BelJohnna

I went to a tea to learn more about the problem of Human Trafficking about two weeks ago. This problem is so huge and it turns out that Brussels is one of the main points for transporting people for this purpose in all of Europe.

We were given a Code of Conduct for Men in the 21st Century written by Brian Iselin this year. Maybe you'll think most of these are a no-brainer, but unfortunately this is not the case. And studies show that men who consider themselves "evangelical Christians" have some of the highest percentages of violence in their home. They may use texts from the Bible out of context to suppress and dominate the people around them. I realize that women degrade and abuse men as well. I think it is a challenge for all of us, both men and women, toward ALL people, both men and women, but this is focusing on the more vulnerable in our society. The staggering statistics show that the vast majority of this behavior is against women and children. And it must STOP:

1. I REJECT unconditionally all violence against women and children.
2. I REJECT the buying of sex with women and children.
3. I WILL intervene when I see a man beating a woman.
4. I WILL NOT beat my wife or partner.
5. I WILL INTERVENE when my male colleagues, friends, or family belittle or degrade women.
6. I RECOGNIZE prostitution as harmful to women and will do everything I can to see the end of it.
7. I REJECT the buying of pornography, recognizing it as sexual exploitation.
8. I WILL NOT BUY products that advertise by exploiting women's bodies when it has nothing at all to do with the product.
9. I WILL NOT visit clubs and bars that exploit women through 'exotic' dancing.
10. I WILL NOT BUY newspapers and magazines that advertise sexual services.
11. I REJECT all forms of sexual harassment, including wolf whistling, sexual insinuations, and unauthorised physical contact.
12. I WILL INTERVENE when my male colleagues, friends, or family engage in sexual harassment.
13. I WILL RESPECT my female colleages and partners as equals.
14. I RECOGNIZE decision-making at home is about equality and partnership.
15. I WILL ENCOURAGE other men to adopt and live by this code, including teaching it to my children.

Just went to a huge African wedding on Saturday! The women from the church had me and the other "non-African" woman dress up in African "pagne". Maman Badjee is on the right - she is from the Island of Mauritius and speaks Creole. It's amazing the two of us ever understand each other! But I am at her house every Thursday for lunch, prayer and an English lesson.

Marie Gabrielle - a French 19-yr-old who got to Belgium thanks to Covenant connections! A missionary who is now a pastor in Michigan emailed me several months ago asking if I could find something for her to do here. I sent that email to a bunch of friends working in other missions... and Assemblies of God picked it up and invited her here for a few months!

Maman Josephine and I... you can see the sign in the background, "Vive les maries" (with accent on the e of maries). Long live the couple! (bride and groom)

FAMILY!!! We had so much fun! For the Florida crowd, we're just missing Lara's husband Britt in these pics... :(

Tanya's "surprise" 40th party!!!

My niece, Brenna - SOOOOO cute!

Brenna and Duncan - I miss my niece and nephew!!!!

This piano has been in the family for 40 years, I think. I have so many memories of practicing on this piano for over 12 years.

Lara and the stray cats that eat on my mom's porch. Mom names them after famous cities - San Francisco, Gary, Nashville, etc. What? You think your family's NORMAL? :)

A night out at a French restaurant (which means really beautifully presented bird-sized portions of food ALWAYS). Great to be with my mom and sisters though!

At the Cuban restaurant by mom's house - YUM!

After preaching at Northwest Cov, I got to go to lunch with Dad, Uncle Keesey and my friend Kim!

Playing in the arboretum at Navy Pier... okay, okay, Chicago is a beautiful city! I'll admit it!

Downtown Chicago and a boat ride with my dad, brother Andy (Andrew), and his girlfriend Alice.

Reminded once again that I do not always know the difference between the John Hancock and the Sears Tower - this is the Hancock, right???

Hanging out with mom's side of the family in Crystal Lake and Wonder Lake, IL. We had a really good time!

Cody doesn't like to have his picture taken... :)

More pictures from my time in Chicago! I love my home church there - Immanuel Covenant!!

Hello All -

I am having trouble pasting my newsletter here, so I have to retype the whole thing into this space... a little annoying... :)

First of all, thanks for praying!

I cannot believe how fast time is flying. It seems like yesterday I was visiting churches in the U.S. and now it is almost November. Since getting back from the U.S., I have jumped into the weekly schedule of house visits, home prayer meetings, contacts with people who don't have a church they call home, fascinating conversations with agnostics and athiests, and youth group. I have had a few visitors come through: 1) Fabio Muniz who preached and sang at our church on a Sunday as well as at a prayer group and youth group. 2) Rosamond Smith and her friend, Brooke. Their visit was too short, but I haven't had friends from the States in a while, so it was fun to catch up and show them around Brussels.

Other news and items for prayer:

1) Conference - 7 of my colleagues are at a conference in Turkey. Please pray that it would be a rich time of fellowship and learning together about how to reach out to people with differing beliefs.

2) Worship team - We are in the process of revamping our worship team. We possibly have someone who is willing to take my place and lead, but there are some communication problems. Pray that the communication would become clearer and that all involved would be able to understand one another and move forward together in unity. I would love to give this responsibility up and concentrate on the next two points.

