There is clearly a need for help and that’s why right now Harvest House is exploring the idea of working with victims of the sex trade industry.  Unlike homeless shelters, we believe our home offers these victims the safety and security they would need to recover and move forward with their lives.  We want to take an active role is overcoming this heartbreaking issue.  We are currently working with individuals and groups within our community to make this happen.  We understand this is not an easy task so please keep us in your prayers.  Also, pray for the young ladies in our area that are being subjected to this crime.  We know one of the biggest obstacles will be locating these victims, because often they do not see themselves as such.

We are also still taking applications from any young ladies in need which you can locate here.

Lord, you know the hopes of the helpless.  Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them.  You will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed, so mere people can no longer terrify them.  Psalm 10:17-18 NLT

As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Isaiah 55:10-11

God’s word is powerful. He uses Isaiah to explain how His words are like rain to the earth. Rain keeps the earth watered. It keeps the grass green and brings life to withered flowers. As long as you pour enough water and sunlight into an area of ground something will grow even if it’s only weeds. In the same way, God’s word does not return empty-handed. It’s promised to give life.

This past weekend we had such an excellent example of this happen in our lives. Casey was given the opportunity to preach at church on Sunday, because Pastor Jim was out of town. Our church, Harvest Christian Fellowship, is very small and even smaller during the summer months. There were probably 30 people at church and almost every single person was someone we knew who regularly comes. Casey has had the opportunity to preach several times over the last year so it wasn’t too out of the ordinary for him. He always get pretty excited about what he has to talk about, but after his sermons he doesn’t always get a lot of feedback. This past Sunday a young lady came up to Casey after the service and asked how to be saved. It was incredible. Casey could have easily been discouraged when he saw the super small crowd that had come to church that morning, but it didn’t matter. It didn’t matter that there was only one new person at church that Sunday. God had a purpose and it was such a blessing to see His purpose play out.

Many times God’s word feels more like snow than rain. Snow falls much slowly than rain and it takes time to melt, but it waters the earth the same. We might share the Bible with others and never see the fruit, but we have to keep hope. We have to believe God’s promise that it will not return empty and it will accomplish His purpose.

Pray for more opportunities to share God’s word with others!

We encourage you to share it with friends and family as well!

Harvest House 2011 from casey spitnale on Vimeo.

If you’d be interested in meeting with us to learn more about this ministry, please email us at harvestdayton@gmail.com.  We’d love to meet with individuals, groups, and churches to share more about our ministry and mission!

Blessings,

Christine Spitnale

Harvest Houseparent

The Life Enrichment Center provides such a great service to the Dayton community.  They provide hot meals and groceries for the needy.  They offer a range of classes to help people make their way into the work force.  They also have a program for kids where they can earn their own bike.  They are continuing to grow and expand their services!  I got to opportunity to see their newly renovated hair salon which they will open for women in need of showers or haircuts.  It’s so exciting! 

We encourage you to check out their website here to learn more!

God Bless,

Christine 

Once they got settled we reviewed and set the expectations for the home.  We also began working on developing their Individual Development Plan.  As house parents one of our primary jobs is to help the young ladies set and meet their goals.  Their goals touch on topics such as education, career, money management, and faith.  Our goal is to set them up for success once they leave the home.  

Saturday mornings at Harvest House are the best in my opinion.  We start the day with a big breakfast as a family.  Then we get together to talk about our week and how the Lord is work in our lives.  Chocolate chip pancakes are good, but even better when you have people to share them with

Over the last couple of months we have had several other girls apply or show interest in Harvest House.  At this point we still do not have enough monthly financial support to bring in anyone else.  If you are able to help out financially we would so appreciate it, because we are still behind.  A number of you have supported us financially and we can’t thank you enough.  We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you!

Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you!

Blessings,

Christine Spitnale

Harvest House Parent

We have already started to work with the girls on developing their goals.  This will be a focus throughout their stay at Harvest House.  We look forward to seeing change in their lives and we can’t wait to share it with you. 

On a side note, last night we celebrated the end of another Princess Program.  The Princess Program is a 10 week study put on by Harvest Youth Ministries that teaches young women valuable life lessons such as purity and self worth.  After the girls got their hair and nails done they were escorted by limo to one of Dayton’s finest restaurants.  Pictured below are the girls.  Even though the Princess Program is technically over the girls want to continue the study which is great!  Thanks to HYM supporters for making this happen!  Also a special thanks to H & A Limousines and The Racquet Club

Over the last month we had our annual fundraiser dinner for Harvest Youth Ministries at the Attic, our first meeting with the Harvest House Board of Directors, and the start of the Princess Program.  The Princess Program is a Bible study for young women that volunteer at the Attic.  At the end of the 10 week program we reward the girls with a night out to a fancy restaurant.  This time we are working through the book Every Young Woman’s Battle.

We have also began to accept applications online for girls interested in living at the house.  Please pray that the Lord would make it clear which girls we should accept into the house, because there are several that we have been praying about. 

As far as financial support, right now we are at $900 in monthly support out of our $3,000 projected goal.  Over the last month we have received a couple substantial one time gifts that have significantly helped, but we are still struggling to meet our monthly goal.  If you’re interested in giving, there is a donate link on our site.

If you’re interested in meeting with us to learn more about Harvest House or you’re interested in a tour of the home please don’t hesitate to email us at harvestdayton@gmail.com.  We’d love to meet you!

Blessings,

Casey & Christine

Harvest House Parents

    9am to 2pm

Where: Salem Church of God

    6500 Southway Rd #2

    Clayton, Ohio 45315

What:   The Miami Valley Adoption Fair and New Family Tree Orphan Outreach Ministry collaborate to present a one-day comprehensive adoption, foster care and orphan care educational experience. Community professionals and adoptive families will be available to answer questions and give information on adoption and foster care opportunities.

Harvest House will be in attendance at this year’s fair.  We are excited to meet other ministries in the area and share the mission of Harvest House with others!

More information can be found on their website.

http://www.miamivalleyadoptionfair.org/

When: November 11th 7pm – 9:30pm

Where: The Attic 2852 Wilmington Pike Kettering, OH

Harvest Youth Ministries will be holding its annual dinner November 11th at the Attic.  This is a great opportunity to learn about Harvest House, The Attic, and other ministries in the Dayton area.  You’ll meet staff members as well as hear from youth that this ministry has worked with.

Please RSVP to Elizabeth Kilby at beth@harvestyouth.org by Wednesday November 4th with your name and the number of guests that will be attending.

This is a free dinner and we would really like to tell as many people as possible about this awesome ministry. Invite your friends and family!  Whether you’ve been a part of this ministry for some time or would just like to learn more we’d love to see all of you!

If you’d like to learn more about Harvest Youth Ministries, you can also visit their website by clicking here.