Stay tuned to meet three women who are driven 00:00:01.33\00:00:03.93 to make a difference for the Lord, 00:00:03.97\00:00:05.90 one woman at a time. 00:00:05.93\00:00:07.70 My name is Yvonne Lewis Shelton, 00:00:07.74\00:00:09.44 and you're watching Urban Report. 00:00:09.47\00:00:11.54 Hello and welcome to Urban Report. 00:00:35.36\00:00:37.97 Now I bet you're wondering 00:00:38.00\00:00:39.33 why we are not on our usual set. 00:00:39.37\00:00:41.77 Well, our set doesn't accommodate 00:00:41.80\00:00:43.74 three guests at a time. 00:00:43.77\00:00:45.11 And we wanted to be sure that you could become acquitted 00:00:45.14\00:00:47.44 with all three of the women 00:00:47.51\00:00:49.24 associated with this wonderful ministry. 00:00:49.28\00:00:52.11 My guests today are Belinda Smith, 00:00:52.15\00:00:54.98 President and Founder of Women Working with Women, 00:00:55.02\00:00:58.19 Purette Mills, Vice President, and Maxine Bethea, 00:00:58.22\00:01:02.72 Secretary/ Treasurer. 00:01:02.76\00:01:04.36 Welcome to Urban Report. 00:01:04.39\00:01:06.49 Thank you for having us. 00:01:06.53\00:01:08.56 You guys were on... 00:01:08.60\00:01:09.93 I had you when we were ASI. 00:01:09.96\00:01:12.13 It was quite some time ago. Oh, yeah. I remember. 00:01:12.17\00:01:15.14 And it was so noisy around us and everything, 00:01:15.17\00:01:18.77 but I was so impressed with what God has placed 00:01:18.81\00:01:23.85 on your hearts to do that I thought, 00:01:23.91\00:01:26.05 "Man, we just need to have them on a full segment," 00:01:26.08\00:01:29.85 because the ASI segment is like 15 minutes or something. 00:01:29.88\00:01:33.25 On a full program, you're also going to be 00:01:33.32\00:01:36.39 on a Today program for the parent network, 00:01:36.42\00:01:39.79 so the Lord is just opening doors for you. 00:01:39.83\00:01:42.60 Yes. Praise the Lord. 00:01:42.63\00:01:44.00 And you're no strangers to me. 00:01:44.03\00:01:45.73 I need to tell our viewers that these women, 00:01:45.77\00:01:49.14 I've known since I was really, really, really young 00:01:49.17\00:01:53.91 which has been quite sometime ago. 00:01:53.94\00:01:56.08 And in fact, Belinda and Purette, 00:01:56.11\00:01:59.85 and my sister Binky, who passed away in 2009, 00:01:59.88\00:02:04.65 they were best friends. 00:02:04.69\00:02:06.49 So you guys are like family 00:02:06.52\00:02:09.22 and having you here is like family. 00:02:09.26\00:02:10.63 And I'm so proud of what God is doing with your ministry, 00:02:10.66\00:02:15.83 Women Working with Women. 00:02:15.86\00:02:18.37 Tell us how you got started with Women Working with Women. 00:02:18.40\00:02:22.84 Well, Women Working with Women came about in a way 00:02:22.87\00:02:27.04 that I didn't see it coming initially. 00:02:27.08\00:02:30.15 It came when I relocated here to Florida from Mississippi 00:02:30.21\00:02:35.92 as a clinical specialist for end-stage renal disease. 00:02:35.95\00:02:39.09 And I came down first to assist my mom 00:02:39.12\00:02:41.89 'cause she wasn't feeling well and doing well. 00:02:41.92\00:02:44.63 So I was here because I felt better 00:02:44.66\00:02:46.33 and thought she would be safer if one of the daughters 00:02:46.36\00:02:49.13 would be available for her. 00:02:49.16\00:02:51.03 And so while I was here, I got involved with women's ministry. 00:02:51.07\00:02:55.24 And when I got involved with a ministry, 00:02:55.27\00:02:58.27 it really elevated what I've already been doing 00:02:58.31\00:03:01.71 for the 25 years in my life which was being 00:03:01.74\00:03:03.95 a clinical specialist end-stage renal disease 00:03:03.98\00:03:05.91 and teaching, educating, empowering, doing PowerPoints, 00:03:05.95\00:03:10.09 and doing conferences and seminars. 00:03:10.12\00:03:12.22 And this time it was a little bit different 00:03:12.25\00:03:13.96 because I flipped the switch and decided to put my efforts 00:03:13.99\00:03:18.26 and ability into the Lord. 00:03:18.29\00:03:21.43 And by doing that, I began to work 00:03:21.46\00:03:23.93 and was offered opportunity to share with women 00:03:23.97\00:03:26.90 in Southeastern Conference 00:03:26.94\00:03:28.97 under the leadership of Nicole Brixeye. 