- Call +1 (608) 561-7680
- Mail : info@hoseasheart.org
-
Would You Send Me Away?
“If you had to send one of us away, like take one of us out of Hosea’s Heart, and you had to pick one of us… who would you pick?” One of my teenagers sprang the question on me and caught me off guard. I think she noticed my frown of confusion because she continued without allowing Read More -
Suffering for Freedom
As we rounded the corner, I took in a sharp breath. My chest suddenly felt suffocated like a heavy blanket had been thrown over my face. This time, it wasn’t from the shock of the humidity. For, when I had left Swaziland, it was “winter” but when I arrived in Thailand, I was hit with
Read More -
Buying Her Off the Street
If someone would’ve told me that six years after starting Hosea’s Heart, I’d be buying one of my daughters off the street, I would’ve said, “No way. You’re crazy. Count me out! I can’t put my heart through that kind of meat grinder.” Yet, here I am, slumped in confusion and agony, holding nothing but
Read More -
Loving A Runnaway
2008 – I met a twelve-year-old, front-tooth missing, phonily happy teenage girl who ripped the heart right out of my chest. But in its place, God put His heart for her. And so she became “umntfwana wami” (my child) ever since. 2009 – I returned to Swazi to find “my child,” was nowhere to be found. “You
Read More -
Ayanda’s American Adventure
“How are you doing, Ayanda?” the flight attendant in charge of an entirely different section of our plane came over to check on the ecstatic and terrified young woman sitting next to me. Ayanda has that magnetic effect on people. “Good, good!” she beamed from ear to ear while catching her breaths. “What do you
Read More -
New Roots: From Ashes to Oaks!
If you have not yet heard about our exciting update- we’re expanding! In February, we sent an ambassador team to help begin the first stages of building this new campus-style compound. The new compound will house up to 56 girls and will include staff and volunteer housing, a school building, a workshop, and other income-generating projects. Check
Read More -
Why Not Her?
“Why me?” the common question each of us asks when faced with unjust hardship and pain. But she doesn’t ask that question. Why? Because she’s not common. She’s extraordinary. Resilient. A relentless chaser of dreams. When life doesn’t go her way, she doesn’t give up, victimize herself, throw a pity party, or ask why. She picks herself back
Read More -
You Can’t Stop Me Now
Once upon a time I let you have your say You tortured me with lies I believed you anyway You taught me how to drown my pain To run away from “fear” But when I chased your promises I lost everything I held dear I lived like I was unlovable As you reminded me
Read More -
Are There Really Second Chances?
It used to be just a normal, unimportant street corner. Whether I was walking or driving past, it meant nothing. Until about six months ago. The first time I saw them, I thought maybe they were waiting for ride. It’s not the usual “working” corner. I knew those corners. This was not one of them.
Read More -
Stuck
In another conversation with a different girl who hasn’t been able to get beyond her scars, I tried explaining how God is still good even in times like these. But it’s hard for her to believe it. She said she wants the Lord, but she’s too full of pain. “What if you’re stuck?” she asked
Read More -
Scars
I walk into the room, hardly making a noise, but she jolts out of a deep sleep at stares at me with enlarged, terrified white eyes. The first time it happened, I laughed because she looked so funny being scared awake like that. The second and third time, I gasped because her reaction scared me.
Read More -
A Heart Like Jenga
Setting up this ministry has been like setting up the game, Jenga. Piece upon piece is laid, all interconnected to form one tower. The newer pieces are easiest to take away, while the oldest are, in many ways ,most integral because they form the foundation. God gave me the first Jenga piece eight years ago.
Read More -
We Give Thanks
In celebration of Thanksgiving, we wanted to share some incredible blessings we are recently grateful for: We are so thankful for our sponsors! Because of your generosity, within six months, all of our girls are now fully sponsored! All our volunteers: Thank you to all of you behind the scenes, especially our Board members, Kirsten
Read More -
Meeting Their Needs: Small Things With Great Love
She showed up on the front door step with a baby held snuggly on her back by a tattered towel. Her eyes looked tired like an aged adult, but she was young. So young. She hadn’t made it past her first year of high school. “Can you help me?” she asked in a near whisper.
Read More -
Who Takes Care of You?
“So, who takes care of you?” I was sitting in my parked car, waiting to pick up one of the girls from her counseling session when a friend walked over to talk to me. In my lap I had my MacBook (a gift from my La Crosse friends–a constant reminder of their love), and a
Read More -
Why We Believe in Short-Term Missions
“I prefer short-term missionaries,” says Kalli, one of our girls when she was asked if short-term missions is beneficial at the girls home, “because they spend one-on-one time with us. They pour into us without expecting anything in return.” BUT Some people hate short-term missions: “Short term missions trips are not a good use of
Read More -
Hello Thirties, Hello Freedom
I just turned 30! Eeeeeek! To be honest, I was dreading it. Thirty…not flirty (no time nor bachelors) and sometimes sinking instead of thriving. But my girls put it into perspective for me. “Most people here are thrilled to live to 30!” After being humbled, they also then gave me the best birthday party ever and
Read More -
Return, Rise, Fight
I’ve been back in Swazi for a full month now. Already so much has happened! I can’t possibly summarize it in writing (nor in my head), so here are the highlights: 1) It feels like home to me. 2) When I returned, my mom graced me with her presence for 10 days. It was so
Read More -
Life’s Too Short for Fear
“Is anything worth more than your soul?” –Mark 8:37 “Are you afraid to die?” the words came out too quickly for me to stop them. From my peripherals, I could see every head in the room turn to me, and I could
Read More
