Thursday, July 7, 2011
Exciting Changes Coming Soon!
Hello everyone! We have been quiet on here as nothing is still happening in Liberia. However, things have not been quiet behind the scenes at Addy's Hope. In fact, quite the opposite is true! God has been moving, and we have been working to be obedient in what He wants from Addy's Hope. Keep watching for a brand new website and program updates coming soon! We are hoping to roll it all out by August 1! So check back! And we covet your prayers as we walk into this new and exciting time at Addy's Hope!
Friday, March 11, 2011
Pray for a change!
Things have been quiet here because things have been quiet in Liberia. We continue to pray and keep in touch with officials to attempt to open adoptions in Liberia. However, today we received information that there could be a decision soon. We have received information like this before over the past two years, but we are hoping and believing there is some element of truth in the news this time. Will you please pray with me? Pray that President Sirleaf will lift the halt on adoption. Pray that officials will allow those agencies who were working in Liberia before to continue to process adoptions, specifically the one who had families committed to them before the halt occurred. Pray that children will be protected in the entire process ~ before, during and after the adoptions.
God is moving as things have been stirring for the past couple of months in what has been a very quiet time as far as adoptions in Liberia and specifically Addy's Hope. We covet your prayers for adoption to win! We know the enemy hates adoption. We know adoption is the heart of God. Thank you for standing with us for the things of God!
Standing in faith,
HollyAnn Petree
Executive Director
Addy's Hope
God is moving as things have been stirring for the past couple of months in what has been a very quiet time as far as adoptions in Liberia and specifically Addy's Hope. We covet your prayers for adoption to win! We know the enemy hates adoption. We know adoption is the heart of God. Thank you for standing with us for the things of God!
Standing in faith,
HollyAnn Petree
Executive Director
Addy's Hope
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
The Meeting FINALLY Happened!
A huge thank you to everyone who has been faithfully praying for the adoption meeting in Liberia. It finally happened today and from all initial reports was a huge success!
A great big thank you to the new Minister of Justice, Honorable Christiana Tah for hearing the cries of the children and listening to those of us trying to care for the children inspite of the Ministry of Health.
I haven't confirmed everything yet, but it appears at this time that a new adoption committee will be formed to develop in writing policies and procedures that will govern adoptions. This will be presented to the President with a recommendation that adoptions resume. Praise the Lord!!!
Please continue to pray for all those on the front lines in Liberia. The truth was heard today! Praise God! Now those who heard it have to act on what was heard. Pray that they choose not to sin as it says in James 4:17, "anyone who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it sins."
Pray that the children waiting, many for as long as three years now, can come home to the families waiting for them...loving them this whole time and not giving up, but standing on faith and walking by faith and not by sight!
Praying with you!
HollyAnn
A great big thank you to the new Minister of Justice, Honorable Christiana Tah for hearing the cries of the children and listening to those of us trying to care for the children inspite of the Ministry of Health.
I haven't confirmed everything yet, but it appears at this time that a new adoption committee will be formed to develop in writing policies and procedures that will govern adoptions. This will be presented to the President with a recommendation that adoptions resume. Praise the Lord!!!
Please continue to pray for all those on the front lines in Liberia. The truth was heard today! Praise God! Now those who heard it have to act on what was heard. Pray that they choose not to sin as it says in James 4:17, "anyone who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it sins."
Pray that the children waiting, many for as long as three years now, can come home to the families waiting for them...loving them this whole time and not giving up, but standing on faith and walking by faith and not by sight!
Praying with you!
HollyAnn
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Postponed again!
Just called Liberia to see what the results of the meeting were. It did not occur as it was postponed yet again. The Justice Minister had an engagement with the President, so she had to reschedule. This is frustrating, but is common in Liberia, and reminds me of why it is often so difficult for my staff there to get the results I expect here in America! Please just pray that this meeting will occur soon! We need the truth to be made known!
Monday, July 19, 2010
Meeting is tomorrow
The meeting with the new Minister of Justice and other parties involved in the persecution of adoption it set for tomorrow morning. I have been in continual prayer for this meeting. I believe it was no irony that yesterday's sermon at my church was on spiritual warfare. But even before the message was delivered, during the worship time, I felt a strong sense of needing to pray for the battle waging for the children of Liberia. As such, I began praying for them. Immediately a peace flooded me. I believe this matter is settled. We will see great victory come from this meeting. Of course, my time is not God's time. I don't know that this victory will be evident immediately. My request to God is that we see immediate results, but I don't know that it will happen. I believe God was encouraging me to hang tight and not lose hope or question the outcome if immediate results are not evident. He will bring about that which has been settled in His timing...which is rarely the same as mine! Can anyone relate?!
