I had a new assignment this year at the Journey.  I was coach for 3 small groups.  We had 18 men and women there over the weekend, before the seminar, to receive training for leading back home.  Actually, they were fortunate enough to be sitting in on what our leaders for the seminar were learning and then they went into their own small groups.

There they sat with 2 experienced Journey Group leaders for 6 small group meetings with opportunities to lead and receive feedback, and at times go deeper into their stories.  Being the coach for those three groups, I realized, again, that our journey to health and wholeness is never done until we step into eternity.  Each time we meet with a different group and different leaders, we experience a new look at our own stories and our present way of dealing with our wounds.

I heard over and over the longing for mom and dad to love them and be able to see who they really are.  And then, the struggle to by faith, believe that “when our mother and father forsake us, the Lord will take us up.”  Will He be there for them?

Many people came up to me, people I have never met before, and said, “This ministry has changed my life.  I will never be the same.”  “My whole family has gotten help.”  Then a phone call, “I realized that I would not let myself need God.  I opened my Bible after a long time of ignoring it and am going to start a quiet time.”  “I wish I could have been here 20 years ago.”

I noticed at this seminar there was a group that was younger than my grandchildren.  What a joy to think that perhaps, just perhaps, some would be able to make wiser choices in career and marriage partners because of others responding well to their stories, entering their pain and their joy and giving them a taste of loving community.  I even met a couple young people from my Alma mater, the University of Michigan.  A church has started in my husbands’ old medical fraternity, and they work for the church.  Phi Chi is now a holy place.  Yeah!!  I pray those young folks will impact the neighborhood and the whole campus.  It only takes one person.

I also was aware that our leaders spent 2 days letting the Open Hearts Ministry staff and leaders minister to them, and then 6 days of pouring out to others the grace of God, the truth of God and the love of God.  They had to settle conflicts (yes there were conflicts) by helping group member learn to talk about them and move to resolution.   It is a sacrifice and a joy for leaders to serve at the Journey.

In preparation for the seminar, I spent a lot of time in God’s word.  I had three devotionals to prepare.  The best and most time-consuming part of that is to discover, wait for God, asking what He wants me to bring to the people.  My preparation time brought me to three concepts:

1. We belong to God: what does that mean?  From Isaiah 44

2. Open Hearts is a ministry of compassion:  What did compassion mean in the life of Jesus?

3. A Reflection on Peter’s last words to us:  Grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.  I Peter 3:18

The study of these concepts and presenting them brought me to a renewed awareness of how vital the word of God has been to this ministry and me.  I have a new fervor to hear from God and He is leading me in new directions.

My prayer is that Open Hearts Ministry will continue to stay true to its commitment to stop for the wounded, enter their pain, and rejoice in the redemption that God has promised.  As Joseph said, “as for you, you meant it for evil, BUT GOD meant it for good…”

Sandy Burdick – Ministry Founder