April 2025 MAP Update

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From our New Beginnings Housing Life Coach

I recently joined the New Beginnings Housing team as a Life Coach. The young women at New Beginnings Housing are a blessing from God. I have been working to assist with identifying goals and ac-tion plans. It's my desire to build trust-ing relationships with each resident and to provide a safe place for each to explore their next steps.

We meet in traditional ways such as face to face in a relaxed setting, or through video conferencing, but my favorite is taking walks together. My utmost desire is to reflect Jesus to each person I encounter, and that the time we spend will encourage spiritual growth as we journey together.

— Deb

From our New Beginnings Housing Intern

I am 19 years old and come from a fam-ily with ten children. We left the Amish two years ago after finding God’s truth and being saved. Even before we left the Amish, my heart's desire has been to see other girls find God and estab-lish their identity and true love in Him, because if they don't know Him and what He has done for them, how can they truly have unconditional love? Isaiah 53 clearly states what Christ suf-fered for our benefit. 1 Corinthians 13:2 says we can have all the good stuff, but without love, we have nothing. 1 John 2:15-17, talks about loving the world and not having the love of the Father. In the end, all things pass away, and they still haven't found their true love.

In April 2024, doors opened, bringing me to New Beginnings Homestead. This threw me for a loop because I had not planned on moving away from my family. I lived at New Beginnings as a resident from April to June and then moved back home to care for three children who are very special to me.

In October 2024, I returned to New Beginnings to enter an internship in preparation for starting my own ministry someday. Currently, my role is to be present for whatever needs the resi-dents have, whether spiritual or physi-cal. I give them rides when they need to go places, and I am here for emotional support when no one else is around. I help Michal with our monthly adven-tures, which is a highlight for me be-cause I love the time we spend bonding with each other.

I would like you to pray for me to follow God’s voice as He leads in my life. I give all glory to Him for what He has done in my life since I came to New Beginnings Housing!

— Sylvia

From our New Beginnings Housing Activities Director

In September, my husband and I be-came empty-nesters as our youngest of three daughters moved out. I won-dered what I would do with the silence!

At the same time, New Beginnings Homestead was brimming with young women eager for adventure!

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Each month, we plan two activities. One is geared towards crafting. We have decorated cookies, painted rocks and canvases, made Scripture light boxes, and had birthday parties.

Our second monthly activity is an ad-venture: Escape Room, Bible Museum, Carousel, Prairie Peddler, corn maze, and a bike ride/picnic on an island!

Each of our adventures brings enjoy-ment, comradery and strengthens the bonds of friendship and love we have for each other! — Michal

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine…” (Prov 17:22).

From our New Beginnings Housing Spiritual Leader

For the past eight months, I’ve had the privilege of meeting with the residents on Tuesday evenings. One week we have a prayer meeting, the next we continue our Bible studies. For most, praying outside of using a prayer book is foreign and challenging. What a joy it is to eventually hear each one gravitate to praying out loud and from the heart. Thus far, we have covered twelve doctrines of the faith and have twelve left.

—Joe Keim

In 2024, we saw an increased number of students in our GED program with 24 coming through our class. Fourteen successfully completed their high school diplomas and the remaining are working hard on completing their jour-ney. Some students choose to wait until they turn 18 to take the official test, while others are working on learn-ing the material required to pass.

This past year, we have students who have moved on to lifelong careers after receiving their GED. A few students have been on short-term mission trips, while others are working towards welding and E.M.T. certifications.

Every year, I see new reasons why indi-viduals want to get their high school diploma. It is not an easy task, but any-one can achieve this goal.

I am looking forward to seeing what the Lord brings in 2025 and how we can come alongside students to help them reach their goals.

Thank you for your contin-ued support!

—Rachel