From A2D Blog

South Africa Update January 2011

2011-01-11T05:30:00.000-08:00

Our flight to South Africa was long and tiring as you can see from the photo of Jordan and Isaac below. We flew overnight from Philly to London, landing at Heathrow Airport in time for breakfast on 17 Nov. 2010. What you may not be able to tell from the photo is we sold or gave away almost everything we owned and this is also a picture of all of our worldly possessions stuffed into 12 bags and 4 carryons!!

Our layover in London was almost 12 hours so we took the train and went downtown to do the tourist thing for the day. We had a proper British breakfast and then took the tube to see the sights… Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, etc. and we got the aerial view on The Eye (which is in the photo behind Jordan and Isaac). All of us took our winter coats as carryons and we were glad for our decision because it was really cold in London. Well, fatigue set in quickly and by mid afternoon we were on our way back to Heathrow.

Our flight left London at supper time and arrived in Cape Town in time for breakfast in South Africa. What a difference 8,000 kilometers makes!! As we settled into our apartment in Fish Hoek, just outside of Cape Town, we also settled into the beginning of summer and beach life! Our apartment is only a 30 second walk from the Indian Ocean waters of False Bay.

Jordan and Isaac have joined a beach program called Nippers. It is a beach lifesaving and is a highly athletic program. The boys and girls are organized by age group for push ups, running on the beach, swimming, and a variety of ocean stuff like boogie boards, wave boards, kayaks, surf skis and motorized inflatables. All of the beach communities have a club and they compete about once a month. By the time the kids reach the age of 16 they are certified ocean lifeguards.

We are truly living in one of the most beautiful areas in the world!! Every time you look outside there are gorgeous views in any direction you turn. We have asked many people who have lived here 10, 15 or 25 years “Do you ever get tired of the views?” and the answer is always the same “No, they still take my breath away.” As I said earlier, the beach is a 30 second walk from our apartment, but I didn’t add that in 2 minutes of walking we are in the mountains, and in a 15 minute drive we have crossed from the Indian Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean!

Here we are on a walk (they call them walks not hikes here) up to Elsie’s Peak. The walk was about 4km one way. From various places we had views of the Indian Ocean and as we got near the summit we had views of both the Indian and the Atlantic Oceans at the same time. We sat on boulders at the peak for a picnic lunch and looked down at a helicopter flying around the town of Glencairn below us!!

God has blessed us with many friends in such a short time in a new country and a new town. Our good friend Rod Shiers came down from Joburg for 6 days in late November. We were blessed to attend the wedding of Gershwin and Magdalene Nehemiah on 27 November. Gershwin is a friend I met in March 2010 and he leads the From Addict to Disciple groups in Pollsmoor Prison in Tokai. We have checked out several churches in the area and every time we went to church we were invited to lunch or dinner with someone from church! We have also met several missionary families from Ohio, Oregon, South Africa, Canada, Norway, etc. who are currently serving in this area or they are here on an extended furlough seeking God’s next step for their lives. We spent Christmas day with a family who spent years ministering in a baby house in the northeast corner of South Africa. Pictured above with us is the Van Harmelen family from Joburg. They are dear friends who we stayed with for 5 weeks in 2009 and they drove down to Cape Town to spend the 3 days during holidays with us.

As we look ahead to the coming weeks, we expect to begin what will be more of our regular routine. Jordan and Isaac’s school year starts on 17 January 2011. I have had many networking meetings regarding the ministry and my full credentials for Pollsmoor Prison will be ready in less than a week. From the tent making perspective I should begin doing some one on one counseling and holding an A2D group in the Fish Hoek area by the end of January. Several people have expressed an interest in being trained to lead groups in the prisons and in the townships so we will also be looking to start an outreach into Masiphulele and Ocean View. In addition I will be working to expand the website to include a membership section which would provide online training courses and addiction groups and a shopping cart feature. Before the end of March, I should be going to Joburg to train people there for the expansion of the ministry into the prisons and communities in that area. Finally, I’ll be doing some editing of my first two books in preparation for having them printed here and writing my next two books, one based on the book of John and one focused on sexual addictions.

We ask for your ongoing prayers as we serve here in South Africa. Thank you so much for the Christmas cards we received. We wish all of you a blessed and joyous New Year.
Dave, Shawn, Jordan and Isaac Hain

PS. I haven't figured out how to properly place the photos with the text, hope you could figure out what each one is!!

Back to South Africa!

2010-02-09T19:47:00.000-08:00

WOW!!! God continues to do amazing things as HE opens doors for our ministry in South Africa. On Feb.27th I'll be flying to Johannesburg and meeting up with my dear friend Rod Shiers. The two of us will then drive down to Capetown and introduce the From Addict to Disciple curriculum in Pollsmoor Prison. (to learn about the prison see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vm9jkYWoZIA ) This prison is well known for having the toughest gangs around. We'll be ministering every day the first week of March.

Then we will fly back to Johannesburg to continue the ministry that has been ongoing for a year in Krugersdorp and Leeukop Prisons. The fruit there has been amazing!! Rod will be baptizing somewhere between 25 and 50 inmates this coming Sunday! PRAISE THE LORD for His faithfulness and His heart and life changing interventions into our lives!!! I will fly back to the US on March 19th landing at 6AM on the
20th.

I ask for your prayers for God's move in the prisons. Also keep Shawn, Jordan and Isaac in prayer while I am gone. Thank you for your faithful support of our ministry and our family.

New Group Meeting Locations

2010-01-03T20:07:00.000-08:00

As we enter 2010, God has taken 'Etsah Ministries to a position of repositioning for growth and expansion. We have closed our office on Hess Rd. in Leola, PA as God has sharpened our focus on groups versus 1 on 1 counseling. In doing so God has opened doors in various locations around Lancaster County.

The new meeting locations and times are:
- Every Tuesday at 6PM for men at The Potter's House, 17 Hoover Lane, Leola, PA
- Every Tuesday at 6PM for women at Life Awakenings, Mt. Sidney Rd., Witmer, PA
- Every Wednesday at 3:15PM men and women at City Gate Lancater, 218 N.Duke St. Lancaster, PA.

We ask for your prayers as we shift to these new locations. Also for prayer we have been invited to hold groups at churches in Mt. Joy and Quarryville, PA. Please pray for wisdom and God's timing as we expand.

God Works in Mysterious Ways

2009-09-21T18:43:00.000-07:00

As we minister to men with sexual offense charges and/or convictions in Lancaster County Prison we see their need for: 1) an address when they get released (but many do not have families welcoming them with open doors and most rehabs and Christian residential programs will not accept them), 2) a job (but many employers will not hire men with sexual offenses)and 3)Christian fellowship (but Probation Officers and secular counseling agencies are prohibiting them from attending church even if they are not listed under Megan's Law). In addition, many men feel they are not getting enthusiastic and compassionate representation from their Public Defender in court.

Below is a letter I received today from an inmate in Lancaster County Prison after our one on one session on Friday September 18th was cut short:

Hey Dave!
God does work in mysterious ways. Obviously, He knew our meeting was going to get cut short today...and He also knew what was awaiting me later in the day. So apparently, in His infinite wisdom, He saw fit to free you up from my lengthy dialogue so I could complete the story in a letter...I guess!

My "Twilight Zone" life continues.... I think I told you that the judge rejected a pre-arranged plea agreement which was exactly in the middle of the sentencing guidelines?! ... and that somehow - strangely - I was at peace with this even with the knowledge that this would mean a state sentence for me. My last impression on the day of court was that: in a couple of months; I'd hear more.