3) Outreach - Pray for my conversations with Eric, Samia and Elisa and our landlords Jacques and Gisele. These are the people who seem most interested in talking about life and God. I may never see tangible "results" from these conversations, but I hope that I can be used to encourage them and share my life with them as they have touched me and opened their hearts to me.

4) Youth - I am really excited about possibly starting up an Alpha Course with the youth this winter and spring. I think it is definitely time and that it is a great next step. It will also help give the students a solid base so that one of them may take over leadership in the future.

5) Raising up leaders - Keep praying that God would raise up leaders to serve our church. We have been talking about service and using gifts for many months, but the leadership team is ready to see these words put into practice.

6) Finances - I am almost ready with the most current numbers and will make a separate appeal with greater detail in the near future. Giving has been up in the last few months and this has been a HUGE answer to prayer! My mission budget was $10,000 in debt a few months ago, but then went down to $6,000. Unfortunately, though, I had to take out the next $4,000 for 6 months and so it is back up to $10,000. Please consider joining the Belgium team at $10, $25 or $50 a month or giving a one-time "booster" gift.

You may send all gifts to:
Covenant World Mission
STM Johnna Hayward
5101 N Francisco Ave
Chicago, IL 60625

There is also the option of giving electronically so you don't even have to think about it! This is very easy to set up. Just let me know if you are interested or send an email to Michele Harbeck Haley at michele.harbeck.haley@covchurch.org.

Psalm 32 meant a lot to me this week as I have been thinking a lot about identity and had some days where I felt it was difficult to feel confident in who I am as a child of God. I sometimes feel like a wild horse that needs to be broken in and trained by a trustworthy Horse Whisperer! These verses were especially encouraging - just knowing that I can hide myself in God and be instructed, taught and counseled. I don't have to know everything. I don't have to be perfect. I just have to keep moving forward and be faithful to the tasks in front of me!

7 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. (Selah)
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.
9 Do not be like the horse or mule which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.

Praying that all of us may be reminded of our true identity in the One who has called us by name and is leading us day by day toward a more whole, abundant, and fulfilling life.

Happy Wednesday!!!!!
Johnna

Hello All -

17 I have been deprived of peace;
I have forgotten what prosperity is.
18 So I say, "My splendor is gone
and all that I had hoped from the LORD."
19 I remember my affliction and my wandering,
the bitterness and the gall.
20 I well remember them,
and my soul is downcast within me.
21 Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him."
25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD. Lamentations 3:17-26

What a beautiful passage. My 5 weeks in the U.S. were a time of experiencing God's mercy and faithfulness. I included the part before verse 21 because so often we just hear the part I have highlighted and not the hard stuff before. I think the rich beauty in life is only made more beautiful against the backdrop of the reality of day-to-day pain and struggle. Wow - it is GREAT to be back in Belgium! And it is really fun to reflect on the incredible 5 weeks that I had in the U.S. Honestly, it was above and beyond what I was expecting. I just updated the photos to include California, Iowa, Nebraska, Rockford, IL, a few from Chicago, and Wisconsin. I have yet to do the rest of Chicago and Florida... and then a more FULL update with a financial praise and prayer report!!!

THANKS for praying, thanks for giving! Thanks for partnering with me and this ministry in Belgium. I am very grateful for your support!

Steve and Anja making me an omelet....

Playing with kids in Wisconsin at Penny's house. We had a little party there so I could see high school, college and grad school friends. Amazing to have people from landmark moments in my life all in the same place.

Reading before bed with the Filkins...

Okay - awkward picture... but this is the "chair challenge". Find a wall. Step exactly three of your feet away from it (put them behind one another and walk back to measure). Put a chair between you and the wall. Keep your feet together. Now put your head against the wall and try to lift up the chair without standing on your tiptoes, but for sure without moving your feet. (See the guy in the back). I did it! And apparently, it is a lot easier for women to do than men. Maybe it's a question of center of gravity???

This student's mother is from Congo!!! Does she look like any of my students in Belgium??!!! :)

Two more beautiful people I met at Broadway Cov in Rockford...

Speaking to youth group at Broadway Cov in Rockford. I'm not angry... but I don't know what I'm talking about here.

Nate and Megan in Chicago at the Reeds' house!

my aunt showered me with gifts!!!! What an image of God's extravagant and abundant love. (Which is sometimes soooo hard to believe in sometimes and other times, so simple and breath-taking!)

Me and my uncle on his motorcycle... another answer to an "unprayed" prayer. (Like driving the coast of California!) I LOVE motorcycle rides!!!

3 of the 4 Filkin crazy kids. I LOVE hanging out with these folks!!! I MISS THEM!!!! Here they made me ice cream and spaghetti out of play-do. yum, yum! :)

Some of the small group gals plus the "extended" small group. It was really good to be with them as well! I can't believe how many people I was able to see during those 5 weeks. Thanks to all who made an effort to fit into my kinda crazy schedule. I really appreciate it.