Jillian and I traveled to Iowa last week.  The word that kept coming to my mind during and after the trip was, LEGACY.  Legacy; something passed on to those that follow.  We were invited to Iowa to share with three communities about the Prevalence of Sexual Abuse.  Through some amazing circumstances and direction of the Holy Spirit and  wonderful friends Jeff and Becky Neu, Holding onto Hope Ministries has a whole host of new friends.

At Des Moines Christian School we observed the legacy of over 30 years of faithful commitment to the development of Christian Education.  Dr. Bob Stouffer leads a community that is flourishing and unafraid to address the difficult issues of the day.

Thank you Mrs. Augustine and the Amazing Choir

Steve and Karine Miller introduced Jillian and I to “Main Stream Living.”  Their daughter Sinee is part of an incredible care facility for adults with disabilities like our daughter Joree.  The Baker House is building a legacy of compassion and care for the broken among us.

We also shared at Valley Church in Urbandale with men willing to address the difficult issues of our time with compassion and an earnest desire to see change and growth.

I had the great joy to visit with a friend I began my teaching career with nearly 40 years ago.  Bill Bird is a director and mentor for new music teachers in the West Des Moines school district.  Bill and I were energetic rookies back in 1978 in Rockford, Illinois eager to teach children the truth.  What a joy to spend a little time with Bill and reminisce.

Finally, Jillian and I spent two days with lifelong friends Earl and DeDe Taylor the directors of Hidden Acres Camp in Ogden, Iowa.  DeDe and Earl have spent nearly thirty years laying the foundation for the best family youth camp in this country.

It is our duty as followers of the King to be establishing a legacy for those that will come behind.  Jillian and I continue to speak out about the legacy of abuse that must be broken.  While in Iowa, we learned that a well-known leader in the Christian community resigned after years of alleged sexual misconduct and abuse.  The silence surrounding this issue must not be the legacy for the years ahead.  Speak out with us and help begin the healing that is emerging as awareness grows.

THANK YOU Des Moines Christian, Valley Church, Mainstream Living, and Hidden Acres for the Legacies you are building.  Thank you for sharing some time with Holding onto Hope Ministries.  Keep up the fight.