Well... at about 4:30PM (this same day 9/18) I was called for a legal visit. I really had no idea what to expect on a Friday after court hours. Low and behold... my public defender! Something moved him to take this matter to the president judge. Not only is he going to accept the agreement, but it seems that due to the stumbling that took place, other points of importance which may have been lost in the hasty first appearance, will likely be addresses and received. In essence this would include immediate work-release and judicial approval of church attendance.

Granted this is not all finalized as yet, but my public defender was even apologetic to me for not being attentive enough to my pleas and concerns... AND even paid me a compliment by recognizing and stating that I am unlike most that he is forced to deal with. This he did as I tried to apologize to him for being so difficult. Very different...very strange... very COOL!

So, back to my opening statement: God does work in mysterious ways! Regardless of the final outcome... He's obviously working. Halellujah!

P.S. You know you're free to share any of this as a praise report to encourage others, if you so desire... with my appreciation and blessings!

We at 'Etsah Ministries pray that you have been blessed by this letter. Feel free to contact us by email or phone from wherever you are. We are always willing to listen and respond as God leads and from any experience and resources we have to offer.

From Addicts to Disciples

2009-08-24T08:32:00.000-07:00

It’s Wednesday afternoon and the inmates from G-1 Block are gathering for the weekly From Addict to Disciple Group in Lancaster County Prison led by David Hain and myself. The meeting is opened with prayer then there is an opportunity to share prayer requests and praise reports. This gives the guys an opportunity to share what is happening in their lives, their struggles, their victories and concerns for families, court dates, and whatever else is on their mind. Often we play music that draws our hearts to God’s love and grace in our lives.

Then comes the main part of our group session; discussing what God has to say through his word about addiction and how to overcome it. Currently we are working through the Gospel of John, chapter by chapter, so see what Jesus has to say about the subject. After watching the chapter on the Visual Bible DVD, the men share what stood out to them and spoke to their heart. This past week we were discussing in Chapter 14 how Jesus and the Father want to make their home in us. We agreed that if we could live in that reality, our lives would be transformed. After 2 hours, the meeting is ended with prayer. In addition to this group, David holds another men’s group on Friday morning and David and Kathy Paxton hold a group for women on Wednesdays.

Dave and I consider it an opportunity to share our hearts with these men as they are on their journey to freedom. Their honesty, desperation and desire for change is refreshing. Because of the consequences of their addiction, they are forced to look at what has controlled and destroyed their lives. Unlike many of us, they cannot hide who they really are. It is out open for all to see.

Gerald May describes addiction as a state of compulsion, obsession or preoccupation that enslaves a person’s will and desire. Addictions include things such as drugs, alcohol, pornography, gambling, food, shopping, just to name just a few. We believe that addiction is a spiritual battle. Our particular addiction is medicating a wound or hurt that is in our lives. Instead of looking to God to meet all of our needs, we try to fill the void with other things. Often as a result of these wounds, we end up believing lies about ourselves, God, and life and make bad choices. In the groups and one-on-one sessions, we look to identify these wounds and ask God to bring healing to our hearts. We talk about what it means to be a godly man and how to make godly choices. We also discuss the importance of true fellowship; finding five godly men who will speak honestly and lovingly into their lives.

On Tuesday evenings, two From Addict to Disciple Groups (one for the men and one for the women) are held at the Etsah Ministries offices in Leola, PA. Etsah is an addictions ministry that meets the state’s requirement for drug and alcohol counseling and fulfills the requirements of parole and probation. The goal of this group is to provide folks with an opportunity for fellowship and a safe place to be honest about their journey. Often families of addicts attend to understand what is happening in the lives of their loved ones.

Recently David, the founder and director of Etsah Ministries, had the opportunity to take the From Addict to Disciple Program to South Africa. Over 200 prisons are open and wanting to get involved. For more information: www.etsahministries.org/

Back in the US, Back in the US, Back in the US..A

2009-08-01T14:21:00.000-07:00

Just a play on an old song title to see if anyone catches it.

We landed at Dulles Airport a little after 6AM on the 31st of July. Our processing through baggage claim took a while as Isaac's bag is lost and we had to file the claim and fill out the forms. Shawn's parents picked us up and drove us home. SO with a stop off for breakfast we were home before noon. Jetlag and the time difference began to settle in and by suppertime we were ready for bed.

Our last week in South Africa was awesome. The service on Sunday July 26th in Tembisa township was a real blessing to all of us. Pastor Vincent Mathews and his wife Cheryl and 8 of their 10 kids (missionaries from Detroit) minister at Tabernacle COGIC Church. They have a permanent building for offices and Sunday School and a big tent for the sanctuary. It's easy to preach in a setting where everyone is full of life and energy and praisin' Jesus!

That evening we were treated to a variety of Indian food as guest's at the home of a family from Acts Christian Church. It was fabulous and their hospitality was amazing! They gave us generous amounts to take home as leftovers and then made another dish we hadn't tried and delivered it to us on Tuesday!

The last week in Krugersdorp and Leeukop prisons each of the groups were special. Men came forward to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, men shared testimonies of how their lives had changed, new men joined the groups and stated "I had to come and see what was going on when I saw how much these guys had changed!", and one man shared his vision for taking the From Addict to Disciple group approach back into the communities when he gets released! The officials at Krugersdorp have agreed to take some pictures of the group and email them to me.

On Friday the 24th of July, Jordan and Isaac ministered in another preschool in Tembisa township. What a delight for me as their dad to watch them share their love for Jesus, a skit, a song, several stories and a craft with 35 smiling and laughing young children loving every minute of it!

On Monday and Tuesday we checked out two Christian schools in the area and toured their facilities. This was very helpful as we have a real understanding of options for Jordan and Isaac in case we move there.

On Tuesday evening group at Acts Christian Church had a braai (barbecue) where we all got to share Afrikaan boerwors (sausage). One man's mom brought some Indian food and all the guys brought a variety of snacks and beverages. It was a great night of fellowship and ended with sharing of testimonies.

Wednesday evening we had a wonderful meal and family time of fellowhip with Pastor Vincent and Cheryl and their family at their home. It was a fitting ending to our month to spend time with an American missionary family who had lived their for 5 years. We got to ask many of our questions about long term visas, health insurance, etc. as well as compare notes on American sports with a family of Detroit Lions fans!

We have so many people to thank for how they blessed us during our month in Midrand, South Africa. Rod & Sharon, Gerard and Tiana, Pastor Peter, Pastor Vincet & Cheryl, Kyle, Mark, Dhaneshree's family and all of our new friends at Acts Christian Church, Tabernacle COGIC Church, and at the prisons. Also thanks to all of you who have been faithful prayer warriors for us as we have been in South Africa.

Prayer Requests 23 July 2009

2009-07-23T07:01:00.000-07:00

A quick update for prayer requests:
1) Keep Steve Martin and Kathy Paxton in prayer as they continue the ministry in Lancaster, PA while we're in South Africa.
2) Our office in Leola, PA was broken into a couple of days ago. Pray that God stirs in the mind and heart of whoever broke in. Pray that God draws them closer to Him with His love.
3) Jordan and Isaac will be ministering at another preschool in Tembisa on Friday July 24th.
4) Dave will be teaching a 3 hour workshop for Christian counselors in the area on Saturday July 25th.
5) Dave will be preaching at Tabernacle COGIC Church in Tembisa on Sunday July 26th.
6) Ongoing ministry at the prisons on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and the group at Acts Christian Church on Tuesday night.

