Here are some updates on my journey lately.

I haven't written a blog for a while.  I thought I would update some of the things I have been involved in this past year.  I am seeking God's direction in this next year as I move forward in all that he would have me to do this year.

If you read the biography about me, or even go through the past couple of years that I have had this blog, you will notice that I have a passion for children, the homeless,  for helping the vulnerable, the exploited and those who need to be rescued or need help.  I have been involved most recently with two different organizations seeking to fight human trafficking. I have felt called to learn, to work as a team, to be a light and a part of stopping the crime of sex trafficking in the Ozarks.  Tonight I had an opportunity to speak on the panel at the STAND Coalition's awareness general community event.  It was a great experience on many levels and a growing experience as well.   My involvement with both STAND Coalition and GO 61, Inc (another local agency combating human trafficking)  has been meaningful in so many ways. I have been able to work with key community leaders through these groups to bring education to the community, intervene. The key will be in working together to effect change in our communities and beyond.  

I graduated from MSU with my Masters in Social work in December of 2013.  I was awarded in May of 2013 an award for excellent research, which I had conducted specifically on Homeless Youth and Trafficking, in order to become more involved in the problem of sex trafficking in our community. As a result, I interviewed 5 different homeless youth who had been trafficked, that is "coerced, forced or frauded into commercial labor or sex acts" for profit of the pimp or trafficker.  I met youth who had been tricked into working for free, bringing huge profit to the "employer," these were moved across state lines to sell. I encountered youth who were still with their pimp and stated it was their boyfriend and they were in love with them, and I met youth who traded their bodies for basic needs such as food, shelter and clothing.  All of these are defined as human trafficking and their traffickers can be prosecuted.  

 I work with the James River Kids Chapel team at church, (see below pic with the "Club Journey" shirt). On Sundays, I host the services by interactive skits, worship leading, leading prayer and introducing the Children's Pastor or Bible Lesson Leader. I minister to girls ages 2nd to 5th grade on Wednesday nights having an opportunity to mentor them and be a friend and positive influence. Recently it has changed so that I have just 2nd-3rd graders. It is an important way I am able to share the good news, reach out to kids and their parents.

 I made several dozen sugar cookies, (which took way too many hours LOL) for Christmas gifts with the other social workers at CMH.  We gave them as gifts to the different departments of the Hospital. It has been a pleasure to work for CMH, a hospital with so much integrity, people of faith and who support social justice. The amount of support at work for my dream to return overseas and do mission work has been overwhelming.  When I began working there, I remember the interview, making it clear that I was looking at a 1-2 yr commitment. They still hired me! and have invested so much to make me a better person. I am still working on lots of areas.  I am so humbled by my failures, but grateful for the support of so many great people who God has placed in my path who support and believe with me for a return back to the mission field. As for me, I'm just waiting on God's perfect timing. . . . I will wait til its right. but I'm excited to return!

My beautiful family is doing wonderful.  My sister and brother-in-law had a rough year last yr due to some health difficulties, but I am believing for total healing for them both and I know its going to be a much better year...  My parents moved my grandpa into the house and it has been a transitional period for sure.  Change is good, and I'm so grateful for their big hearts and help to him.  I do know it makes things very busy around their house.  My younger sister is doing YWAM.  A huge change for her. 

 I will have to tell you more later.  You all have a wonderful night and God bless!

-Joanna Joy

"Do not think that I (Jesus) came to bring peace on earth..." Repent America.

It was in the spring of 2009. I was resting in my room during the time I was in Costa Rica, and praying about the time to come and God's will.

I slept and had a dream as follows:
-Pres. Obama was coming to speak in our chapel. The chapel was singing worship to God when he entered and sat in the back. He became frustrated and angry with the worship as we were praising Jesus.  He went outside and smoked a cigarette and then he came back in right as they were announcing him as our speaker and gave him praiseworthy words of encouragement. His smile was big and I heard his heart puff up and he was saying it his heart, "that's right, me. praise me. give applause for me. Its me." It was as if I heard his human heart be jealous to have the praise that belonged to God.  As he arose to speak, the Spirit of the Lord spoke loudly to me and said "I did not come to bring peace on earth but a sword, dividing the hearts of men."  Then the scene changed.
-I was one among FEW leaders in the street of a big city. (remember those old garbage cans that were metal and had those covers) We were lifting those covers above our head and shouting with thousands of people, starving, in the crowd with us. The FEW of us were shouting out to the governing leaders to give us food to eat. It was like mass chaos on the streets and the people were starving without enough to eat, while the governing leaders would not relent to give anything to us.

The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. May the Lord EMPOWER us through HIS SPIRIT to be the VOICE HE HAS CALLED US TO BE IN THIS HOUR.

Today, a few years later, I reflect on these dreams God has given me. I had another, I may share at a later time. The thing is,...these dreams are now put in motion.  America, we must turn to God, repent and seek after God's heart and give our praise to Jesus Christ who paid all the debt for us...not to ME ME ME. The dream has multi-facets, but the message is clear that we cannot obtain any type of salvation or lasting change from a human leader or from seeking after our own selfish desires. For if you will seek your own way, "Eat Drink and be Merry for Tomorrow You Die."

The War going on right now, is one of a great enemy claiming to PURGE from unrighteousness. The purpose of jihad is to bring people into what they consider the faith. If being a soldier of Allah is an indicator of  something dangerous, HOW ABOUT being a soldier of Christ. A term so popular in the '90s and when I was a little girl. We used to sing the popular song, the song by Carman called "God's got an Army" referring to being Warriors of Righteousness.

What are we to do?

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"Be Strong in the Lord (Jesus Christ) and in the POWER OF HIS MIGHT, Put on the full armor of God, wherewith we can stand against the devil's schemes." Ephesians 6:10-11

The day is coming and is HERE where we must choose who we will serve. 
The people of Allah have chosen that through force and through dominion they will cut off anyone who does not choose Allah, and they believe that they are righteous in doing so.
-Wickedness does exist and in no way do I condone immorality, sexual sin, robbery, plundering, abuse, exploitation, the love of money. These things exist IN the fight which they are fighting, although the claims are to PURGE from these very things.
Can the enemy who is divided against himself stand? NO. His house will fall, and this is how we know that we have the Victory through the Lord Jesus Christ because His kingdom is established forever and he is not divided against himself. Do not fear evil, but overcome evil with good.

"If anyone lacks wisdom, He should ask of God, who gives freely to all without finding fault, and it will be given him." James 1:5

Let us be soberminded in this hour and pray.
I do cherish any of your words.