00:03:29.00\00:03:31.11 And she took me under her wings, 00:03:31.14\00:03:33.01 and I then allowed the Lord to use me 00:03:33.04\00:03:36.11 and we went all around the world teaching 00:03:36.14\00:03:38.51 and preaching the Gospel and educating women 00:03:38.55\00:03:41.05 in district one which covers Atlanta, 00:03:41.08\00:03:44.42 covers Georgia, Valdosta, 00:03:44.45\00:03:46.25 and the other southern parts of Florida. 00:03:46.29\00:03:49.22 And my job was initially to empower those women 00:03:49.26\00:03:51.23 and educate them and teach them about dealing with abuse 00:03:51.26\00:03:55.56 and dealing with self-esteem issues. 00:03:55.60\00:03:57.20 And doing that, I realized that I was working 00:03:57.23\00:04:02.24 for the Lord fulltime. 00:04:02.27\00:04:04.77 And with the teaching of Nicole Brixeye, 00:04:04.81\00:04:07.64 she taught me so much and I'm very grateful 00:04:07.68\00:04:09.74 for her leadership and teaching us. 00:04:09.78\00:04:12.98 We learned how to give back. 00:04:13.01\00:04:15.35 And so one of things I took away from that role 00:04:15.38\00:04:19.59 I played in Southeastern was to take it out to the community. 00:04:19.62\00:04:22.89 And so we developed 00:04:22.92\00:04:24.26 Women Working with Women incorporation, 00:04:24.33\00:04:27.30 and it's a non-profit 501(c)(3). 00:04:27.40\00:04:29.86 In that, it was giving me the ability to put 00:04:29.90\00:04:33.30 not my just my dreams but the dreams of Binky, 00:04:33.34\00:04:37.37 a good friend of mine that passed away, your sister, 00:04:37.41\00:04:41.94 help women that was transitioning from jail, 00:04:41.98\00:04:44.55 help women that were dealing with addictions, 00:04:44.58\00:04:46.38 to help women that were unemployed, 00:04:46.41\00:04:48.45 help women that was just going through a struggle 00:04:48.48\00:04:51.19 through their journey. 00:04:51.22\00:04:52.55 And what I wanted to do was to make an environment, 00:04:52.59\00:04:54.69 a place, a facility that would allow women to be able to come 00:04:54.72\00:04:59.13 and transition their lives, that they would never 00:04:59.16\00:05:02.50 be the way they came, they would leave 00:05:02.53\00:05:04.63 with a different set of goals. 00:05:04.67\00:05:07.04 And so in doing that, Women Working with Women 00:05:07.07\00:05:09.70 came alive and we introduced it to the city of Gainesville, 00:05:09.74\00:05:14.54 Santa Fe College opened their arms, 00:05:14.58\00:05:16.21 accepted us into the incubator program, 00:05:16.24\00:05:18.71 gave us an office. 00:05:18.75\00:05:20.12 We have been there now around five years. 00:05:20.15\00:05:22.68 In that facility, we educate and empower women 00:05:22.72\00:05:25.62 through professional development conferencing 00:05:25.65\00:05:28.92 that we do and teaching every quarter 00:05:28.96\00:05:30.86 out of that office. 00:05:30.93\00:05:32.96 We partnered with University of Florida. 00:05:32.99\00:05:34.96 Now the University of Florida, they have given us 00:05:35.00\00:05:36.53 their students in a couple of a sororities 00:05:36.56\00:05:39.33 which is called Uncap, Enact us, and Stride. 00:05:39.37\00:05:44.17 These three organizations teach 00:05:44.21\00:05:46.24 the professional development class for us free at no cost. 00:05:46.27\00:05:50.31 And then we provide the graduation, 00:05:50.35\00:05:52.15 and we try to do the job placement 00:05:52.18\00:05:53.52 at the end of the day for those ladies. 00:05:53.58\00:05:55.68 And we have had such a great response 00:05:55.72\00:05:58.22 in that process and in that program. 00:05:58.25\00:06:00.52 And we also provide distribution of food 00:06:00.59\00:06:03.22 to families in need, period, for all women in the community 00:06:03.26\00:06:06.56 of Alachua County in Gainesville, Florida. 00:06:06.59\00:06:08.83 So you have multiple focuses in this program. 00:06:08.86\00:06:14.97 Yes. 00:06:15.00\00:06:16.74 It's not just feeding, it's not just educating, 00:06:16.81\00:06:19.24 it's all of that. 00:06:19.27\00:06:20.78 Yes, a multifaceted organization 00:06:20.81\00:06:22.94 that allows us to not just work with the hunger of a woman 00:06:22.98\00:06:27.75 but the emotional hunger, the spiritual hunger, 00:06:27.78\00:06:29.78 the physical hunger. 00:06:29.82\00:06:31.15 We try to meet those needs 00:06:31.19\00:06:32.75 by having those different programs. 