Preaching 4 services plus in South Africa

2009-07-23T06:50:00.000-07:00

Wow!! What an awesome experience to preach 4 services in a weekend. One Saturday night at 6 PM, then three on Sunday at 8AM, 9:30AM and 11AM. It was amazing the way God moved. I prayed for God's heart for the congregation at Acts Christian Church and felt strong about there Scriptures that He took me to.

At the Saturday evening service I shared my testimony and then preached the Word that God had given me. His presence was evident as over 30 people came forward for prayer to be set free from addictions! I woke up Sunday morning and expected the same as Saturday night. Boy was I surprised!

Each service was different in the exact content of what I shared and in the response! It all fit in the same theme but I was awestruck at God's heart to tweak His message to fit the people at each service. The last service really blew me away! God's presence and anointing was so heavy. There were about 600 people there and about 2/3 were in tears with many sobbing vocally. PRAISE GOD for His love for us!

Just an incredible side note about the move of God at Acts Christian Church in Midrand. They are a church with cell groups for everyone and every cell group focused on outreach and evangelism. As a result they have had over 400 people accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior on the streets this year and more than 300 are now members of their church and activley involved in new believer cell groups!!! How's that for taking Jesus to your city and taking your city for Jesus??

More family fun

2009-07-18T06:36:00.000-07:00

We're about half way through our trip to South Africa now. The length of time has been so nice because we have not been rushed with anything. We are able to take time just to relax or for the boys just to play here with their friends. The two girls who live where we're staying are off school now until we leave. They are home schooled and their Mother has decided that since they and our boys are playing so nicely they can take a break from school while we're here. So they are together playing almost all day long.

We have done many fun things with this family. They our showing us many wonderful places to go. Last night around 8:00 we went to a restaurant with a star show. It was so unique and amazing. First of all, the dinner was delicious and the restaurant was warm and cozy with a fire burning. But the unique part was each table took turns going outside and looking through an old Nasa telescope while getting a lesson from an astronomer about what you were looking at. We went out about five times to look at different stars and planets. We all really enjoyed it.

This morning we went to Mandella square to celebrate Nelson Mandella's 91st birthday. They had a free 67 minute concert to celebrate the 67 years of service he gave to this country. The concert was fun. We sat on bean bag chairs during the concert. They had face painting, jugglers, and other fun stuff for the kids including making Mandella a birthday card.

I can hardly believe the ways that we have been blessed while here. The place that we are staying is amazing and having friends for the boys to play with is such an unexpected and wonderful blessing. We are really being taken care of by people here. We have a car to drive, a GPS to use (thank goodness, we had no idea how helpful they were), we have friends who are willing to drop what they would do and take us sightseeing (Rod and Sharon have been amazing).
A few days ago we had lunch with friends at a Medditeranian restaurant. For 7 Rand they would bring you a plate to break. Jordan took advantage of that and got many cheers as he broke his plate right where we were all eating.
All in all we've had great food, good latte's, wonderful friendships, and many fun adventures. We are really looking forward to the rest of the trip.

Prayer Requests

2009-07-17T04:44:00.000-07:00

We've decided to begin using the blog as our spot for timely prayer requests. We will delete the old ones as we put on new ones.

Here's some as of Friday 17th of July from South Africa:
1) Dave preaches four sermons this weekend at Acts Christian Church in Midrand, South Africa.
2) Dave preaches at Tabernacle Church of God in Christ (COGIC) in Tembisa township, South Africa on Sunday July 26th.
3) Ongoing ministry for Shawn and the boys at the townships.
4) Wisdom and ears to hear as we sift through the contacts, opportunities, open doors, and relationships we have in South Africa and search for God's will for our family.

Thanks for your prayers,
Dave, Shawn, Jordan and Isaac

A Stomach Bug Meets a Loving Wife

2009-07-17T03:59:00.000-07:00

During supper on July 9th I began to feel sick. I hardly ate anything at all. I ended up going to bed early and figured I'd feel better in the morning. Boy was I wrong!

When I woke up on the 10th of July I was achey, weak, my fever was up to 103.9F, I had diarrhea, felt nauseas and could not eat anything! That lasted all day Friday the 10th and Saturday the 11th. My fever would go up to 104F and then down to 95.3F. (I didn't even know it could go that low!) I alternated between moaning and groaning, crying out to God to heal me, pleading with Jesus to touch me and falling asleep to a variety of crazy dreams and purple light shows!!

Shawn and the boys took turns praying for me. Rod came by and prayed for me and brought some "lemon-med," sort of like Theraflu I think. It would knock the fever down for a few hours at a time. I prayed for me. Then on Saturday evening while everyone was off at church, Gerard, (the man who lives in the main house of the estate, aka our host) came busting into our cottage and said "Shawn has given me permission to take you to the doctor!"

The next minute we were off to the doctor's office. Within minutes he was checking me out and putting me on an IV drip to deal with my dehydration. He gave me a homeopathic thing and sent Gerard to buy some electrolyte drinks to get me boosted in that way. Then he wrote two prescriptions, one for an antibiotic for the "stomach bug" and one for a probiotic for the diarrhea. He asked me to hold off on the scripts til Sunday afternoon as he felt I should respond well without them.

I went home still weak, but hopeful for maybe the first time in 48 hours. I had a fairly restful evening but was not really getting any better. Then on Sunday Shawn and the boys had a fairly full day scheduled with our host family so off they went. I assured Shawn that I would be fine. Well as soon as they left I began to feel worse. Another day in bed with crazy dreams, purple lights, diarrhea, etc. The doctor called and instructed me to begin the prescriptions.

I began to pray again "But God I need to be healed to be able to minister here in Africa." "God are you listening?" But it seemed like I was getting worse with each prayer. "God do you even care?" Self-pity and despair were deepening. Finally I felt like just giving up on all I was doing, the prayer, the rehydrating fluids, etc. and to wait for God to do what He wanted to do whenver He got around to it. (I know it's not pretty, but it's honest!)

Just then Shawn came in the bedroom. I told her what was going on. She left and quickly returned with the laptop computer. As she gently held my hand, she began to play a playlist of music for me that she was picking on the spot. First was When I Don't Know What to Do by Tommy Walker. Well the next thing I knew I had tears in my eyes as I raised a hand in worship to my Lord and Savior. Shawn assured me that I would begin to feel better in the morning.

God had sent His answer in the form of love, a loving wife to show His love. She gave me the personal touch, the words of encouragement, and the music to lift my spirit. Later that evening God took me to Proverbs 18:22 "He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord." I praised God and thanked him for my wife. Then He took me to Matthew 19:16-17 "Now behold, one came and said to Him, 'Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?' So He said to him, 'Why do you call me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.' "

And God assured me that I had found a God thing when He sent me Shawn as my wife and that He will continue to pour out His love for me through her!! Amen!

Needless to say, I was beginning to feel better as I awoke on Monday. Still very weak but better. My fever was gone and I felt some strength coming back into my body. God made me strong enough to go to the prisons on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, coming home and taking long naps both afternoons. Also I was able to go to the Addict to Disciple group at Acts Christian Church on Tuesday night. PRAISE THE LORD for His faithfulness!

I've gotten stronger each day and I can say I now feel fully recovered. So, if you ever get a strange stomach bug...introduce him to a loving wife!

Amazing Ministry in South Africa!

2009-07-08T06:10:00.000-07:00

Wow! Has God knocked my socks off already or what!!

