I'm writing this in hopes that you all will join Redeemed Girl Ministries in prayer for this campus, and others like it, and lift up the evangelistic event that is being held there on April 20. Also pray for students who are facing the onslaught of lies and persectution, and for them to stand boldy for Jesus Christ.

Faith and Inheritance from Breakaway Ministries on Vimeo.

On Thursday, January 28th the RGM team pulled into Oxford, Mississippi for the long awaited Girls' Night Out event at Ole Miss. The Campus Crusade team did an incredible job of promoting the event, and a 1600 young women were in attendance. Praise God for the 114 girls who came to Christ at this event. Please continue to pray for the women of Ole Miss and the CC staff as they follow up with those who made decisions.

Hey Girls!

2010 is right around the corner and we wanted to give you an idea for a Redeemed Girl Resolution. In her book, The List, Marian Jordan writes, “The secret to true beauty is spending time each day with the Beautiful One (Jesus). There are many ways to have ‘Beautiful Time’ with the Lord.”

We want to encourage each of you in 2010 to make Beautiful Time with Jesus a top priority. On our website you'll find a page titled Quiet Time Tips...click here to go straight to it.

A favorite of Redeemed Girl Ministries is called the R.E.A.P. (Read. Examine. Apply. Pray.) method.  All you need is your Bible, a journal, a quiet place and an open heart. This method is best used with a Bible reading plan, which can be found at www.BibleGateway.com, as well as other sites that we have listed for you at www.RedeemedGirl.org.

Email us at info@redeemedgirl.org to let us know what you've learned or become our friend on Facebook (page name is Redeemed Girl Ministries) or follow Marian's tweets (her Twitter name is MarianJordan).

Happy Reading Redeemed Girls!

Redeemed Girl 2009 Year in Review from Marian Jordan on Vimeo.

Redeemed Girl India Trip from Marian Jordan on Vimeo.

Team India is safe and sound! We've been immensly blessed with full days of ministry, but absolutely ZERO internet access. So...i'm just now able to catch you all up on all that we are doing. Let me just say that your prayers are being answered!!! God is moving here. We will be home in a few days, but i will post a few more times in the meanwhile to let you guys know about the incredible ministry happening here.

The entire team sends their love!!

Marian

What an amazing day for Team India.  The rain has finally cleared! In case you didn’t know, the Houston team somehow brought a hurricane to India with us (although they are called Cyclones here) and we’ve been in heavy rains for a few days. But we awoke today to beautiful clear skies and the temperature dropped a few degrees—the perfect weather for our first day of pastoral training. 

Biff and Adam are preaching on 2 Corinthians this week to a packed chapel filled with local pastors and men who are in pastoral training school, many of  whom drove from hours away to be taught the Word of God. Biff commented that he was “overwhelmed by the crowd” and loved seeing how “eager the men were to learn and grow in their walk with the Lord.” I had the joy to teach Indian women (ministry staff and wives) from my favorite book of the Bible—the Gospel of John.  We had so many women attend that we had to move the meeting outside. Praise God! Please continue to pray for the three of us as we work with translators and communicate God’s word to those hungry for it.

We have a week to go and we are already dreading the day that we will say goodbye to our girls. We just returned from our second evening with the young women at Grace Home.  Our goal this week is to teach the girls about their identity as Daughters of the King. We hope to encourage them with God’s love and to shape their thinking around His truth.  Tonight Jenny Gutierrez taught an amazing lesson about Ruth and Jennifer “Tank” Seals trained the girls to make gospel bracelets.  Check out the photo to see the swanky spin we put on an old standard…we know you all will want one too.

The past two days we’ve had the joy of working with kids rescued out of brothels, who are now living under the care and guidance of Godly men and women who nurture, protect, and provide for their every need.  These girls are redeemed in every sense of the word.

To watch them worship Jesus is a beautiful sight to behold. I’ve always thought that our love for Jesus is in direct proportion to our perceived need for Him. That old formula holds true: these girls absolutely love Jesus!  We don’t need to understand Marathi to understand the praise spilling from their lips.  

After our visit with the children at Faith Home we drove several hours through the Indian countryside to our next destination, Grace Home. We will be here for several days. The team is doing extremely well. Thank you for your prayers. We are all healthy.  Although I am personally being tortured with the news that two cobras (9ft. long) were recently spotted where we’re staying. (P.S.  I hate snakes.) The team loves to entertain themselves by telling me this info. Good times.

