Archives For Heloise "Lois" Ridley, MBA, MA

2016 Rwanda Trauma Mission – Global Trauma Recovery Institute

Heloise "Lois" Ridley, MBA, MA —  May 27, 2016
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The President of the Rwanda Association of Christian Counselors was a blessing to our Global Trauma Recovery class at the 2016 Community of Practice conference.

This is actually a repost with a special thank you to all who have been supporting this mission both in prayers and donations!!! We are getting close =)

Rwanda Trauma Healing Recovery Team: Will You Pray for Us?

As part of a trauma certificate program, we are in the middle of our last training course and preparing for our Rwanda, Africa immersion trip for trauma recovery this summer; our focus will be domestic abuse. (Yes, I also attend Liberty University for a counseling degree –  and yes I need help, LOL).

Rwanda is the beautiful country well know for recovering from the genocide of 1994 when 800,000 were slaughtered within 100 days. This trip will be a team of counselors and students to continue the working with Rwandan key leaders and direct care workers already serving within their communities to aid recovery.

 

Since the initial 2009 funded by the American Association of Christian Counselors GTRI has been learning from and assisting healing efforts in Rwanda (see the history at the bottom).

I am grateful many are healing from trauma through God’s love, one life at a time.

We would appreciate serious prayers and petitions to Heaven for our team of clinicians and students going to Rwanda in July!  Will you pray for us as we begin our physical preparations, raise thousands of dollars for funding and study? Please also pray that the Holy Spirit will bring healing and growth.

How many youth do you know who have been traumatized and need help? If you know me personally, you know my mission: to love, help and equip young people and their parents who are in trauma, in challenging situations or simply need to grow in Christ .

Photo Courtesy of Heather Drew of GTRI

Photo Courtesy of Heather Drew of GTRI

I would love this opportunity to refine my trauma healing skills with the team in Rwanda… while I continue to partner with God to assist and empower youth and equip parents as I have been called to do for years.

Would you help me serve others?

On this summer’s trip to Rwanda, I would serve alongside mentors and fellow colleagues to bring culturally relevant counseling resources and training to Rwandan caregivers who have been requesting Global Trauma Recovery Institute (GTRI) to continue its annual support, resources and training. The cost of the trip will be approximately $4,900 but I will submit $3,500 by May 14, 2016. The team and I are working together to raise the core funds needed. Therefore, I am humbly asking you to consider joining me in this partnership.

To Donate:

Credit Card Donation: go to website http://www.biblical.edu/index.php/give-a-gift/give-a-gift-donation

giving tab…. Donate now red tab…. fill out the form…. purpose Global Trauma Recovery Institute…. responding to other…. comment Heloise Ridley GTRI 2016 Immersion.

 Tax Deductible Check: made payable and mailed to: The Father’s House Christian Fellowship, 580 Victoria Ct., Pen Argyl, PA 18072 check memo Heloise Ridley: GTRI 2016 Immersion.

 

Photo Courtesy of Heather Drew

Photo Courtesy of Heather Drew of GTRI

History of Global Trauma Recovery Institute Projects in Rwanda Since 2009

(Background info from GTRI)

In 2009 Drs Diane Langberg and Philip Monroe led a small listening trip funded by the American Association of Christian Counselors.

Soon this project was titled, Project Tuza. Dialogue with government officials (heads of departments of health, education, justice, etc.) and key Anglican bishops led to invitations to bring basic trauma recovery training to the country and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between AACC and the Government of Rwanda.

 

With funding from WorldVision donors and AACC members, Project Tuza completed its responsibilities with training trips in 2011 and 2013.

 

Project Tuza from Andrew Bilindabagabo on Vimeo.

Since 2013 Biblical Seminary’s Global Trauma Recovery Institute has provided the leadership in adding to the original training with partnerships formed with the Bible Society of Rwanda and the birth of the Rwanda Association of Christian Counselors.

Trips in 2014 and 2015 brought together GTRI students along with Rwandan caregivers for mutual learning about the problem of domestic violence, addictions, suicide and other trauma related issues.

In Trauma Healing Recovery , , , , ,
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Life Moment: Minis Video – Show Kids to Learn About New Life

Heloise "Lois" Ridley, MBA, MA —  April 4, 2016


I showed the minis the Psalm 119:93 verse shown below and asked them to tell me what they believe it means.