In just our first week here God has bombarded us with favor, blessing and incredible open doors! It started with an invitation to Leeukop Prison for a special service arranged by the chaplain in the maximum security block. In recent weeks there has been an inmate suicide, a member (corrections officer) who shot his wife and himself, and the sudden heart attack death of a young athletic member. The members asked for chaplains and spiritual workers who volunteer in the prison to have a prayer service for them!!

What an incredible service! The service was held in the gym inside the maximum security part of the prison. Over 60 members came and their were 6 pastors. After a time of praise and worship, prayer, and a brief sermon, one of the pastors led the members in spiritual warfare to come against the spirits of death, despair, anger, hopelessness, frustration, etc. that were running rampant in the prison. We prayed for the Christian members to be His light in the prison and to walk in the spiritual authority that God had given them as Christians with the authority as members in the corrections center.

To close the service a call was made for any members who had not accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and 13 members came forward! Praise the Lord! After that the members asked the six of us pastors and the chaplain to anoint them with oil and pray for specific requests that they had. More than 3/5 of the members present came forward for this anointing prayer! What an amazing blessing it was for me as tears streamed down my face at the realization of how God is moving in the prisons in South Africa.

Oh and I forgot to mention...before the service started, on our way to the gym, the member who was in charge of solitary confinement where the suicide happened asked us to come into the cell where the suicide occured. He had not assigned anyone else to this cell as he was waiting for pastors to come to pray inside the cell and anoint it. On our way out of the cell I was asked by his supervisor to pray for and anoint the member's work station in the solitary block!

That was just the beginning! The next invitation was from Krugersdorp Prison to attend a two day training workshop on Restorative Justice. This was put on by the head of Prison Fellowship (Chuck Colson's ministry) for South Africa. It is an incredible program which has been officially endorsed by the government of South Africa. One aspect of the Restorative Justice initiative is the Sycamore Tree Project. This is an 8 week program to bring healing and restoration to offenders and victims based on Zacchaeus' encounter with Jesus in Luke 19. I have been trained and given the resources to lead this program in prisons and churches and I believe it will be a great fit with what we are already doing in 'Etsah Ministries.

The two day training was also a time in which God opened the doors wide as the executive director of Prison Fellowship for all of South Africa and his regional head in the Durban area both asked how to implement the Addict to Disciple discipleship program into prisons where Prison Fellowship is already working. I ask for your prayers as we will be meeting in the coming few weeks to seek God's plan to move forward with this.

Last night was the Tuesday night From Addict to Disciple meeting at Acts Christian Church in Midrand. Eleven men attended as Rod Shiers opened with prayer, the song East to West by Casting Crowns and then led them through part of chapter 2. The men were open and honest as they shared their struggles, encouraged each other and shared how far God had brought them in such a short time.

Today it was back to Krugersdorp Prison for the weekly From Addict to Disciple group. 18 men attended and, after I opened in prayer, I was truly blessed as one inmate sang a praise song about how God changes lives. Then almost all of them shared a testimony of how God had touched their heart with hope and the beginnings of change since they started the book three weeks ago. What a neat experience to watch what God is doing through Rod Shiers leading the group in English part of the time and Afrikaans another part of the time...and the whole while everything is being translated into Zulu by another inmate!

After the group was over the men handed me handwritten thank you letters to the men and women who had been recently incarcerated in Lancaster County Prison, Pennsylvania who purchased the books for their brothers in South Africa. (Please check back in a few days as I will have excerpts from these letters added to the testimonial section of our website) Then the translator shared with me that he functions as an inmate evangelist throughout the various blocks of the prison and that he is using the things he has learned in From Addict to Disciple to minister to and encourage many other inmates throughout Krugersdorp Prison.

I ask for your prayers for each of these areas of ministry as well as what God has in store in the coming weeks and beyond. Also several of the men at Krugersdorp included their full mailing address so if you're interested in corresponding with them please send me an email and let me know. Thanks, Dave

Family Fun in South Africa

2009-07-08T05:54:00.000-07:00

We've been having a great time in South Africa so far. What an amazing blessing our accomodations have been. We are staying in a two bedroom cottage on a large gated property. The owners live in the main house and we are quickly becoming friends. Jordan and Isaac spend most of their time playing outside with the two girls who are about their same age. Yesterday I took a picture of the four of them playing in a large eucalyptus tree. It is very good for climbing. I had never seen one before and I'm actually kind of fascinated by it.

Driving here is quite an adventure for us. Once you get used to driving on the other side of the road, the other side of the car and shifting with your left hand...then you have to figure out how to get where you want to go. After being here a week we have a general grasp of where we are and how to get to a few places...mainly church and shopping. We're so thankful for the generosity of a young man, who is involved in the Addict to Disciple group at Acts Christian Church, for lending us a car to drive for the month while we are here.

Some of our other adventures have included: trying new foods, learning new words in both Afrikans and Zulu, a trip to the zoo, learning an African handshake, living with ants, Jordan being stung by an African bee, doing conversions in our head as we spend Rand($), freezing and frosty mornings with the enjoyment of the hot African sun all day.

Thanks for all of your prayers for us as we are here in South Africa. Shawn

Exciting Ministry Growth in South Africa's Prisons!

2009-05-21T06:36:00.000-07:00

In March 2009 I took my third trip to the Johannesburg area of South Africa. The focus of this trip was to build up the ministry that has been started by Rod Shiers out of Acts Christian Church in Midrand. (see earlier blogs) What an amazing trip!! It was as if the Holy Spirit walked to each place I went the week before I got there to prepare hearts and OPEN DOORS for His ministry!

I find it difficult to describe how I felt as I met couples whose marriages had been restored, couples who now accepted Jesus and we're married and individuals who had found freedom from addiction and were now baptized as Acts Christian Church. I had to brush back the tears as I saw the joy on these children of God for the Lord. What a humbling experience as wives thanked me for our ministry and my books which God had used to pour out His blessings into their lives. I praise God for the willingness and faithfulness of Rod Shiers to walk in this ministry with us.

During my time at Acts Christian Church I spent much time sharing with their counseling staff and held an addictions training workshop open to the counselors from the community at large. Also I held a group for men and women struggling with addictions similar to our Tuesday night groups in Leola, PA. Then I held a group for families affected by the addiction of a loved one.

I was truly blessed to link with Tabernacle Church of God in Christ in the township of Tembisa. The ministry of Pastor Vincent Mathews there was an inspiration to me as was the heart and ministry of Manda Twala, a young man who has been ministering to the police who serve that community. This church has joined in the ministry into addiction and in the prisons.

Another great link was formed with Pastor John Baptiste at Fremar rehab in Turffontein. Fremar runs a men's and women's rehab in the area and there is an awesome match of hearts and ministry there. I look forward to continued growth of relationship and opportunity with them.

But WOW did God amaze me as I was off with Rod to visit Leeukop and Krugersdorp Prisons to discuss holding group meetings using the Addict to Disciple discipleship program that we use at Lancaster County Prison in Lancaster, PA. Again the Holy Spirit had preceeded us. We had a tour of the facility and met with men in the maximum security facility. Approval was received to start a group in that unit. Since that time, the medium security facility has also requested a group and 70 men have signed up!!

At Krugersdorp Prison we were given a tour and paperwork to fill out for evaluation of the program. But God moves in mysterious ways! As Rod and I were driving away from the prison on Thursday, we hadn't been gone 10 minutes when his phone rang and it was Krugersdorp saying "We checked out the 'Etsah website. Cna you come back in on Monday and hold your first group!" So on Monday we held our first group and 21 men attended! You should have seen the tears streaming down their faces as I shared that men and women who had been in the discipleship as inmates in Pennsylvania in 2008 had purchased 52 books for inmates in South Africa in hopes that they too would be set free and healed of their addiction by Jesus Christ!