We are now at Grace Home (aka Cobra nest… I’m just kidding. We are very comfortable and the food is amazing that the women prepare for us.)  Upon arriving here we’ve been given new Indian titles.  “Uncle” is the title reserved for elders. “Didi” means older sister. “Dada” means older brother.

Biff  “Uncle”—He is an amazing pastoral leader. Our team truly looks up to him and appreciates the gentle spirit that God has blessed us with in him. Not to mention that he’s just hysterical. Please pray for Biff as he is teaching the pastors for the next few days.

Adam “Dada” & Jennifer “Didi” Seals—we love our mighty duo. On a funny note, you can pray for them because India has a no P.D.A rule. And if you know these two at all, you’d know that they like each other…a lot! So asking them to not hold hands in public was a big deal. :)  Seriously, please pray for Adam as he is also teaching the pastors and  for Jennifer as she is leading all of our crafts and activities.

Susanna “Didi”—she is a prayer warrior and truly brings God’s heart for the oppressed to our team. Please pray for her as she  teaches about Esther to the girls…encouraging them to become the future leaders of this country.

Debi “Didi”—Debi did a great job teaching with me last night as we instructed the girls about God’s incredible love for them. She asks that you pray that she not get overwhelmed with emotion about what these girls have endured, but to see their future and to offer them hope in Christ.

Jenny G. “Didi” –Jenny is a great asset to our team and brings a wonderful gift of compassion. Please lift us Jenny as she prepares to teach the story of Ruth to the young girls. Pray also for her peace in the face of wickedness. She specifically asks that you would pray that she can forgive the men who are abusing and using these women.

Marian “Didi”—Please ask the Lord to fill me more and more with His Spirit—for apart from Him I can do nothing.  I will teach the staff women and the girls every day for the next three days.  Pray for God to move and that translation would not hinder the teaching of His word.

Also, please pray for Ralph, the leader of Charasia, as he seeks the Lord for vision for the road ahead for the children God has entrusted to them.

This morning our team toured the RLD. Under the guidance of locals we walked through the narrow alleyways composed of ancient bricks and wooden shanties and walked up cramped and darkened staircases to view the “cells” where the women are kept in rooms barely large enough for an army cot.

How did they get here? Most were sold into slavery by their parents or husbands. With a promise of fortune to the families their daughters are handed over to agents who then sell them to owners. From that point on they are gone. This is their new normal. Now imagine a child born into this scene. What hope does this child have for the future? Pretty grim. Here the demand for young girls is insatiable and the “owners” expect the mothers to enlist her girl in the “family business.” She is after all simply a commodity in the hands of a broker.

The darkness can just about overwhelm you. Satan’s agenda to “kill, steal, and destroy” is clear. Hopeless is the word one wants to use….except for the one who knows Jesus. One bright spot in our morning was meeting the moms who’ve entrusted their babies with the ministry that we are working with. These mothers remember a life before their cell and want the same for their children. The contrast between their faces and the faces of the other women that we encountered was dramatic. Hopelessness is unmistakable. It weighs heavy upon the face. Yet, the mothers who lovingly asked about their children bore a different countenance…hope. Hope that their girls would be spared a life of slavery. Hope that their girls would be educated.Hope that their girls would have a voice.

There is a Redeemer,
Jesus God’s Own Son.
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah
Holy One.

This chorus played through my head as we wove our way through the dark alleys back to our awaiting cars. Everything we witnessed today is an affront to the God who made each of us in His own image. The abuse is a sin against His holy name. I firmly believe any act of justice and any work of freedom is an act of worship to the One who spoke each life into existence.

When confronted with depravity of this nature it makes you love Jesus all the more. Please pray for the women enslaved here and throughout the world. In this city alone, prostitution is a billion dollar industry. Most of these women will die before the age of 40 because diseases are so rampant. Please pray for India to be awakened to the sorrow that is at her steps.

Today begins our first official day of ministry. After a very short night’s sleep, the team awoke, packed, grabbed breakfast and is now flying to our next destination. Traveling from the hotel to the domestic airport gave us a glimpse of Mumbai—streets bustling with motorbikes, fruit stands and pedestrians blending with the constant sound of horns blaring as we passed by.

