Eggs and baskets have been a hot topic lately. Joann, a young African woman, put all her eggs in an “Italy” basket. A woman she met brought her to Italy to work. Joann did not know she would be working in prostitution. She worked the streets until about four months ago when a client beat her severely. She points to the black silver-dollar-sized scar on her thin brown forearm—a permanent physical reminder of the nightmare she has lived here.

That is all she will tell me about her past. Most women like her have undergone a voodoo ritual before leaving Africa and believe they will die if they talk about what has happened to them. She might have been a victim of human trafficking, but without talking, she cannot enter Italy’s protection and integration program.

When I ask about residency documents, Joann pulls out a worn photocopy showing that she was to have an appointment at the immigration office in Milan, Italy, two years ago. She clings to it as if it proves she exists. She explains that she paid a man who said he would help her get asylum, but after he gave her that paper, she never heard from him again. The now-fragile white paper represents a typical scam. It is virtually impossible for people from Joann’s country to get asylum here, and there was probably no appointment. The paper was no help either time the police picked her up for being “undocumented.” The folded photocopy is just one more cracked egg, but, since it is all she has, she doesn’t throw it out.

Joann came to Padua to stay with Emmanuel (her brother’s friend) and Victoria and Sam (Emmanuel’s aunt and uncle) for Easter. They are leaders in a church with whom we work. Realizing that something was not right about Joann’s situation, they asked her about it and she opened up to them. They are giving her a safe place to stay until we can find some options for her. (Never mind that Victoria lost her job in November and Sam’s and Emmanuel’s hours have been cut back. As long as there is something to share, our African brothers and sisters share it!)

The fact that Joann is emotionally strong enough to expose as much as she has about her situation is a good sign. She must be a hard egg to crack! Even with her limited understanding of God and God’s image within her, she knows that no human being should have to sell herself. Although she is timid and often looks at her feet while we talk, there are signs of new life in her: Yesterday, she ran down the street to meet me with a big smile on her face when I needed help finding the way to the family’s house again. Then, she laughed with me when, not knowing Victoria’s and Sam’s family name, we had to call them on my cell phone to ask them to let us in the building.

We have been in touch with three different programs that might offer some long-term assistance to Joann. But it is virtually impossible for her to get residency documents without her telling her whole story. Hopefully, soon she will have some fresh new eggs—new hope and dreams-- to put in a basket of new life.

In a time when many of us could be tempted to pout over our cracked nest eggs, God opens new doors and challenges us to invest in new life. It is a daily choice to participate in the abundant life God has for us and wants us to share with women like Joann.

Participate with us in prayer and in giving. Remember that gifts ($200 or more) to International Ministries directed for our support from first-time donors (individuals, groups, or churches who have not given in our name in the last 3 years) can be matched by the Luther Rice Matching Gift Fund if sent directly to International Ministries by June 30th. See below for details.

May the joy of the resurrection be yours today!

Your missionaries,

Debbie (along with Jim, Luke and Ben) Kelsey

What is the LRS (Luther Rice Society) Matching Gift Fund? The LRS Matching Gift Fund is the result of the vision of several Luther Rice Society members who passionately believe in the power of International Ministries missionary presence in the world to help people come to Christ, grow in Christ and change their worlds with Christ. The Fund will strengthen IM’s missionary presence now and into the future by inviting new persons to get involved and give financial support.

The Luther Rice Society is named after Luther Rice (1783-1836) who dedicated his life to raise support for the first wave of Baptist missionaries sent out in the early 1800s beginning with Adoniram and Ann Judson to Burma. American Baptist International Ministries created the Luther Rice Society in 2001 to recognize donors who have made leadership gifts of $1,000 - $100,000+ annually to carry out the Great Commission through the raising of missionary support following the precedent established by Luther Rice almost 200 years ago.

How do I have my gift doubled? Send a check or pledge for monthly donations totaling $200-$2000 directly to the International Ministries office between now and June 30, 2009. At the end of June they will be matched dollar for dollar by the LRS Matching Gift Fund.

Indicate which missionary you would like to support and you will become a member of their Missionary Partnership Network. You will receive regular reports on their work and information on how you can be more directly involved in their ministry.

Give on line at www.internationalministries.org/donate or send your check or pledge directly to: International Ministries PO Box 851 Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851 NAME______________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS____________________________________________________________________ CITY/STATE___________________________________________________________________ ZIP________________________________________________________________________ PHONE____________________________________________________________________ EMAIL____________________________________________________________________ MISSIONARY I WISH TO SUPPORT __________________________________

I am enclosing a check of $200 - $2000 ___ OR I am pledging to give ___ per month between March 1 and June 30, 2009 (Total of monthly pledges amounts to $200 - $2,000) Your gifts received by June 30, 2009 will be matched dollar for dollar as long as funds remain in the LRS matching gift fund. First Come, First Served.