Since I have returned home to the states, those prisons in South Africa have signed a contractual operational agreement with Acts Christian Church to provide the Addict to Disciple discipleship program in their facilities!! This is an awesome step forward as our ministry in the states is on an informal volunteer chaplaincy basis rather than an official contract.

WE ASK FOR YOUR PRAYERS. Our entire family will be going to South Africa for the month of July to further equip those ministering into the prisons and their families through Acts Chrisitan Church. In addition we will be looking into possible expansion of the Addict to Disciple discipleship program into other prisons in South Africa. Our family is praying into God's will for the expansion of the ministry there and whether or not He is calling for us to move their as full time missionaries in 2010.

Jesus Brings Healing and Freedom from Alcohol

2009-02-20T16:30:00.000-08:00

As we work with men and women caught in the bondage of addiction we seek to uncover the emotional hurt or pain inside that they have been medicating. When these old wounds are healed by the touch of Jesus, then the high is no longer soothing or numbing anything. At this point true freedom from addiction is found and we urge men to find five Godly men to walk with them in this new freedom as they learn to make Godly decisions.
Here's an email I received from a man who found that freedom and healing from Christ!

David
As you know I have struggled with alcohol addiction for 8 years. I am not sure that I can say that struggled is the right term as for quite some time I did not want to quit.

This whole situation actually goes back to my childhood. I was raised in a conservative home where father and brothers are all ministers. As a child I was hurt by physical, emotional, and verbal abuse. I learned at an early age that to defend myself I would rebel. The problem is that I never grew out of that mode. Now here I sit in my mid 40s following the same pattern that I learned at the age of 8. For whatever reason I could never feel God’s love. I know the Bible and all of the rules, but I never felt that love and excitement that others seemed to have found.

Well that all changed last weekend. At 2:12am I saw Jesus like I never had before and all of the pain of my childhood were removed. I barely slept the rest of the night as I was healed and haven’t felt this way any time that I can remember.
This is a very scary proposition for me, to face life without the ability to numb myself. But it is something that I need do for my God who loves me and died for me so that I could be healed. Additionally, my wife and family deserve a man who fights for them, not one that sits around in an intoxicated state.

You told me to get 5 men around me and I did, starting with Monday I receive a call from each of them on their assigned day to see how the day is going and to make sure that I am staying with the decisions that I have made. This has not been and will not be easy, but it is something that I am committed to doing.

I thank you and everyone on Tuesday’s night’s group for changing my life and saving my marriage and probably my life.

A Cry for Help

2008-09-24T20:08:00.000-07:00

Are you ready for God to stretch your prayer life? Can you join us in prayer for men and women who are struggling with sex and love addictions? Here's an email we received today and we ask for your prayers as we minister to this young man. Pray that God will reveal the wound inside that has created the pain that has resulted in a distorted view of love. God tells us in His Word that He is love. Our ministry works with many men and women like this one who God desires to draw back to Hima s He heals their past hurts through His loving touch.

Hi David,
I am 24 years old and currently struggling to overcome unwanted same-sex attractions and pornography addiction. Do you offer counseling for this type of situation? I am unsure and honestly quite frightened at the idea of seeing a counseler or therapist for this issue. I have not dared to share this problem with anyone. This has really got me depressed and scared, especially since I recognized that I have a problem and that I need help. I am looking for a Christian counselor if possible. I am from your area and would appreciate a reply.
Thank you

A Wife with Nowhere Else to Turn!

2008-07-23T16:15:00.000-07:00

Here's a phone message I received from a woman who spoke to my wife seeking the help of 'Etsah Ministries:

I'd like to talk to you about my husband. I guess you spoke to him on the phone already, but I just wanted to be sure that you were aware of the whole situation that is going on. I will call you back when I have time when my husband is not around. Please don't call me back because I don't want him to know that I'm talking to you. I never know when he is going to be here or not.

I just want you to be able to see things from my side, to get my input. Maybe we could both come for marriage counseling to you and your wife, but I would need you to initiate that. I just don't think he's going to be completely honest with you. He hasn't been with anybody else. And without you knowing what's really going on how is my husband going to get any help?

He doesn't take advantage of what is available to him whenever he goes to counseling. I just feel like this is my last resort. I'm just very, very desperate for help. There's just other things involved here, you know, there's abuse, you know physical, emotional, mental, that goes along with his addictive history, the lying, the cheating, the mistrust, there's just so many issues. I wouldn't even know where to begin but I firmly believe that they all tie together.

I am afraid for him to find out that I've been going behind his back to talk to you guys. I'm very much afraid of that. That's my main concern, but there's got to be a way that I can get counseling with him and for him to get the one on ones. You know he says he's going to meetings, he uses them as an excuse to leave, but he doesn't even go to the meetings. He goes into the city or wherever.

I'm so sorry to bother you. I don't want to be a burden on you guys. Your wife said that you might be able to give me some words of encouragement or just tell me some things. But thank you for taking this on because I don't know where else to turn to.

Then by the next morning I had this text message:

Hi Dave. I need to talk to you! I need to get counseling for myself! My hsuband makes me feel like I am the one who is crazy and I can't take it anymore! I need help!

One of the things that we teach in our ministry to addictions is that THERE ARE NO FUNCTIONAL ADDICTS! There may be "functioning" addicts who are holding a job, or holding on to a marriage, a family or a home. BUT when you talk to the other members of the family who are not addicts they describe a very dysfunctional lifestyle!

This is a classical example of dysfunction in a marriage in addiction. The first 3 steps of the 12 steps are a key area to start in ministering into this husband, his wife, and his family. My role is to help this husband see that his life has become unmanageable and that he is powerless over his addiction (step one), that only God can restore sanity to him and his family (step two) and that this will only work if he decides to turn his will and his life over to the care of God (step three). That means to decide to become a Godly man, a man of God, and to begin making Godly decisions and living by the standards that God outlines in His Word.

Fruit from South Africa

2008-07-17T17:06:00.000-07:00

We just received an awesome update from our friend Rod in Johannesburg, South Africa. After our trip there in August 2007, he began to minister to addicts utilizing the 'Etsah Ministries model and the book From Addict to Disciple. A donor in Lancaster purchased copies of The Heart of an Addict to aid in the expansion of the ministry in Johannesburg. Here's an excerpt from Rod's email:

Dear Dave,

Praise God!!!!!!!!!! we received the parcel of books that was originally sent a few months ago “The heart of an addict” we are just so grateful for the heart of Stephanie for donating the books. I meet with the 7 men who are on the program and blessed them each with a book and a book marker.

Out of the 7, 3 of them and their girlfriends have enrolled for pre-marital counseling as the conviction got to them to get married and not live together anymore. Praise God!! As I write this the tears are rolling off my cheeks as I look back and see what God has done and to see the results of walking with them and to see into their hearts. I have learned so much about the spiritual realm and that is what we are fighting against, most of the men are from a Hindu background and so deliverance is one of the keys for them to move forward.

When you went to Iraq you mentioned that they wanted to print the book in Arabic, how would you feel if we were to translate it here into some African languages as the addiction problem in the prisons is very bad and most of the addicts are either Zulu or Sesohto.

I am meeting with a couple next week to see how we can partner with them to take it into the prisons and try and integrate it into the rehabilitation program for inmates.

My brother I am so exited what God is doing here and I feel that the time for you to visit is near, I have been praying so.