Today we will visit the (RLD) and minister to women who are still enslaved there. Please pray for our protection, for us to be Spirit led, for each of us to extend the love of the Father to these women, and for us to see everything through His eyes. After our time there we will then spend an afternoon with the children. 

As I’ve surveyed our team I realize we are all feeling the same emotion: uncertain. Uncertain about what we will see and experience…and uncertain if we are prepared for the days ahead. But in the midst of our uncertainty is a powerful certainty. We are CERTAIN that….

·      The Lord goes before us and He prepares our way….

·      Greater is He Who is within us than he who is in this world….

·      It is not by might, nor by power but by His Spirit….

·      He is before all things and in Him all things hold together…

I’m so grateful for the fact that despite how we feel, we can REST knowing that God is with us. He is mighty to save, and He is sufficient for all that we need.

Everyone here sends their love and gratitude for your prayers.

After months of planning and praying and after what seemed like an eternity on the plane…we finally landed in Mumbai! Thank you for your prayers for travel safety! They were definetly heard. We made it through the airport without a hitch!

I’ll post more soon….we are having internet problems today.

Over the past few years the Lord has awakened me to the plight of women enslaved by the sex trafficking industry. Across the globe women are taken from their families, imprisoned, and horrifically abused. Without a voice and with no hope of freedom, these women are prisoners to an institution that treats them as less than human. Through news outlets like Dateline NBC and Hollywood movies like Taken, this issue has become a hot topic. Yet is anything really happening to help these victims?

I recall thinking when I watched the movie Taken (a film about a girl abducted and sold into prostitution) how much the story mirrored the Gospel…depicting the passionate love of a father who fights to redeem his daughter from captivity. Sounds a lot like Jesus, doesn’t it? Luke 4: 17-19 tells us that Jesus took the scroll of Isaiah and found the place where it was written: “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me For He anointed me to preach gospel to the poor, He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed. This is the heart of God. Knowing the Lord’s concern for the oppressed and His compassion for the captive, I knew He was stirring my heart to do something…. but what could one person do in the face of such evil? Thankfully, I’ve learned that we can rest knowing when God stirs our hearts to act, He is already at work…our job is to just be available.

Around this time a guest speaker (Ralph Borde, President of Charasia Ministry) visited my home church, Second Baptist of Houston, educating us on the work God is doing among women in India. He shared his desire for a team to come and minister to the very women that the Lord had placed upon my heart. The following is the vision he shared: “India has millions of women and children who are victims of the horrific prostitution industry. It is our goal to rescue children whose mothers are enslaved in prostitution, thereby saving the children from being forced into child prostitution, as well as providing an opportunity to witness to their mothers. Our hope is to bring many women and children out of their terrible bondage into a life where they know the love of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Of course I knew immediately that the Lord was calling me to go…after all, these are girls desperate for the redeeming love of Jesus Christ.

As usual, God’s timing and His plan are perfect! Everything worked out with my travel schedule and ministry obligations in order for me to lead the trip. Our mission is two-fold. We will teach and disciple the young women who’ve been taken out of brothels and the men on our team will train pastors who are planting churches across India. For more information about the ministry, please visit www.charasia.org. I joyfully write these words from a cramped airplane seat bound for India. Our team is amazing. We are small in number but mighty in Spirit. In the months of planning we’ve bonded and are of one heart and mind.

Please pray for us as we travel. Lift up the women and men that we will be serving and please check back here for updates each day. For His Glory, Marian In the photo is “Team India”—Biff Johnson (Pastoral Leader), Adam and Jennifer “Tank” Seals, Jennifer Guiterez, Debi Ostrom, Susannah Thorn and Marian Jordan (Team Leader)

*Pictures coming soon!

*Pictures coming soon!

"The ladies retreat, hosted by Second Baptist Church Cypress Campus at Carolina Creek Christian Camp, was a time of sweet fellowship and God's presence was strongly felt.  Marian taught on the book of Joshua and focused on becoming the woman God designed us to be by experiencing the abundant life we have in Christ.  I was challenged to continually set my mind on His truth and believe. We were all encouraged to find rest in the One that provides it, Jesus.  On Friday evening, after Marian spoke, we had a fun craft time with yummy treats and girl time!  What an amazing retreat!!"

