“When he (Jesus) saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless,
like sheep without a shepherd.”
Matthew 9:36 NIV

“Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God”
~ Bob Pierce, founder of World Vision

The recent images of the earthquake/tsunami devastation in Japan have left many of us feeling overwhelmed with the enormity of the needs there. Several of our ABCOPAD brothers and sisters have just returned from a trip to Haiti where they witnessed sights of devastation still present one year after the earthquake there. How wonderful that they were able to help build homes and connect one-on-one with the people of Grande Goave and share God’s wonderful love!

The National Board of AB Women’s Ministries has been reading Half the Sky, Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by Nicholas D. Kristof & Sheryl WuDunn. Through a web group called “Big Tent,” we have been sharing our thoughts on the women that we have “met” and how we can respond to their needs.  The stories of the torture and abuse that these women and girls have suffered has been overwhelming to me. How do we respond to needs such as these?  How can we help?  I would challenge you to read the book for yourself and join me in finding ways that we can be a cause for change.  National AB Women has set a goal of $250,000 for our new emphasis, “Break the Chains and Stop the Pain!”

Frank Frischkorn, in the Feb. issue of ABCOPAD’s Notes & News, quoted Mother Teresa when she was asked how she was able to respond to the overwhelming weight of devastation in Calcutta, “I don’t see crowds, I see individuals.”
 
Since recently hearing the song, “Give Me Your Eyes,” by Christian recording artist, Brandon Heath, I have been unable to get the words out of my head. 
Here’s the refrain:
“Give me your eyes for just one second,  Give me your eyes so I can see,
Everything that I keep missing,  Give me your love for humanity.

Give me your arms for the broken hearted,  The ones that are far beyond my reach?
Give me your heart for the one's forgotten,  Give me your eyes so I can see. Yeah!”

May God help each of us to see with His eyes the individuals that He’s calling us to help.

Dr. Jeffrey Johnson, our special guest speaker at our last region board meeting, challenged us to share the Gospel using our own personality style.  His book, Got Style?  focuses on 6 different personality styles and how each of us can witness using our style.  Are we putting what we learned into practice?
Dr. Jeff also recommended that we should pray for several months about the following questions as an AB Women’s board:

1. What should we stop doing that we are doing now?
2. What would God want us to start?
3. What should we continue doing?

These are also valid questions for our churches and associations to pray over. Shouldn’t we already be asking God what we should be doing?  Isn’t it wonderful that since our Sept. meeting, Dr. Jeff has come on board our ABCOPAD region staff as “Pastor to Churches.”  Please keep he and his family in prayer as they make the transition from WV to PA.

How are you doing? At our fall meeting, I asked that you begin to ask God to lead you to at least one other woman/person who needs the love of Jesus this year.  Wynetta challenged us to make it 3!  It’s not too late to begin praying now!

“Mission Possible,” our region project goal of raising $15,000 in support of ABCOPAD and the Philadelphia region needs your help.  Please go back to your churches and associations and promote this project.  Our region(s) needs this extra boost to help finance the ministries that are so important to all of us.

This is my final report to you as your region President.  You are an amazing group of committed women that I have truly come to love and appreciate.  Thank you for your support and for allowing me this opportunity to serve with you. Please continue to keep me in your prayers as I assume a leadership role in ABCOPAD. There are great days ahead for AB Women of PA/DE and I look forward to working together with you. 

Submitted by Sue Fitzgerald (ABWMOPAD President 7/2008-6/2011)