Blessings to all of you

In His service

Rod

We ask for your prayers for Rod's ministry in Johannesburg. If any of you would like to support the expansion of 'Etsah Ministries' vision in South Africa and other countries around the world, tax deductible donations may be sent to
'Etsah Ministries
104 Groffdale Rd.
Quarryville, PA 17566

The Cries of a Mother

2008-06-14T17:17:00.000-07:00

Here's an email I received from a mom who is out of ideas on how to help her son.

Hi,
I am wanting to get in touch with you regarding my son, who has been struggling for years since about the time he was 12 yrs. old. He is 21 yrs. old now. He has been in trouble over the years. He quit school in 10Th grade. I just have to do something. How can I just let him drink and use pot, etc. in the house. I was going to give him an option of getting some help or finding some place else to live because I just can't watch him destroy his life. He was caught shoplifting recently and has been in a very tumultuous relationship with a girl.
I am a single mother and this is very hard for me to do because I'm afraid of what may happen to him. But he seems to be getting worse. His father was a heroin addict who remarried and moved away a few years ago to another state.
I don't really think he wants help at this point but he believes it is his destiny to end up in prison. I went through so much with his father and it is so hard to watch him now do similar things. He talks about ending his life at times.

Here's my reply email.

Hi
It's always difficult when someone is not ready to change or even contemplating change anytime in the near future. This makes a step of intervention difficult but that is an option we can do. I would be more than willing to meet with your son or with the two of you if you think he would agree to that. Another option would be to see if he would be willing to check out the group we have on Tuesday nights. There are several guys there in his age range who have been in prison and are seeking to change their lives through a relationship with Jesus Christ. At the same time we have a women's group made of of moms and spouses of addicts and women caught
in addiction. I think this would be a great place for you to share your heart, your hurts and your hopes.
When is a good time that we could talk by phone to see what an appropriate next step would be.
In Him,
Dave

This is typical of the cries of loved ones that we receive at 'Etsah Ministries every week. Also, more and more pastors have begun to call us and say they are getting these types of calls and emails and don't feel equipped to respond.

To meet these needs 'Etsah Ministries not only offers intervention, individual and family counseling and group counseling. We also refer many people into short or long term programs if that option fits their need to get "out of the storm" of addiction and into a safe place where they can see things from a different perspective.

We also provide workshops and presentations tailored to meet the needs of your church, community or culture and assist you in starting up or expanding ministry into addictions in your church. If you would like additional information please email or call at your convenience.

Hope for Drinking Moms!

2008-06-02T07:32:00.000-07:00

Here's an excerpt from an email that is typical of numerous emails and phone calls our ministry receives every week. The parentheses were added to ensure confidentiality.

My husband and I met with (the leaders at our church this Sunday). I recently came home after being at Caron Treatment Center in Wernersville for 31 days. I came home and drank within 2 days. Within a weeks time my husband had to take the Children out of our house 3 separate times due to my drinking. They suggested we talk with you as to what steps I need to take now. Our children are 13 and 10 and just ended school for the summer. I was planning on being a full-time mother after working in our business for 12 years. My husband and I are concerned as to what to do.

What would you say if you were the pastor of this family? What would you say if you were there neighbors, relatives, brothers and sisters in Christ?

The focus that God has given us in 'Etsah Ministries is to help moms like this to see what it is that they have been medicating. Why for this women is alcohol soothing and what emotion is it numbing? When this is revealed, Jesus can heal that old hurt, scar, pain, emotion! When He has healed her the alcohol will no longer be the medication or the escape that it has been in the past.

God wants to restore His children to healing, wholeness and identity in Him. As He does this, He restores families. We ask for your prayers for this family as God begins to work in their hearts, minds and lives this week.

A Day in the Life

2008-05-30T00:00:00.001-07:00

So today was not quite like every other day but not really all that different.....
It was my day to update probation officers with my monthly fax as to individual client's attendance, participation and progress. Besides doing that and sending 30+ faxes, I also updated my mailing list for inmates that I met at county prison who are now at state or federal prison. Our family will be on vacation from June 7th to 14th and I want to send these men and women a postcard. This carries several functions including: they know I'm thinking of them and they have a postcard photo to hang on they're wall to remind them that I love them.

In the midst of that I received a call from a 32 year old man I met over 2 years ago in Lancaster County Prison. He said "Dave I love you, I want to thank you for all you did for me and I want to say goodbye." I asked, "Where are you going?" He said "To hell I guess... I lost my wife, my family and my job...I'm going to kill myself." Then he hung up and did not answer my repeated calls to his cell phone.

What would you do? This is a young man that has found the Lord and who has been praying for reconciliation with his wife and 3 young children he lost to his cocaine addiction and incarceration. I personally met with his wife and in-laws a couple of times.

Long story short, after much prayer I called 911 and also crisis intervention and 302'd him. As I write this he is in Lancaste Genral Hospital on the 302 and he is stuggling to grasp if I rejected him or loved him through my actions. I ask for your prayers that he grasps the depth of my love and the Father's love through this ordeal. I have seen far to many men and women die in their addiction during my years in this ministry. I have had to inform far too many parents of the death oftheir son or daughter. I have heard way to many parents tell me "they died to me years ago when they chose drugs!"

I ask for your prayers and invite your email comments at david.hain@gmail.com or phone calls at 717-806-1891. Please pray for this young man as he perseveres through this crisis and God builds Christlike character in him.

Oh, by the way, I had several phone calls from a tearful mom who had received repeated calls from her 18 year old son who was on day 4 at a 28 day rehab for ketamine and other drug abuse. He was badgering his mom with words that made her feel unworhty as a mom if she didin't drive to pick up her son who thought he knew better than his counselors and wanted to leave the rehab to "get back to reality!"

Oh by the way again,... This was less than 24 hours afte numerous late night phone calls from a local pastor who wanted advice on what to say to parents as a response to their 20 year old daughter who announced that she was leaving to move 600 miles away with her boyfriend. Just a side note....the boyfriend had just bought $400 worth of heroin to take along because he "wouldn't know ehre tobuy it in this new state."

The devil is a liar!!!! Revelation 18:23 says that Babylon will be cast down because by her sorcery all nations were deceived. The Greek word for sorcery is pharmekeia. We are living in that time of deception!! Will you join us in prayer and in the battle? We need your prayers...your insight from God...and your support as God stirs in your heart to finacially support the expansion of this ministry.

God Touching Addicts' Hearts

2008-05-22T06:29:00.000-07:00

As we minister to addicts in group meetings or as we share God's heart for addicts in workshops, we almost always use songs that God has placed in the heart of gifted musicians. Many of you are familiar with popular songs which speak into addiction like Does Anybody Hear Her?, The Altar and the Door, and Slow Fade by Casting Crowns. Probably many of you have also heard songs like Breathrough and When I Don't Know What to Do by Tommy Walker. However, I would guess that very few of you have heard of Keith Naylor or his group ASIAM.

For years I had used Keith Naylor's song Spring Street as short term mission teams would come to Philadelphia to minister with us on the streets. Most of the people coming on these mission trips would arrive convinced they were "bringing Jesus" to Philadelphia. The challenge that we gave these missionaries was to "find Jesus" on the streets, in abandoned homes, in crack houses, in His children caught in the snare of addiction. The lyrics to the song Spring Street are an awesome portrayal of this call on each of us as we minister in addiction.

God speaks powerfully and lovingly through the words of Keith Naylor's music as we play his songs at the beginning of groups in prison and at our office. In Lancater County Prison whether the group is men or women we always need to have several rolls of toilet paper available to wipe the tears that begin to flow as the inmates are touched by the lyrics.