-Jennifer Abbott, retreat coordinator

Marian loves going anywhere where she can say “Go Cowboys!” - although she was a little confused since she wasn’t in Dallas. When Marian arrived in Tulsa she was greeted by her good friend Kari Kennedy, who whisked her to Stillwater for the “Woman vs. Wild” event at Oklahoma State University.  After a quick stop by the home of famous country singer Garth Brooks, the event was under way with hundreds of girls eager to learn wilderness skills. Marian challenged them to walk by faith and trust God in the midst of trials and pain.

This event was special because of the time Marian was able to spend counseling girls in their moment of heartbreak and see God heal their pain. It was a late night filled with girl talk and pizza as Marian hung out with the planning team until the wee hours of the morning.

Marian and her friend Tonya departed humid Houston for the sights and smells of a glorious fall in Western Kentucky (unlike Houston, Bowling Green actually has 4 seasons!).  Driving from Nashville to Bowling Green and seeing the leaves turning colors and the beautiful countryside was such a great treat! Once in Bowling Green, the home of Western Kentucky University, Marian and Tonya were greeted by Campus Crusade staff member Jill McGuire and her amazing “Girls’ Night Out” planning team - a fun and crazy group of girls who have a passion to see God move on their campus. Wow, did they do a great job planning their event and getting girls to attend.  The room was packed and filled with a buzz of excitement.  Praise God for the number of girls that attended and indicated they wanted a relationship with Christ.

It was a late night and early morning as Marian had to be back in Nashville for two live TV appearances on Fox Channel 17 “Tennessee Mornings” and Channel 4 “WSMV” - where she promoted her latest book, The List.  Marian spent the rest of her time in Nashville catching up with friends and meeting with her publisher.

Redeemed Girl Ministries, in partnership with the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, hosted two Girls’ Night Out events at The University of Oklahoma - one campus-wide event and the other just for sorority girls at the Pi Phi house. For the sorority event, the planning team did a great job making the night fun for all with a fashion show and lots of goodies.  Marian spoke on the topic of understanding your identity in Jesus Christ.  She also spent time debunking many myths that define women as sexual objects.

While in town, Marian was able to catch up with Leslie Herring, a former student, who showed her around campus…thanks Leslie!  Marian was so encouraged by the campus-wide event where she met with students from all over the world….India, China, Russia, as well as Okies from Oklahoma.

Special thanks to Kelly King and Kristin Weir from the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma and Amy from the Baptist Student Union at OU for making it such an incredible week for us!

Last week was packed full for us. Right after the event at Texas Christian University, RGM flew into Tulsa, Oklahoma and then drove to a small town named Talequah (you say it “tala-quaa”) for a Girls’ Night Out.  Talequah is the home of Northeastern University - alma mater of Carrie Underwood! Marian did a quick radio interview about her new book The List and then we met with the crew from the BSU about the evening’s event.  Many thanks to the The Baptist Student Union who did a great job getting the word out and the venue was packed. 

After Marian’s talk, there was a ton of door prizes to be given away…everything from spa products to hand-made blankets from women in local churches.  The girl’s had a great time and were very attentive to God’s truth. About 30 girls indicated on their decision cards that they wanted to know more about a relationship with Christ…so exciting!  The time was sweet and many girls came up afterwards sharing how much they needed to hear what Marian said and that they are going to begin living more like priceless treasures rather than trash.

The next morning found us up early, armed with Starbucks and heading to “Good Day Tulsa” where Marian was interviewed about Girls’ Night Out and The List. Although we are Texas girls we sure loved our time in Oklahoma!

“Girls’ Night Out” at Texas Christian University was so much fun for all!  RGM had been working a long time with Campus Crusade for Christ to have this event on TCU’s campus and we were so excited to finally be there.  The college leaders where amazing and we got to have dinner with them at McKinley’s (the cutest place with great chicken salad!) before the event.  It was special to hear from their hearts the prayers they had been praying for their campus.  

Marian spoke about true identity…confronting the lies that many girls believe about where they find their value and worth. Praise God for the great turnout—hundreds of young women participated and over 50 girls indicated that they were interested in beginning a relationship with Jesus Christ. Praise God for bringing many girls to hear the truth their hearts were thirsty for.  Just like all the other “Girls’ Night Out” events, please pray for the campus leaders as they go forth with follow-up and for the book clubs that are now beginning on the TCU campus.  

RGM always loves visiting The University of South Carolina!  This trip was Marian’s third time to visit for a “Girls’ Night Out”.  One thing that’s been incredible to see is the way God is moving through the Greek system…years ago there were no small groups and now there’s one (and in some places more than one!) in every sorority! 

