A Season of Renewal
"He restores my soul." — Psalm 23:3
I want to start off by thanking each and every one of you for being a part of this life changing ministry. Restoration would not be here without all of your commitment through: prayer, financial support(giving?), facilitating classes, your testimonies and partnering with us through every season. I also want to show my appreciation and gratitude for the support that has been expressed over Ed stepping into a season of rest and myself stepping in as Director, the encouragement has been overwhelming. Ed has run a long and hard race and I am so deeply honored to be entrusted with this role.
I wanted to give you a little backstory on my walk with Restoration and how God used it to transform my life..
I went through Restoration for the first time in 2014. I was in a very dark place at the time and on the brink of disaster. I had brought my struggles to a friend who you know as Alisha (our bookkeeper and lifelong friend of mine). She had just gone through Restoration herself and she invited me to try it out. That simple invitation changed my whole life.
At that time I definitely would have called myself a Christian but I didn’t walk with the Lord daily in relationship. Honestly I didn’t even know that was possible. I was of the mindset that He created us and we will see Him again in heaven. The in between felt lonely and distant, I just believed that was all and that He was waiting for us at the finish line.
What I learned in those Restoration classes changed my life because I learned that God wasn’t just a distant God who created you and set you off on this difficult journey alone. He is a relational God who walks through ALL things with us. He feels all things with us, not because He has to but because He CHOOSES too. Learning the relational aspect of God totally changed how I viewed Him and how I lived my life daily. Because I knew the love of God, I loved Him back so much I wanted to please Him, I wanted to honor Him with my actions, choices, thoughts and my life. Everyday now was filled with comfort of knowing I am not alone, “He is with me”, every struggle also partnered with the truth that “He will work all things for good for those who love Him”. When you learn that the One who created the universe loves you and wants to walk with you daily and do everyday life with you, something inside of you, a part that nothing else can fill, thrives. God used Restoration to restore that relationship between He and I and that is what shaped the rest of my journey.
Along the way the Lord used many other beautiful ministries to continue to shape and transform me and He still is working. Restoration is a tool in God’s toolbelt that He used to create a foundation for me to stand on to grow in a healthy way and I am so grateful for Restoration, for Ed’s faithful walk, obedience and hard work to bring Restoration about. I am grateful for all the years Ed also sewed into my life through counseling and prayer. He has been my teacher, counselor and my friend and I hope to honor him and the Lord with how I operate in the role of Director of Restoration Ministries.
Sincerely,
Baesam Freske