00:06:32.79\00:06:34.76 So even though we deal with the women that come 00:06:34.79\00:06:38.06 from jail and we deal with the women 00:06:38.09\00:06:39.66 that are incarcerated and come out of those jails, 00:06:39.69\00:06:42.50 we need to be able to give them something 00:06:42.53\00:06:44.53 to continue that journey in the right way. 00:06:44.57\00:06:47.80 And going in and giving a study is great, 00:06:47.84\00:06:50.17 but when they come out, what do we have for them, 00:06:50.21\00:06:53.04 you have Women Working with Women. 00:06:53.07\00:06:54.41 Oh, that's great. 00:06:54.44\00:06:55.78 So it starts inside of the prison. 00:06:55.81\00:06:58.51 Yes. 00:06:58.55\00:06:59.88 So you start working with the women 00:06:59.91\00:07:02.28 before they even come out. 00:07:02.32\00:07:03.82 Absolutely. 00:07:03.85\00:07:05.92 Yeah, this is where they need us. 00:07:05.95\00:07:07.89 There is nobody back there. 00:07:07.92\00:07:09.26 And I can proudly say in Gainesville, Florida, 00:07:09.29\00:07:12.19 that Bethel Seventh-day Adventist Church 00:07:12.23\00:07:13.93 prison ministry department which I am 00:07:13.96\00:07:15.26 a prison ministry leader there as well. 00:07:15.30\00:07:18.73 We have the most list of individuals that go 00:07:18.77\00:07:24.47 into the jails, I believe there's 14 of us. 00:07:24.51\00:07:27.18 We're the largest group. 00:07:27.21\00:07:28.54 We have taken over the actual Bible study group 00:07:28.58\00:07:32.88 in that prison or in that jail. 00:07:32.91\00:07:34.95 We cover all bases, men and women. 00:07:34.98\00:07:38.02 And we also have the Lodi prison 00:07:38.05\00:07:40.29 that we also minister out of, that's in another county, 00:07:40.36\00:07:44.23 but we also minister in the Lodi prison as well. 00:07:44.26\00:07:46.83 So we have been very active in that role. 00:07:46.90\00:07:49.20 And to me, going in and giving that study 00:07:49.23\00:07:51.80 is great and wonderful, God bless us, 00:07:51.83\00:07:53.50 but we must be able to do something when they come out. 00:07:53.54\00:07:57.07 Yes. 00:07:57.11\00:07:58.44 There has to be a transition, we can't just push it 00:07:58.47\00:08:01.01 to the table and call it a day. 00:08:01.04\00:08:03.61 They are going to be needing us. 00:08:03.68\00:08:05.01 They need to continue to study, they need to continue 00:08:05.05\00:08:08.12 to know where and how we're worshipping 00:08:08.15\00:08:10.72 and where are we located, they may need a home church, 00:08:10.75\00:08:14.12 they may need support, period. 00:08:14.19\00:08:16.99 So what better way is to go into the jails 00:08:17.06\00:08:19.53 and we'll be able to let them know, 00:08:19.56\00:08:20.93 "Listen, when you come out, call me at this number, 00:08:20.96\00:08:23.30 go to WomenWorkingwithWomen.org. 00:08:23.37\00:08:25.17 We'll be there for you to help you transition out." 00:08:25.20\00:08:27.97 We want to be able to continue that not only for the women 00:08:28.00\00:08:31.04 but for their families, their children as well. 00:08:31.07\00:08:33.41 As while she is doing that in prison, 00:08:33.48\00:08:36.51 there is a corresponding program 00:08:36.54\00:08:38.65 that really shows what she was saying earlier 00:08:38.68\00:08:41.18 building the spiritual needs and the physical needs. 00:08:41.22\00:08:43.89 We try to model Christ 00:08:43.92\00:08:46.32 in what He did when He was on earth. 00:08:46.35\00:08:47.79 Yes. 00:08:47.82\00:08:49.16 So what actually happens for us now is to build a relationship 00:08:49.19\00:08:51.43 with these people in inner cities and projects, 00:08:51.46\00:08:54.46 we go to them, to their community, 00:08:54.46\00:08:57.37 and we actually feed them, we actually get them clothing 00:08:57.43\00:09:01.74 if they needed. 00:09:01.77\00:09:03.47 We try to show love in those ways first, 00:09:03.54\00:09:06.04 meaning the physical needs and then... 00:09:06.07\00:09:08.78 My mother is a Bible worker and has been for years. 00:09:08.81\00:09:11.61 She... I have an uncle who is a pastor, 00:09:11.65\00:09:14.28 Pastor Joseph Lewis. 00:09:14.35\00:09:15.68 They work together with meeting the spiritual needs that, 00:09:15.72\00:09:18.62 you know, while we're actually feeding them, 00:09:18.65\00:09:20.79 somebody might want a Bible studies. 