Financial support should be mailed to:
Solid Rock Ministries (Checks made payable to Solid Rock Ministries with the Memo stating my name)
36251 Solid Rock Rd #1
Soldotna, AK 99669
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