I won’t ever forget
your teachings,
because you give me new life
by following them.

Psalm 119:93 CEV

They were entrenched in a game of basketball in our kitchen and you may hear that in the background!

Have a blessed day!

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In Devotions, Encouragement ,
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7 Lessons for Trauma and Crisis Healing Learned @ Global COP

Heloise "Lois" Ridley, MBA, MA —  April 2, 2016

Global COP

Hello again,

I posted on my Parent and Family Support Facebook Page about this. I learned so much at the Trauma Healing Institute’s (THI) annual event: Global Community of Practice. I was grateful we as students of Global Trauma Recovery Institute (GTRI) were allowed to attend as part of our immersion trauma training.  Our professors Dr. Diane Langberg and Dr. Phil Monroe are leaders in TRI and support its mission:

“The Trauma Healing Institute at American Bible Society is equipping people, churches, and NGOs around the world to care for the more than one in seven people worldwide who suffer severe wounds of the heart and spirit in the aftermath of conflict, disaster or abuse.”

American Bible Society: 7 Lessons from the Global Community of Practice National Reports

These and many more tips I learned from attendees who reported updates and trauma healing testimonies from almost every continent.

National representative shared how they implemented the Healing the Wounds of Trauma: How the Church Can Help (HWT) curriculum for adults and children which has been translated in 173 languages for recovery training workshops in 68 countries for lay and professional caregivers as well as support interventions to aid refugees and others who have suffered trauma from war, immigration, conflict, natural disasters, extreme poverty, violence, domestic abuse, rape and other losses.

  1. It can be done! There are many unsung heroes in the world who work with God to bring drastic or even subtle reform in people’s lives. They may work with groups but its often done helping one hurting person at a time.

  2. Culturally relevant interventions help heal invisible and sometimes secret emotional trauma wounds for survivors and victims… (HWT) is a great example.

  3. To be effective in trauma support: it is critical to listen to their perspective first. Listen. Listen and then listen some more before offering suggestions or opinions.

  4. Many wounds are helped by encouraging and allowing trauma survivors and children in crisis to tell their story and receive compassionate listening and validation. WOW!

  5. Multiplication with God is effective for ministry: The THI organization tries to not only help individuals but also utilize training weeks to equip new support providers who will then work to become facilitators.

  6. Some national reports (including the US)  left you weeping and were difficult to even listen to let alone imagine how the survivors endure. So many in our are suffering horribly in complex situations and we do not have clear answers. We each need to help trauma survivors and victims in any way we can with long-term effort.  

  7. Testimonies were inspiring and reminded us that it is worth persevering to heal trauma wounds. The integration of the Bible and Psychology is effective medicine.

     

It was a room full of heroes as far as I am concerned. Many pictures I still cannot share.  It was a blessing to hear God’s work through Healing the Wounds of Trauma curriculum which has been adopted in numerous cultures and languages around the globe.

Hearing worship in various languages at the same time was perhaps the most delicious part of the event. I cannot express in words how fabulous it was. I saw some friends wiping their eyes afterwards too so I get the impression I was not the only one touched.

Now, I am wondering how HWT has been used to help trauma and crisis victims and survivors who are Children and Youth in the US? Mmmmm….

If you know PLEASE share your wealth of knowledge =) You can use the comments or the contact form below for my inbox.

 

Blessings to you today,

Heloise

 

 

In Human Trafficking, Trauma Healing Recovery, Trauma Informed Care
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Remembering the Human Trafficked Girls in Athens, Greece 

Heloise "Lois" Ridley, MBA, MA —  February 24, 2016

  
This image was actually taken in Athens, Greece when I was with a group of fellow students at Nea Zoi Ministries summer 2015.  Nea Zoi and Threads of Hope Ministries faithfully love those in need one by one. 

Beyond this street begins “The Red light district” where prostitution is legal. Women and children are human trafficked there from parts of Europe, Africa and other locations. It is disgusting. The dilapidated buildings are painted with pretty colors that cannot disguise the chains that you see across the windows. Ironically the black statue in the middle of the square on the left of the picture is called “The fallen angel” and points directly to the beginning of the district were girls and women are trapped and used for profit and tourism. 

Yet God has a plan of deliverance for these ladies….one by one. The Gospel can give them the confidence and healing they need but action needs to be taken. By us. 