00:09:20.82\00:09:22.52 And so what's happening is there's building over here 00:09:22.56\00:09:25.69 and there's building over here, 00:09:25.73\00:09:27.23 and those buildings come together. 00:09:27.23\00:09:29.13 So when those people are out of prison 00:09:29.16\00:09:31.53 and they make that transition, a lot of them 00:09:31.57\00:09:34.30 because their Bible study is going on in their prison 00:09:34.34\00:09:36.30 will want to come to church. 00:09:36.34\00:09:38.27 She actually has a graduation service 00:09:38.31\00:09:41.01 because they finished a whole Bible study program. 00:09:41.04\00:09:44.08 And so the church gets to meet them, 00:09:44.15\00:09:45.98 gets to know them, give them a certificate. 00:09:46.01\00:09:48.35 It's a big day for them. 00:09:48.38\00:09:49.82 And we try to get them so much love 00:09:49.85\00:09:51.39 that they want to come back. 00:09:51.42\00:09:52.75 We don't push them but they want to come back. 00:09:52.79\00:09:54.49 They want to continue studies and there is a not a day 00:09:54.52\00:09:56.86 that goes by or a week that goes by 00:09:56.93\00:09:58.73 that she is not still giving Bible studies to one of them. 00:09:58.76\00:10:01.20 Exactly. 00:10:01.23\00:10:02.56 And so that Bible study is on both end, 00:10:02.60\00:10:04.53 but starting with the personal touch, 00:10:04.57\00:10:07.20 the physical touch has really helped him 00:10:07.24\00:10:09.04 to see that we care. 00:10:09.07\00:10:10.41 We're not just doing this 'cause we paid and it's a job, 00:10:10.47\00:10:13.64 you know, nothing could be further from the truth. 00:10:13.68\00:10:15.88 It's all about Christ, and Christ is love, 00:10:15.91\00:10:18.88 and so we want them to see that when they see us. 00:10:18.91\00:10:21.25 That's the way He ministered and that's what we want to do. 00:10:21.28\00:10:23.89 And she would have mentioned it 00:10:23.95\00:10:25.35 but also we provide educational conferences. 00:10:25.39\00:10:28.52 And one of the things that we do, 00:10:28.56\00:10:30.13 we cater to the women in that community 00:10:30.19\00:10:32.23 but she caters specifically Miss Mills, 00:10:32.26\00:10:35.36 our Vice President is the parenting consultant 00:10:35.40\00:10:38.63 for our parents and our ministry. 00:10:38.67\00:10:42.00 She not one is gifted in that area 00:10:42.04\00:10:44.04 but she educates the parents on parenting. 00:10:44.07\00:10:46.21 She has a very special program called 00:10:46.24\00:10:47.68 How to Really Love your Child. 00:10:47.71\00:10:49.58 And it goes from the child to the parent. 00:10:49.61\00:10:52.58 So these parents that are coming out of incarceration 00:10:52.61\00:10:56.12 or coming out of jail or coming out an environment 00:10:56.15\00:10:59.32 that they don't have the support that they need, 00:10:59.35\00:11:01.86 a lot of them don't know how to parent 00:11:01.89\00:11:03.76 and they have no clue. 00:11:03.83\00:11:05.49 So we can feed you and we can cloth you, 00:11:05.53\00:11:08.20 but then we're sending you home without the tools 00:11:08.23\00:11:10.33 to raise those two boys. 00:11:10.37\00:11:11.70 Absolutely. 00:11:11.73\00:11:13.07 What better way can we help you. 00:11:13.10\00:11:14.44 Absolutely. 00:11:14.47\00:11:15.80 And what will happen to those two boys 00:11:15.84\00:11:17.51 if the mother doesn't know how to parent. 00:11:17.57\00:11:19.74 Absolutely. 00:11:19.77\00:11:21.11 They will end up incarcerated as well. 00:11:21.14\00:11:22.88 We are trying to break this cycle, 00:11:22.91\00:11:24.41 trying not to continue. That's right. 00:11:24.45\00:11:25.78 So it's not just the Bible studies 00:11:25.81\00:11:27.62 that we need to give, it's not just the food 00:11:27.65\00:11:29.92 that we need to give, it's not just the clothes 00:11:29.95\00:11:32.19 that we need to give, we need to give the tools 00:11:32.22\00:11:34.89 to empower and educate these women 00:11:34.92\00:11:37.19 to be effective and more better than they were coming in 00:11:37.23\00:11:41.50 as much as they were 00:11:41.53\00:11:43.50 when they initiated with the program. 00:11:43.53\00:11:44.87 They need to be able to have those tools 00:11:44.90\00:11:47.10 so that they can be more effective as a parent. 