“I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.“–Psalm 69:30

Dear Friends,

Today my heart is singing because of the great joy God has given me through His wondrous works in the lives of victims of clergy sexual abuse and how He has used The Hope of Survivors to help many broken hearts and shattered lives be restored by His grace and power. Truly, the enemy of our souls has NOT won this battle and we can all thank the Lord for that! (Photo: Maria Simionca, THOS-RO board member (far right) with the family that was helped by THOS-RO.)

It is heartwarming to see how our volunteers have provided the love and support victims needs throughout the U.S. There is not a state in our blessed nation that has not had at least one victim (usually many victims!) whose life has been touched and blessed by The Hope of Survivors’ ministry. Isn’t that incredible?! Not only in the U.S. but in many countries around the world, THOS is making a difference in the lives of clergy sexual abuse victims. I am so grateful for, and deeply indebted to, our faithful servant volunteers. THANK YOU!!

It is with such a grateful heart that I want to share an experience that happened a few weeks ago. Over the years since we started the Romanian organization, we have had several discussions with board members, with each other and with God about whether we should keep it going or shut it down. It is extremely difficult–in part due to the leftover Communistic mindset among some of the population–to get victims to reach out for help because of fear, shame, retaliation, and others reasons. It’s equally as difficult to find long-term volunteers, or to raise enough funds to hire a permanent employee. Each time we have decided we must close it down, when we travel to Romania to sort things out, God sends new volunteers, new victims with needs and an energizing spirit that compels us to keep going, to keep this ministry open and available to the Romanian people. After all, they have so few resources to help them and we are one of those very few.

So what happened, you ask? Well, I decided to post some information and ask some questions on Romanian social media sites. Several people offered some good ideas for how we could expand the ministry in Romania, which was nice, but one thing was incredible–victims started to reach out to us! A woman with several children who had been abused, threatened with death and abandoned by her husband was in great need.She was so thankful to have found THOS-Romania (THOS-RO) and the help, along with warm winter clothing and firewood, we could provide for her and her children! I believe this is God saying once again, “keep going, persevere, I have plans for THOS-RO.”
(Photo: A few of the many items purchased to keep the family warm this winter.)

Not only are victims reaching out, but I felt impressed by the Holy Spirit to talk to someone about making a donation to help us help the victims in Romania. It’s difficult to raise funds for overseas projects. (It’s difficult enough just to raise funds here in the U.S. to cover operating and project expenses!) When I spoke to this person, she said God told me to contact the right person because she and her husband had a heart to help the women and victims in Romania and they are going to pray and (Lord, willing) make a donation after the first of the year. Praise the Lord for softening hearts and leading me to people who have a passion to help!

Operating a global organization has many challenges–staffing, funding needs, meeting victims’ emotional and spiritual needs, language barriers, time zone differences, educating congregations, leaders and people on the streets, and so much more. Only God can supply what is needed for each of our team members and each of the broken-hearted victims who reaches out to THOS for help. Thankfully, He uses YOU to help meet those needs through your prayers and financial gifts. We are grateful for YOU!

With love, gratitude and blessings during this season of Thanksgiving,
Samantha Nelson
CEO