This morning as I prayed again about the meeting, God took me to Psalm 33 and 34. I ask you to join me in proclaiming the Word over this meeting and the situation with adoption and children in Liberia. Let me remind everyone that this is much bigger than just adoption. We are talking about leaders in the Ministry of Health who have taken, from the last report I heard, over $300,000 (US, not Liberian dollars) from children who are in orphanages that have nothing to do with adoptions. This is the money the government was supposed to be giving those who care for the children to feed them. This money was literally stolen out of the mouths of the children by the very people set in authority by President Sirleaf and her people to care for the "health and social welfare" of these children. Anyone else see a serious problem?
So my prayer is not that adoptions open. Yes, that is part of it, but I am asking you to pray that these people be brought to justice and removed from their seats of authority so that Godly men and women can be put in authority and the well-being of the Liberian children can once again be at the forefront of what the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is doing.
Here is what God brought me to and I am asking you to agree with me in prayer:
Psalm 34:
7 ~ The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them.
8-10 ~ O taste and see that the Lord is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him: O fear the Lord, You His saints; for to those who fear Him there is no want. The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; but they who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing.
15-22 ~ The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and His ears are open to their cry. The face of the Lord is against evildoers, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. The righteous cry, and the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones, not one of them is broken, evil shall slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned. The Lord redeems the soul of His servants, and none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.
Psalm 37
7-15
Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. Cease from anger and forsake wrath; do not fret; it leads only to evildoing. For evildoers will be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord, they will inherit the land. Yet a little while and the wicked man will be no more; and you will look carefully for his place and he will not be there. But the humble will inherit the land and will delight themselves in abundant prosperity. The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes at him with his teeth. The Lord laugh ts at him, for He sees his day is coming. The wicked have drawn the sword and bent their bow to cast down the afflicted and the needy [orphans and those who care for them], to slay those who are upright in conduct [those of us who have spoken out publicly against the corruption in the Ministry of Health]. Their sword will enter their own heart, and their bows will be broken.
34~ Wait for the Lord and keep His way, and He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.
I am dancing for joy at the truths in those verses! The authority is all God's! He will deal harshly with those who plot against His people and especially against His children! Praise Him! To Him be all the glory from the outcomes of this meeting!
Concerning what I believe to be God speaking victory over the wicked in power over the care of children and the battle waging for these children:
Psalm 33:9-12 ~ For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast. The Lord nullifies the counsel of the nations; He frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the Lord stands forever. The plans of His heart from generation to generation. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.
Thank you for journeying with us and praying for the children of Liberia. I look forward to reporting to all of you prayer warriors the victories we will see in the days, weeks, months and years to come. I have always believed that God has big plans for Liberia and intends to make Liberia a power house nation....much like American. But He must have righteous leaders before that can happen. Your prayers are working to bring that about. Just one more time we as Christians are called to a very small part of a much larger picture! Thank you for your faithfulness and dedication. Words can't express the gratitude I have for those of you praying with us!
For the oppressed,
HollyAnn
This morning as I prayed again about the meeting, God took me to Psalm 33 and 34. I ask you to join me in proclaiming the Word over this meeting and the situation with adoption and children in Liberia. Let me remind everyone that this is much bigger than just adoption. We are talking about leaders in the Ministry of Health who have taken, from the last report I heard, over $300,000 (US, not Liberian dollars) from children who are in orphanages that have nothing to do with adoptions. This is the money the government was supposed to be giving those who care for the children to feed them. This money was literally stolen out of the mouths of the children by the very people set in authority by President Sirleaf and her people to care for the "health and social welfare" of these children. Anyone else see a serious problem?
So my prayer is not that adoptions open. Yes, that is part of it, but I am asking you to pray that these people be brought to justice and removed from their seats of authority so that Godly men and women can be put in authority and the well-being of the Liberian children can once again be at the forefront of what the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is doing.
Here is what God brought me to and I am asking you to agree with me in prayer:
Psalm 34:
7 ~ The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them.