00:11:47.17\00:11:49.04 Not only that they're parents, 00:11:49.07\00:11:51.21 when we was at the Phoenix House, 00:11:51.24\00:11:53.41 we had all of our children about 20-22 kids cooked 00:11:53.44\00:11:58.45 their own Thanksgiving dinner. 00:11:58.48\00:11:59.85 Yes. 00:11:59.88\00:12:01.28 They washed the turkey, they fixed the vegetables, 00:12:01.32\00:12:03.52 they did everything. 00:12:03.59\00:12:05.12 And we had them set up their own tables 00:12:05.15\00:12:07.96 and put the fork, and knife, and the spoon 00:12:07.99\00:12:10.06 where they were supposed to be 00:12:10.13\00:12:11.46 in the back of the building we were in. 00:12:11.49\00:12:13.60 And we invited their parents to come 00:12:13.63\00:12:14.93 and have dinner with us. 00:12:14.96\00:12:16.30 So Thanksgiving that they cooked, 00:12:16.33\00:12:17.67 surprised the parents, they didn't know 00:12:17.70\00:12:19.03 that their children can cook. 00:12:19.07\00:12:20.40 But that was part of a tutoring program. 00:12:20.44\00:12:21.77 That's how it started 'cause for a long while 00:12:21.80\00:12:24.74 we had tutors from University of Florida 00:12:24.77\00:12:27.34 as a part of their class, who came in 00:12:27.38\00:12:29.34 and actually helped the kids after school. 00:12:29.38\00:12:31.78 With their homework. 00:12:31.81\00:12:33.15 And the parents would send them to our program 00:12:33.18\00:12:35.42 and that was when we had that small space 00:12:35.45\00:12:37.85 that we had to leave. 00:12:37.89\00:12:39.22 But it worked beautifully. 00:12:39.25\00:12:41.02 So she extended the program to teaching the manners, peace, 00:12:41.06\00:12:44.83 you know, table manners, 00:12:44.86\00:12:46.96 and how to prepare a decent meal, a healthy meal. 00:12:47.00\00:12:51.33 You know, and do something for your parents... 00:12:51.37\00:12:54.20 Kids were so excited. 00:12:54.24\00:12:55.57 The children were so excited. 00:12:55.60\00:12:56.94 Oh, I'll bet. I'll bet. 00:12:56.97\00:12:58.31 It was wonderful. Wonderful. 00:12:58.34\00:13:00.18 To me, the beauty of this is you're dealing 00:13:00.21\00:13:05.65 with the whole person. 00:13:05.68\00:13:07.02 Absolutely. 00:13:07.05\00:13:08.38 You are not just feeding, and this is really insightful, 00:13:08.42\00:13:12.92 Belinda, you can feed, just like you said, 00:13:12.95\00:13:16.16 you can feed them but then what happens when they go back 00:13:16.19\00:13:20.30 and they are yelling at their kids 00:13:20.33\00:13:21.63 or beating them, you know, to a pulp 00:13:21.66\00:13:24.23 because they don't understand discipline 00:13:24.27\00:13:26.90 and parenting. 00:13:26.94\00:13:28.27 Exactly. So now you are looking at... 00:13:28.30\00:13:30.01 You're feeding them 00:13:30.07\00:13:32.81 but you're giving them tools for living. 00:13:32.84\00:13:34.81 Yes. 00:13:34.84\00:13:36.18 And these tools include the most important, 00:13:36.21\00:13:39.68 which is Jesus Christ. 00:13:39.71\00:13:41.05 None of this costs a dime. 00:13:41.08\00:13:43.02 For them. For them. 00:13:43.05\00:13:44.99 It's all free. 00:13:45.02\00:13:46.42 The service is free, the teaching is free, 00:13:46.45\00:13:52.53 we give professional development class free 00:13:52.56\00:13:54.86 because we're here to mimic Christ 00:13:54.93\00:14:00.44 and what He did on this earth. 00:14:00.47\00:14:01.97 And He didn't just pray and walk away 00:14:02.00\00:14:05.91 but He looked at the need and He filled that need. 00:14:05.94\00:14:08.81 That's right. 00:14:08.84\00:14:10.18 And when we put ourselves in a box and say, 00:14:10.25\00:14:11.78 "Well, we just do Bible studies." 00:14:11.81\00:14:14.05 Then you're limiting yourself from extending the arm of God 00:14:14.12\00:14:17.39 to doing more for those individuals. 00:14:17.42\00:14:19.79 And here is something that I didn't mention 00:14:19.82\00:14:21.26 but when we go into the jails, we visit the people, 00:14:21.29\00:14:24.59 also find out where their parents, 00:14:24.63\00:14:27.60 where their children are because one of the things 00:14:27.66\00:14:30.53 that is important is making sure 00:14:30.57\00:14:32.83 we touch the parent's children. 