Certainly we need to spend ourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed women and girls. Part of we are called to do includes faithful prayer. Can we please pray together for the Lord’s guidance? 

Lord please help us not to forget those who are hungry and oppressed. Show us what to do Lord. Please help us to put our faith into daily action because “faith without works is dead”.

Please encourage those suffering girls and women. Show them your true love and faithfulness God.  I pray your light will shine in that darkness Lord.

Just as you ended legal slavery in the United States and people like me can be free Lord you can do it again. Please set the captives free. Use us Lord to do our part.
In Jesus name amen. 

In Human Trafficking, Uncategorized ,
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Anti Trafficking Missions & Prison Ministry 2015 – Video Links

Heloise "Lois" Ridley, MBA, MA —  February 21, 2016

Shining Light Ministries Impact tour – New England, USA

College students selected from across the country offer 12 Impact Events, delivering a powerful, relevant, multi-media message of hope in correctional facilities throughout the US.

The largest Christian performing arts production offered in US prisons. Interactions shatter stereotypes & walls between “us” and “them”.

Lasting impact reported from the corrections officials.

http://shining-light.com/programs/impact-tour/


(Promo video)

Jwear = “NOT IN MY CITY” Anti Human Trafficking Tour – Miami and South Carolina, USA

Human Trafficking is not just a huge issue to address in other countries but it is a deadly virus in communities of America. Jwear is in the fight in Easton, PA.

The mission of Jwear is to teach kids and young adults how to run a successful clothing business, giving them the opportunity to succeed.

These awesome young people design clothing, art, and crafts. They then help sell them in their shop in Easton, where the kids learn management skills.

The goal is to have a company run by kids who would not otherwise have this opportunity.

http://www.jwear.org/

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Jwear Anti Human Trafficking – T-shirts to Order

Iris Harvest School of Missions – Mozambique, Africa

Preparation for harvesting the nations.

3 Month missionary training school with Mozambican pastors and leaders trained by Heidi and Rolland Baker as well as other international ministers and missionaries.

Extended evangelistic outreaches in local bush area.

Lived with hundreds of children at the Iris Global Village of Joy to experience the Father’s heart.

http://www.irisglobal.org/missions/harvest/

Update on Flooding in Mozambique and Malawi from IRIS Global on Vimeo.

Campus Crusade for Christ – Australia, Melbourne

5 week Outreach

5 College Campuses /Launching spiritual movements

Melbourne is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world, and boasts world-renown universities with students from all over the Pacific Rim.

Many have never heard the Gospel, and only 1% are considered evangelical Christians.

Team helped build up a sending force to reach the rest of the world.

https://www.cru.org/opportunities/mission-trips/summer/explore/destinations.html?tripid=394

Ballet Magnificat – Jackson, Mississippi

2 Week Summer Dance Intensive

Annually attracts hundreds of students from around the world.

High level workshop comprised of intense technical and spiritual training, conducted by the artists of Ballet Magnificat’s professional touring companies and staff who guide the young dancers to develop their potential and seek God’s direction for their lives.

Classes offered in ballet, pointe, variations (Ballet Magnificat repertoire), pas de deux, jazz, conditioning, and improvisation.

In addition, the schedule includes daily chapel and small group discipleship.


(promo video)

Anti–Human Trafficking with Nea Zoi and Threads of Hope, Athens Greece

Ministry opportunity to learn from Nea Zoi (New Life) and Threads of Hope (sewing business for survivors) Ministries in Athens, Greece through Liberty University Group Counseling course.

Street ministry and prayer walks in “red light district” ,

Bible study with Greek volunteers and classes on human trafficking and prostitution by Nea Zoi leadership.

Greece is a key transit and destination country for many women and children who are being trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation originating primarily from Eastern Europe and Soviet Bloc countries Nigeria, and Brazil.

Nea Zoi serves as a refuge to women and men enslaved in the human trafficking industry through the “local church and community… other populations are served by the ministry as well.


(personal reflections)

Bible studies outreach, Easton, PA

Conducted informally and spontaneously.

Met with various friends at several locations to teach them the Word of God.

Matthew: 14-16 (MSG)

14-16 “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world.
God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill.
If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you?
I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine!
Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
In Human Trafficking
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