8-10 ~ O taste and see that the Lord is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him: O fear the Lord, You His saints; for to those who fear Him there is no want. The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; but they who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing.
15-22 ~ The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and His ears are open to their cry. The face of the Lord is against evildoers, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. The righteous cry, and the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones, not one of them is broken, evil shall slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned. The Lord redeems the soul of His servants, and none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.
Psalm 37
7-15
Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. Cease from anger and forsake wrath; do not fret; it leads only to evildoing. For evildoers will be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord, they will inherit the land. Yet a little while and the wicked man will be no more; and you will look carefully for his place and he will not be there. But the humble will inherit the land and will delight themselves in abundant prosperity. The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes at him with his teeth. The Lord laugh ts at him, for He sees his day is coming. The wicked have drawn the sword and bent their bow to cast down the afflicted and the needy [orphans and those who care for them], to slay those who are upright in conduct [those of us who have spoken out publicly against the corruption in the Ministry of Health]. Their sword will enter their own heart, and their bows will be broken.
34~ Wait for the Lord and keep His way, and He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.
I am dancing for joy at the truths in those verses! The authority is all God's! He will deal harshly with those who plot against His people and especially against His children! Praise Him! To Him be all the glory from the outcomes of this meeting!
Concerning what I believe to be God speaking victory over the wicked in power over the care of children and the battle waging for these children:
Psalm 33:9-12 ~ For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast. The Lord nullifies the counsel of the nations; He frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the Lord stands forever. The plans of His heart from generation to generation. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.
Thank you for journeying with us and praying for the children of Liberia. I look forward to reporting to all of you prayer warriors the victories we will see in the days, weeks, months and years to come. I have always believed that God has big plans for Liberia and intends to make Liberia a power house nation....much like American. But He must have righteous leaders before that can happen. Your prayers are working to bring that about. Just one more time we as Christians are called to a very small part of a much larger picture! Thank you for your faithfulness and dedication. Words can't express the gratitude I have for those of you praying with us!
For the oppressed,
HollyAnn
Friday, July 16, 2010
Meeting postponed!
The meeting set for tomorrow has been moved to Tuesday at 10 am. That just give us more time to storm the gates of heaven for adoption and the children of Liberia! Please keep praying!
Fasting and Praying
Tomorrow is a crucial meeting for adoption. It is the first time that a high ranking public official has an interest in hearing the truth in the adoption stories that have been played out in the public in lies and corruption. We are so thankful for this opportunity to speak the truth and stand before our accusers and expose the lies. My only regret is that I cannot physically be there. But God has sent many to be on the front lines for tomorrow. Please pray for them. I can't explain to you the attacks that can come when you are in a position like that. Pray a hedge of protection around them.
This morning I am praying the following scriptures over the meeting. I would love for you to agree in prayer with me for these or anything else God lays on your heart! This is not a battle against flesh and blood but against the world forces of this darkness (Eph 6:12). This is a battle that will be won or lost based on the willingness of Kingdom warriors to fight on their knees and then follow in obedience to carry out the spiritual victory in the physical world. Please pray with me!
Psalm 10
2, 8-9 ~ In pride the wicked hotly pursue the afflicted; let them be caught in the plots which they have devised...He [the wicked] sits in the lurking places of the villages; in the hiding places he kills the innocent; his eyes stealthily watch for the unfortunate. He lurks in a hiding place as a lion in his lair; he lurks to catch the afflicted; He catches the afflicted when he draws him into his net.
12-18 ~ Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up Your hand. Do not forget the afflicted. Why has the wicked spurned God? He has said to himself, "You will not require it." You have seen it, for You have beheld mischief and vexation to take it into Your hand. The unfortunate commits himself to You; You have been the helper of the orphan. Break the arm of the wicked and the evildoer, seek out his wickedness until You find none. The Lord is King forever and ever; nations have perished from His land. O Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear to vindicate the orphan and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth will no longer cause terror.
Psalm 109
1-13 ~ O God of my praise, do not be silent! For they have opened their wicked and deceitful mouth against me; they have spoken against me with a lying tongue. They have also surrounded me with words of hatred, and fought against me without cause. In return for my love they act as my accusers, but I am in prayer. Thus they have repaid me evil for good and hatred for my love.