00:14:32.87\00:14:36.20 This year in prison ministry, we went to their homes 00:14:36.24\00:14:39.51 and got to know them and we got gifts for them. 00:14:39.54\00:14:41.94 The church, Bethel Seventh-day Adventist Church made a treaty, 00:14:41.98\00:14:44.85 and partnered with us 00:14:44.88\00:14:46.21 and when they partnered with us, 00:14:46.25\00:14:47.58 we were able to give them the names of the individuals 00:14:47.62\00:14:49.72 that were incarcerated. 00:14:49.75\00:14:51.45 And then we took it upon ourselves 00:14:51.49\00:14:53.52 to give it to our community service department. 00:14:53.56\00:14:55.59 And they went and got the gifts for those individual families. 00:14:55.62\00:14:58.89 And those gifts were given those children 00:14:58.93\00:15:01.03 from their family members. 00:15:01.06\00:15:02.53 Oh, that beautiful. How cool is that? 00:15:02.56\00:15:04.07 Beautiful. 00:15:04.10\00:15:05.43 So it says to the child you're not forgotten... 00:15:05.47\00:15:08.17 No, that's what... 00:15:08.20\00:15:09.54 Even though the parent isn't here. 00:15:09.57\00:15:10.91 Exactly. You're not forgotten. 00:15:10.94\00:15:13.24 And the women there were overwhelmed with tears 00:15:13.27\00:15:15.98 because they couldn't be there. 00:15:16.01\00:15:17.55 Yes. 00:15:17.58\00:15:18.91 And they already felt like they failed. 00:15:18.95\00:15:20.28 Yes. 00:15:20.32\00:15:21.65 But then when we said, "Well, listen, 00:15:21.68\00:15:23.02 we're going to buy your children Christmas stories 00:15:23.05\00:15:24.39 this year from you." 00:15:24.42\00:15:26.42 What would you say behind bars, "Really? 00:15:26.45\00:15:31.06 My kids?" 00:15:31.09\00:15:32.43 And then we actually do follow through 00:15:32.46\00:15:34.30 and deliver those gifts, absolutely. 00:15:34.36\00:15:37.67 So you don't know what it means to the individual 00:15:37.70\00:15:41.60 that's in need and that can't help themselves 00:15:41.64\00:15:44.44 in those situations because you can't look at people 00:15:44.47\00:15:46.64 in jail say, "You're guilty, guilty." 00:15:46.68\00:15:48.01 Everybody is not guilty. That's right. 00:15:48.04\00:15:49.58 One of them said, "I'm so glad you went 00:15:49.61\00:15:52.65 and talked to my children today. 00:15:52.68\00:15:54.88 There are too many things that y'all bought to the house 00:15:54.92\00:15:59.95 and we really appreciate," did you know, 00:16:00.09\00:16:01.72 it just makes them feel good. 00:16:01.76\00:16:03.09 Yes. Yes. 00:16:03.12\00:16:04.79 Because they are not there to be able to parent directly 00:16:04.83\00:16:11.40 and they feel like, "What can I do for my child from here?" 00:16:11.43\00:16:14.77 Yes. 00:16:14.80\00:16:16.14 And when you show them the love of Jesus... 00:16:16.17\00:16:19.57 Wow. 00:16:19.61\00:16:20.98 What else, I mean... 00:16:21.01\00:16:22.34 And you're helping to feed and then when they get out, 00:16:22.38\00:16:25.58 this whole thing of what do you do 00:16:25.61\00:16:28.55 when you get out, how do you get your kids back. 00:16:28.58\00:16:32.65 Sometimes the women are separated from their kids, 00:16:32.69\00:16:34.92 they have no where to go, no direction... 00:16:34.96\00:16:38.16 We have someone that she's been Bible studies to, 00:16:38.19\00:16:41.93 that's been coming to our home every week right now 00:16:41.96\00:16:44.17 because she is trying to get through 00:16:44.23\00:16:45.57 why she can't get her kids. 00:16:45.60\00:16:46.94 And she wants her children. 00:16:47.00\00:16:48.34 And so she is counseling her. 00:16:48.37\00:16:49.70 But at the same time, when we do what we do 00:16:49.74\00:16:52.87 with those children, you know what came out of that, 00:16:52.91\00:16:55.38 four of those ladies now work with us 00:16:55.41\00:16:58.05 and giving away food, they volunteer their time 00:16:58.08\00:17:00.65 for Women Working with Women. 00:17:00.68\00:17:02.35 They come in and help me with the office. 00:17:02.38\00:17:04.35 They come in, and do PowerPoints with me, 00:17:04.39\00:17:07.29 they brainstorm with me. 00:17:07.32\00:17:09.06 Come on, these were... 00:17:09.09\00:17:11.99 We are unable to do this but they... 00:17:12.03\00:17:13.36 Because we did what we did, they now are wanting 00:17:13.43\00:17:16.20 to give back to the organization, 00:17:16.23\00:17:18.20 and they are volunteering their time. 00:17:18.23\00:17:20.04 Praise the Lord. 00:17:20.07\00:17:21.57 But the best gift is it makes you closer to Christ... 