The venue was packed for “Girls’ Night Out” and the event started with fun music and games and then Marian shared a great message.  The best part…53 girls indicated on their decision cards that they wanted to know more about a relationship with Jesus!  Please pray for these girls as they learn more about Jesus and grow in their faith.

P.S. Another great part about visiting Columbia, South Carolina…we get to see our dear friend Kitty Hurdle.  We love you Kitty!

Marian spoke vibrant truth into the lives of the girls and after the event we just about wiped out of every book we brought…the girls were so eager to learn more!  It was encouraging to hear that every sorority on campus is starting a bookclub with “Sex and the City Uncovered” this Fall.  Marian met with the leaders following the event to encourage and train them for leadership.  Then off we went to enjoy Mexican food with the leadership team at El Guapo. Funny name…yummy food. :) 

Looking over the comment cards from the evening, we found out that 34 girls wanted to know more about a relationship with Christ!  Praise God!  Please pray for the girls at UNT.

At the end of August RGM made our way to Memphis, Tennessee (via Little Rock)– home of Elvis Presley and many other cool people!  It was our very first trip of the “school” year and we were excited to visit Briarcrest, a christian school that invited Marian to speak to their student body – girls individually and boys, yes boys.

Once we arrived in Little Rock we loaded up our rental car and headed downtown for lunch. If you ever find yourself in Little Rock you must eat at The Flying Fish and when they ask “Do you want to make that snappy” say yes and they’ll give your fish a little “kick”.

Off to Memphis we drove, listening to sermons and music from our ipods or whatever was on the radio.  Sometimes we even watch movies...driver keeps eyes on road and passenger narrates.

The first event of the trip was planned for middle and high school girls and their mothers.  It was a great night! The next morning Marian had two sessions with the girls and one with the boys.  It ended up being a really sweet time and the students were so respectful and attentive.  God is really moving at that school and we pray the students will keep their eyes on Christ and not be brainwashed by the lies that the world feeds them.

Go Saints!!!

Dear Redeemed Girl Ministries Support Team,

We hope this letter find you doing well! As always, we thank God for you and your partnership with what He is doing through Redeemed Girl Ministries. This summer has been a great one, kicking off with Greek Summit, a Campus Crusade retreat for sorority girls from all over the southeastern United States.  Marian was asked to attend to encourage the girls in their faith (many of the girls came to know Christ through their schools’ Girls’ Night Out event). It was a refreshing time for all.  Marian arrived back saying, “It was encouraging to see how hungry the girls were to go deeper in their faith and take the next step. It was the vision of RGM coming to life…seeing redeemed girls who long to redeem girls and live for God’s glory.  At the end of my time there, I saw many girls surrender to the call God had placed on their lives.”

Next up for RGM was a six-week Bible Study at Second Baptist Church on the topic of Marian’s fourth book – yes fourth! – titled Radiance, a study about being radiant women in a dark world that seeks to mask our light. The Bible study was followed by a variety of conferences and church events, including Campus Crusade for Christ’s National Conference in Fort Collins, Colorado where Marian was asked to lead an afternoon seminar.

As the summer now comes to a close, we’ve been working hard to prepare for an exciting and packed Fall line-up.  November holds a new adventure as Marian travels to India to share the love of Jesus with girls there. The vision of the trip aligns with the vision of RGM – to see women transformed by the grace of Jesus Christ.  Please lift up Marian and the team members as they travel November 8-19. On top of the blessing of numerous opened doors for the gospel, God has blessed us with a great opportunity to expand our online presence.  RGM is currently finalizing a new and improved website, specifically designed with Redeemed Girls in mind!

Another big announcement for the Fall is the release of Marian’s third book titled The List: Figuring out Prince Charming, the Corner Office and Happily Ever After (B&H Publishing).  The List is set to release September 1^st, but if you’re eager to pre-order it you can visit Amazon.com and search “The List by Marian Jordan”.

God continues to encourage us as we walk the walk of Faith and follow His lead.  We are continually thankful for open doors to share God’s truth, financial provision for every need big and small, safety and protection while traveling, and our perfectly-sized office space.  On top of all that, we thank God specifically for each of you and for your prayers, support and partnership in taking God’s truth to girls in need.

For His Glory!

The Redeemed Girl Team