Keith's song Is There Love begins with the emptiness of young woman caught in addiction and ends with an alcoholic under a neon sign. Like all addicts, they are "looking for a touch that will cleanse their soul" and "make them whole." In the song Footsteps, Keith hauntingly introduces us to the loss of innocence and pain of sexual abuse of children. In each of his songs, Keith Naylor weaves the hope of Jesus Christ as the love, the healing, the wholeness, the restoration that is so desperately needed by everyone in addiction. The song A Flower Grows promises that "in this decayed and dying soul, a flower grows."

If you haven't heard Keith Naylor's music, I urge you to seek it out online. You will truly be blessed. If you facilitate groups at your church or other places, I want to encourage you to watch God work as you utilize this music in your ministry. If you wish you had groups available in your area, please contact us at david.hain@gmail.com. We'd love to come and help get groups started. Our ministry's mission is to share the passion that He has placed in our hearts to set His children free from the bondage of addiction.

I mentioned Keith's group ASIAM at the beginning of this blog update. I'd like to close with excerpts from their song As I Am. As you read the words, can you hear God's heart for His children...your brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, spouses, neighbors...searching for something to make them feel whole?

As I Am from the CD Living in the Forever Now

And as I am my mind is broken
As I am my heart is cold
As I am my life is only shattered pieces
And pieces that are worn
As I am, As I am

And as I am my dreams they've fallen
As I am my failure's strong
As I am my hope for sacrificial loving
Is calloused by my lust for what is wrong
As I am, as I am

...
And as I am my words they're empty
...
As I am behind this mask of strength and courage
Is only a lost and broken soul
...
As I think about my life without Your hope
...
And I think about this life and all it's blackness
Cause in Your eyes, in Your eyes
As I am is whole

God's Hand in Groups

2008-04-14T10:28:00.000-07:00

God has been doing some awesome things in our groups at our Leola office recently! The number of people coming has steadily increased since the beginning of the year. Last Tuesday every chair in our office was used!!!

At 6PM we have a men's group in one room and a women's group in another. God is using these groups powerfully to open up the minds and hearts of people caught in addictions and their families. In the midst of this He is moving to bring understanding, healing, wholeness, reconciliation and restoration to relationships torn apart by addictions.

God's heart is for families!!! Some examples of His heart in action are: 4 married couples are coming to our groups (men in one room and women in the other), 2 dating couples, 2 moms with their sons and one mom with her daughters. In each of these families God is bringing understanding which leads to freedom for the addict and forgiveness by the wounded family members.

We also hold these groups inside Lancaster County Prison. As a result, family members of men and women who are incarcerated are coming to learn more about addiction. I was truly blessed last week when a fiancee and mother of a man recently incarcerated came to our group. Now, these women are studying my book, The Heart of an Addict, the same as their incarcerated loved one and they are prayerfully discussing what God is showing them on weekly visits with the inmate.

Our heart as 'Etsah Ministries is to help plant groups like this around the world! Recently groups have started in Johannesburg, South Africa. If you are interested in seeing groups started in your area or in a prison in your area please contact us for more information.

A Mom's Heart for Her Incarcerated Son

2008-04-14T10:15:00.000-07:00

Here's a letter that I received recently from a mom in Georgia.

I just wanted to take another opportunity to thank you so much for making the extra effort in getting a book sent to my son. I am so thankful to God for people such as yourself, that have taken the opportunity He has given to touch so many lives. Until you get dragged into this situation of having to deal head on with an addiction issue, you really don't realize how important people like you are. I know I didn't. I had never had to deal with anything like this. John 10:10 says that "The enemy does not come except to kill, steal and destroy." I know that the enemy is using these terrible drugs to destroy our children, and our families.

When my son asked for your book (shich he read about in some Christian magazine while in jail), I knew I had to do whatever I could to get it into his hands. He was addicted to cocaine and meth, and would do anything to get it. Now, I thank God for allowing him to get stopped in his tracks, even though this has been a hard road, to save his life. Thank you again for everything you are doing.

One Baby's Journey by Shawn Hain

2008-01-08T07:35:00.000-08:00

Recently I had the opportunity to walk through one of the hardest good things I have ever seen. I know how strange that sounds, I also have never been more at a loss for adjectives that would adequately describe a situation.
For me, it all started about eight months ago. We got a frantic call from a family who's single daughter was in a hospital. Complications from an attempted abortion had sent her to the hospital in another city. She never intended for anyone to know about the abortion, which was not completed. She decided to try again.

Without even knowing me, she said I could come along with her to her appointment at the abortion clinic. This appointment was an informational one. She would be informed about her choice, see an ultrasound of the baby and have a chance to ask questions. It was very eye-opening for me to see an abortion clinic in action and to hear their choice of words. For example the word "baby" was never used, instead the were simply going to "remove the pregnancy."
After she saw the ultrasound she decided, that since she was only around six weeks pregnant and the baby simply looked like a "blob" , that she was going to go through with it. It was heart-breaking watching her make the appointment for the abortion. But, I knew God in charge.
Four days after that appointment this girl called me, she had decided that she couldn't go through with it. Dave and I asked many people to pray, she had friends and family wanting her to reconsider and talking with her about it.

Here's where the story takes a very personal twist for me. Of the many things that Dave and I talked to this girl about, one of the things we told her was the story of my brother and his wife and their desperate desire to have a baby. After trying for five years to conceive through countless fertilty treatments they decided that adoption was their best option. When this young lady called me her exact words were, "I can't kill my baby, I want you brother and sister-in-law to have it." Amazingly, that same week was when my brother and sister-in-law were approved through their adoption agency, Bethany Christian Services.

Through this journey,I got to know this girl very well. It was really amazing watching someone who was used to focusing on herself begin to make some very selfless decisions. Through this journey I watched as a birthmother became more and more fond of the life growing inside her. She never wanted to be pregnant and have her life interupted like this and was very vocal about that. But, through her pregnancy she softned. It really was fun to watch her change and focus on her baby and his needs.

Well, as you can imagine this is where the really hard part comes in. On December 26, 2007 one fantastic little boy was born. This little boy has a lot of "family" to love him. My friend decided to care for the baby while she was in the hospital. Bittersweet is the only way to describe a time like that. For her this was the best hardest thing she has ever done. While in that hospital room she completely fell in love with her little boy. She fed him, cuddled him, loved on him, changed his diaper all the while knowing she was going to make an incredibly hard sacrifice to do what was best for him. She very graciously allowed his adopted Mom and Dad (my brother and sister-in-law) to visit their baby in her room.

On Saturday, his third day of life, one of the most incredible things happened to this cute little baby. There was a gathering of people just for him, some to say goodbye and some to welcome him into their family. All with an immense amount of love for that one special baby.
Although, his life was not planned by anyone on this earth, That little boy was not a mistake. He fits right into God's amazing plan for a family so desperately desiring him. And, this story is definately not finished God's connection between these two families has become very deep. What was never intended to be an open adoption has become one simply because of two family's love and deep respect for one another. We will just watch and see what incredible journey this little boy (my nephew) has begun.