00:17:21.60\00:17:23.91 Yes. When you help somebody. 00:17:23.94\00:17:25.67 Yes. Yes. It's such a joy. 00:17:25.71\00:17:28.18 You're not only helping them when they go to jail, 00:17:28.21\00:17:30.45 those girls helped us and we must help them. 00:17:30.48\00:17:33.65 Their testimonies strengthened us. 00:17:33.72\00:17:35.65 Yes. You know. 00:17:35.68\00:17:37.29 It's just wonderful. It's just wonderful. 00:17:37.32\00:17:39.69 And, Sister Maxine, you've written a book. 00:17:39.72\00:17:43.12 Yes. 00:17:43.16\00:17:44.49 You've written a book about 00:17:44.53\00:17:45.96 The Blessings of a Single Parent 00:17:45.99\00:17:47.83 because you're going into these prisons 00:17:47.86\00:17:51.87 but you know firsthand about being a parent, 00:17:51.90\00:17:55.10 a single parent. 00:17:55.14\00:17:57.41 Tell us just a little bit about 00:17:57.47\00:17:59.57 your journey as a single parent. 00:17:59.61\00:18:05.71 I don't feel like a single parent anymore 00:18:05.75\00:18:07.68 since I got married to Jesus. 00:18:07.72\00:18:09.15 Oh, I love this. I love this. 00:18:09.18\00:18:11.15 I don't see myself as a single parent 00:18:11.19\00:18:12.52 but when need come, I call on Jesus. 00:18:12.55\00:18:14.19 Yes. 00:18:14.22\00:18:15.56 And my children would call in need, 00:18:15.59\00:18:16.96 I will call on Jesus. Yes. 00:18:16.99\00:18:18.46 He always fulfills my needs when I call. 00:18:18.49\00:18:22.33 And it's just a blessing to know, 00:18:22.36\00:18:25.13 I don't need nobody but Jesus. 00:18:25.17\00:18:26.84 Yes. 00:18:26.87\00:18:28.20 You know, when you got Jesus, you don't have to worry 00:18:28.24\00:18:30.44 about nothing and nobody. 00:18:30.51\00:18:32.67 You don't have to fear nobody 00:18:32.71\00:18:35.21 because you know who got your back. 00:18:35.24\00:18:36.85 Yes. 00:18:36.88\00:18:38.21 And that's about having that personal relationship 00:18:38.25\00:18:39.75 with Christ. 00:18:39.78\00:18:41.75 He gives you the Holy Spirit just fill you, let's you know, 00:18:41.78\00:18:46.19 "Don't worry. 00:18:46.22\00:18:47.82 Don't worry." 00:18:47.86\00:18:49.19 This way I can tell my children, don't worry, 00:18:49.22\00:18:50.93 I got one daughter think, "Momma, so Jesus do what He do 00:18:50.96\00:18:54.36 but Jesus wants you to help yourself." 00:18:54.40\00:18:55.96 I say yes but there's only so much you can do. 00:18:56.00\00:18:57.87 That's right. 00:18:57.90\00:18:59.23 And what you can't do, He will do, 00:18:59.27\00:19:00.67 but you got to do something, I understand that. 00:19:00.70\00:19:02.50 Right. Right. 00:19:02.54\00:19:03.87 And that's what the book is about. 00:19:03.94\00:19:05.27 And I don't let you complaining about nothing, 00:19:05.31\00:19:07.44 when something comes, that means God allowed it. 00:19:07.51\00:19:11.48 So you thank Him. 00:19:11.51\00:19:13.35 I don't care if it's death, He allowed it. 00:19:13.38\00:19:17.32 You thank Him for the death 'cause He knows best. 00:19:17.35\00:19:19.39 Yes. 00:19:19.42\00:19:20.79 We don't understand but He knows. 00:19:20.82\00:19:22.76 That's right. 00:19:22.79\00:19:24.16 With that kind of trust, she wrote that book 00:19:24.19\00:19:26.36 based on just what she said. 00:19:26.39\00:19:28.36 Everything seemed to be okay because He's done it from me 00:19:28.40\00:19:30.50 in the past, He will do it again. 00:19:30.57\00:19:32.33 So in there it is blessing after blessing after blessing 00:19:32.37\00:19:35.57 which we now call miracles, you know, with respect you say, 00:19:35.60\00:19:39.71 God is still performing these miracles that people 00:19:39.74\00:19:43.01 just don't know about, and she was itching 00:19:43.04\00:19:45.01 to let people know, "Look what happened to me." 00:19:45.05\00:19:47.12 That book could be called "Look what happened to me." 00:19:47.15\00:19:49.42 Oh, I love it. 00:19:49.45\00:19:50.79 I love it. I love it. 00:19:50.82\00:19:52.29 Look what happened... 00:19:52.32\00:19:53.66 These are a lot of miracle stories. 00:19:53.69\00:19:55.89 Yes. 00:19:55.92\00:19:57.26 That show that God will bring you through. 