Appoint a wicked man over him, and let an accuser stand at this right hand. When he is judged, let him come forth guilty, and let his prayer become sin. Let his days be few; let another take his office. Let his children be fatherless and his wife a widow. Let his children wander about and beg; and let them seek sustenance far from their ruined homes. Let the creditor seize all that he has, and let strangers plunder the product of his labor. Let there be none to extend loving kindness to him, nor any to be gracious to his fatherless children. Let his posterity be cut off; in a following generation let their name be blotted out.
16 ~ Because he did not remember to show loving kindness, but persecuted the afflicted and needy man, and the despondent in heart, to put them to death.
21-31 ~ But You, O God, the Lord, deal kindly with me for Your name's sake; Because Your loving kindness is good, deliver me; For I am afflicted and needy, and my heart is wounded within me. I am passing like a shadow when it lengthens; I am shaken off like the locust. My knees are weak from fasting, and my flesh has grown lean, without fatness. I also have become a reproach to them; when they see me, they wag their heard. Help me, O Lord my God; save me according you Your loving kindness. And let them know that this is Your hand; You , Lord, have done it. Let them curse, but You bless; when they arise, they shall be ashamed, but your servant shall be glad. Let my accusers be clothed with dishonor, and let them cover themselves with their own shame as with a robe. With my mouth I will give thanks abundantly to the Lord; and in the midst of many I will praise him. For He stands at the right hand of the needy to save him from those who judge his soul.
Amen and Amen!!!
This morning I am praying the following scriptures over the meeting. I would love for you to agree in prayer with me for these or anything else God lays on your heart! This is not a battle against flesh and blood but against the world forces of this darkness (Eph 6:12). This is a battle that will be won or lost based on the willingness of Kingdom warriors to fight on their knees and then follow in obedience to carry out the spiritual victory in the physical world. Please pray with me!
Psalm 10
2, 8-9 ~ In pride the wicked hotly pursue the afflicted; let them be caught in the plots which they have devised...He [the wicked] sits in the lurking places of the villages; in the hiding places he kills the innocent; his eyes stealthily watch for the unfortunate. He lurks in a hiding place as a lion in his lair; he lurks to catch the afflicted; He catches the afflicted when he draws him into his net.
12-18 ~ Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up Your hand. Do not forget the afflicted. Why has the wicked spurned God? He has said to himself, "You will not require it." You have seen it, for You have beheld mischief and vexation to take it into Your hand. The unfortunate commits himself to You; You have been the helper of the orphan. Break the arm of the wicked and the evildoer, seek out his wickedness until You find none. The Lord is King forever and ever; nations have perished from His land. O Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear to vindicate the orphan and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth will no longer cause terror.
Psalm 109
1-13 ~ O God of my praise, do not be silent! For they have opened their wicked and deceitful mouth against me; they have spoken against me with a lying tongue. They have also surrounded me with words of hatred, and fought against me without cause. In return for my love they act as my accusers, but I am in prayer. Thus they have repaid me evil for good and hatred for my love.
Appoint a wicked man over him, and let an accuser stand at this right hand. When he is judged, let him come forth guilty, and let his prayer become sin. Let his days be few; let another take his office. Let his children be fatherless and his wife a widow. Let his children wander about and beg; and let them seek sustenance far from their ruined homes. Let the creditor seize all that he has, and let strangers plunder the product of his labor. Let there be none to extend loving kindness to him, nor any to be gracious to his fatherless children. Let his posterity be cut off; in a following generation let their name be blotted out.
16 ~ Because he did not remember to show loving kindness, but persecuted the afflicted and needy man, and the despondent in heart, to put them to death.
21-31 ~ But You, O God, the Lord, deal kindly with me for Your name's sake; Because Your loving kindness is good, deliver me; For I am afflicted and needy, and my heart is wounded within me. I am passing like a shadow when it lengthens; I am shaken off like the locust. My knees are weak from fasting, and my flesh has grown lean, without fatness. I also have become a reproach to them; when they see me, they wag their heard. Help me, O Lord my God; save me according you Your loving kindness. And let them know that this is Your hand; You , Lord, have done it. Let them curse, but You bless; when they arise, they shall be ashamed, but your servant shall be glad. Let my accusers be clothed with dishonor, and let them cover themselves with their own shame as with a robe. With my mouth I will give thanks abundantly to the Lord; and in the midst of many I will praise him. For He stands at the right hand of the needy to save him from those who judge his soul.
Amen and Amen!!!
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