'Etsah Benefit Sale

2007-11-26T08:11:00.000-08:00

'Etsah Ministries is having our first benefit sale on Saturday, Dec. 8th from 11AM til 4PM at our offices at 40 Hess Rd., Leola, PA. Lunch starts at 11AM and will be available for eat in or take out. The sale starts at 1PM. We are still accepting items to be sold. If you would like to contribute anything please call 717-806-1891 or send it to 104 Groffdale Rd., Quarryville, PA 17566.
This will be a great opportunity to see our offices, meet our staff and board of directors and learn about our ministry. Dave will be showing slides from his mission trip to South Africa in August and Iraq in November.
Hope to see you there for a great day of family fun and fellowship.

Trip to Iraq

2007-11-19T02:00:00.000-08:00

What an amazing trip to Iraq! The whole time I was reminded of Ephesians 3:20-21 "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

God's favor and open doors were truly incredible and humbling as we met with many high ranking officials and shared God's heart for the people of the Kurdistan region of Iraq. We met the governor, deputy prime minister, secretary of defense, director general of the department of health, a general, a lieutenant colonel most of them informally over dinner with much time to talk and share hearts. These leaders and all of the people of Kurdistan that we spoke to were happy that we were there and willing to help.

So what did my day to day look like? Every day at 9AM I taught an equipping seminar for the staff at the mental health center. After that I sat in on one on one counseling sessions with a counselor. The move of God's heart in these sessions was awesome! I got to share from Scripture His hope into hopelessness, His joy in the midst of depression, His peace in the midst of anxiety, His promises in the midst of uncerainty. What a joy for me as the counselors and patients, who were all Muslim, were touched by the Truth of His words.

I'll give two of the many examples. A young man age 30 came in with his father. The father did almost all the talking as he explained that his son had problems with depression, fear, bedwetting, etc. for the past 16 years. As we focused the discussion on the son and got him to share in his own words, he shared his pain of watching his 5 year old brother die before his eyes when a bomb hit their house in 1991. He continued to unveil the confusion that set in back then as he asked his father what happend and his father replied "Nothing." As we began the process of validating the son's feelings so he could process this trauma that he has been carrying for 16 years we saw a brightness come to his face. His eyes lit up, a smile returned and you could see hope and peace begin to fill him. We ended with the father and son sharing forgiveness, hugs and tears as that young man felt the touch of His creator bringing healing and wholeness to him!

The second example is a 20 year old young woman who came in because of dreams. She shared that she had a kind young man who came to her in her dreams to warn her of potential danger or harm. Then small demons would come and tell her that because of what her father did to another young woman they had the right to attack her. She always obeyed the kind man, but the demons' words left her in fear and she had trouble eating, sleeping and concentrating. Her family thought she was crazy and needed to be put on medication. It was truly inspirational to watch the dark cloud lift from her as she realized that the kind man in her dreams was Jesus and as she found His peace, freedom and victory over the attacks of the demons.

On Saturday November 10th I gave a 3 hour workshop for around 35 representatives from various human services agencies throughout Kurdistan. The focus of this workshop was to introduce community based addiction treatment and prevention into this area of Iraq. Everyone was eager and open to share learn and share their concerns for their community and their people. The two main drugs of concern were glue sniffing and injecting opium. During this workshop I was filmed teaching and learned the next day that an excerpt was on the evening news. As I arrived at the mental health clinic, the waiting room was filled to overflowing with Muslims who had seen the news and wanted to see Dr. David for healing and/or deliverance. Hours later when I left the clinic, the waiting was still crammed with people hoping to see Dr. David.

The late afternoons each day were filled with visits to local places. I got to tour the men's prison and sit down with prisoners in their pod. They served me tea and shared their hearts and concerns as we had a good time talking together. I also toured the women's prison, the juvenile prison, the women's protection shelter and an orphanage. In each of these we had the opportunity to talk to people one on one. I can share with you that the hearts of those in Iraq in these situations are the same hearts that I find every week in Lancaster County Prison. They are hearts yearning for healing and wholeness, looking for a hope and a future, and hearts that hunger for someone to believe in them.

Several prayer requests as a result of this trip. 1) My host asked for my permission to publish my books "From Addict to Disciple" and "The Heart of an Addict" in Kurdish and Arabic. Pray that God streamlines this process, moves aside any impediments and that these books bring Him glory as they bring His healing, wholeness, reconciliation and restoration to people throughout Kurdistan and the surrounding Arab countries. 2) There is an open invitation to return and stay for about a month. Pray for His wisdom and leading in the timing of a next trip. 3) There is a door opening for 2 or 3 families to return and stay for 6 months to several years working out of the mental health clinic. Pray for His wisdom, His plan, His timing and His heart as this idea develops further.

To view photo album of this trip visit this link http://picasaweb.google.com/david.hain/Iraq1107

Sexual Addictions

2007-10-03T17:11:00.000-07:00

Here's an excerpt from an email I received today. I am posting it (maintaining confidentiality) for two reasons. One, so God can touch those of you who read it and are in similar circumstances and as He moves in you to send your comments this couple can be encouraged. Two, if any of you know of any good contacts in the Pittsburgh area please forward them to 'Etsah Ministries so we can link up the people there.

"I have a couples ministry and one of the couples is struggling with sexual addiction porn/masturbation. His wife is just giving up because she feels there is no real help for her situation and she doesn't believe her husband is repentant enough. Is there an 'Etsah Ministries in the Pittsburgh area that you can refer us to that will deal with the issue head on?"

Here's an excerpt from our reply that we sent to this person who has the coples ministry:
"Unfortunately at this point we are located only in Lancaster County, PA. However I do travel around the world doing equipping workshops and tie in family interventions and counseling when I do. Check out our website and see if there might be a fit to schedule a trip to Pittsburgh. I also do a lot of initial stuff over the phone and have had people travel from up to 5 hours away to come to one of our group counseling sessions and have a one on one."

"The key in ministering into sexual addictions such as porn/masturbation is to view it as sin and I utilize 1Thessalonians 4:3-8 for God's Word on the issue.
God says His will for us is sanctification, abstaining from sexual immorality.
He says we should know how to possess our own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust like those who don't know Him.
He reminds us that He has called us to holiness, not uncleanness.
A good teaching on this subject is in Chapter 17 of my book From Addict to Disciple."

South Africa Trip

2007-09-17T21:11:00.000-07:00

Our family had an awesome mission trip to South Africa in August. Thank you to everyone who was praying as we were there.

God had truly prepared our steps as we ministered to people struggling with addictions and taught workshops to local missionaries and other minstry leaders in the Johannesburg/Pretoria area. It was humbling to watch God's heart for His children as He set people free from their struggle with addictions through revealing the inner wound, bringing His healing and then restoring them to the place of His presence.

We were blessed to be His feet and hands as we walked through Atteridgeville and brought His love and the hope of His son to the people living there. As we prayed for God to show us the people of peace that His Spirit had prepared, we were led to Magdaline and Martha, two women who had a preschool for 1 to 5 year olds. They loved the Lord and were praising Him for bringing us to them as our family ministered to them and played with the kids.

Our hearts were repeatedly broken as we walked through the poverty, despair, and disease of a township in a country with 39% of the population HIV positive. Orphans are everywhere and the medical community finds itself hesitating to treat orpahns when no one wants them. But God is stirring in the hearts of middle class men and women in South Africa who are leaving their jobs and homes to move into poor townships and share their homes and hearts with orphans. It's not uncommon for parents of two children to take in up to 30 orphans into small shacks with no indoor plumbing.

God opened numerous doors for a return trip to equip prison chaplains, workers in a troubled teen program and to inner city Johannesburg heroin addicts. We ask for your prayers and feed back as we seek His leading in these opportunities.

To view photos of this trip clickon this link http://picasaweb.google.com/david.hain/SouthAfrica2007