00:19:57.33\00:20:00.73 This is not just so that Sister Maxine can tell you 00:20:00.80\00:20:03.73 her journey, this is also to encourage you 00:20:03.77\00:20:07.30 that God will bring you through 00:20:07.34\00:20:09.14 whatever it is you're dealing with. 00:20:09.17\00:20:11.44 And now you have the testimonies 00:20:11.47\00:20:14.51 of your two wonderful daughters who are carrying the baton. 00:20:14.54\00:20:19.48 They are continuing the work that you started. 00:20:19.51\00:20:22.55 Nothing but a blessing. 00:20:22.58\00:20:24.79 I think that's why it's all faith based 00:20:24.82\00:20:26.42 'cause everything... 00:20:26.45\00:20:27.79 Faith is the key to what we are doing. 00:20:27.82\00:20:29.59 We get that faith from her because I know 00:20:29.62\00:20:32.93 when she took me to boarding school, 00:20:32.96\00:20:34.30 Rochester, Indiana, the gas tank was on E. 00:20:34.30\00:20:37.10 But God took us to Indiana, the Rochester, 00:20:37.13\00:20:39.53 Indiana out of Indianapolis when I was in boarding school, 00:20:39.57\00:20:42.27 that a good hour drive and back. 00:20:42.30\00:20:44.24 And she did that on E. 00:20:44.27\00:20:45.97 So I know there's a miracle there. 00:20:46.01\00:20:47.51 Yes. 00:20:47.54\00:20:48.88 I know that we went to Oakwood, and we're still trying 00:20:48.91\00:20:50.48 to figure out who paid the bill. 00:20:50.51\00:20:52.45 We know the power of faith and it doesn't come by seeing, 00:20:52.48\00:20:56.02 it comes by hearing. 00:20:56.05\00:20:57.42 Yes. 00:20:57.45\00:20:58.79 And it takes you a long time to get that, 00:20:58.82\00:21:00.22 people don't get that because people really think 00:21:00.26\00:21:01.72 faith is by looking at what we got. 00:21:01.76\00:21:03.43 Faith comes by the ears. Yes. 00:21:03.46\00:21:05.76 And you hear a lot of wonderful faith stories 00:21:05.79\00:21:09.56 but when it happens to you, it becomes real. 00:21:09.60\00:21:11.97 Yes. 00:21:12.00\00:21:13.34 One time, one day, no money, she prayed for me, 00:21:13.40\00:21:15.60 "Lord, send something." 00:21:15.64\00:21:16.97 And the next day, till this day, 00:21:17.01\00:21:18.34 we don't know who, a check comes in the mail 00:21:18.37\00:21:20.28 for all this money and she is "Where? 00:21:20.34\00:21:22.78 Who? What?" Faith. 00:21:22.81\00:21:24.15 Faith. Yes, Jesus. 00:21:24.21\00:21:25.55 We have seen it happen. Yes. 00:21:25.58\00:21:26.92 It's who we are now. Isn't that amazing? 00:21:26.95\00:21:29.32 It's definitely amazing. 00:21:29.35\00:21:30.69 That the seed has been planted, mom planted the seed, 00:21:30.75\00:21:34.22 mom has her own... 00:21:34.26\00:21:36.42 She is one those saints with like the red phone, right? 00:21:36.46\00:21:39.79 So she calls Jesus up, "Lord, please, help me," 00:21:39.83\00:21:43.90 and He is there. 00:21:43.93\00:21:46.53 And now you've seen this. 00:21:46.57\00:21:48.37 And I know our viewers are going to want to know 00:21:48.40\00:21:50.17 how to get this book because they are going 00:21:50.24\00:21:52.51 to want to know too. 00:21:52.54\00:21:54.54 Don't we want to know, how to call Him up 00:21:54.58\00:21:57.01 and He is there to help. 00:21:57.08\00:21:59.75 How can they get this book? 00:21:59.78\00:22:01.28 All they have to do is go to 00:22:01.32\00:22:02.65 WomenWorkingwithWomen.org website, 00:22:02.68\00:22:04.99 and they can go online and you can see her book 00:22:05.02\00:22:07.46 on the website, and you can order 00:22:07.49\00:22:08.99 the book there online. 00:22:09.02\00:22:10.36 Might be somewhere on the back of the book, 00:22:10.43\00:22:11.79 on the back of the book, on the bottom, 00:22:11.83\00:22:13.50 a link down there. 00:22:13.53\00:22:14.83 Yes. 00:22:14.86\00:22:16.20 Women Working with Women, we will just go with that. 00:22:16.23\00:22:18.13 Yes. 00:22:18.17\00:22:19.50 And so just reach out and send the donation 00:22:19.53\00:22:24.54 to Women Working with Women. 00:22:24.57\00:22:26.74 This is so important. Tell us what you need. 00:22:26.78\00:22:30.61 What does the ministry need? Oh Lord, help us. 00:22:30.65\00:22:34.02 We need a facility. 00:22:34.08\00:22:35.42 We need transportation. We provide food weekly. 00:22:35.45\00:22:39.32 We partner with public, it's a grocery store 00:22:39.35\00:22:41.96 but yeah, we partner with them 00:22:41.99\00:22:43.32 Yes. Yes. 00:22:43.39\00:22:44.73 So we get food every Friday and Sunday, 00:22:44.76\00:22:46.09 and we feed the community. 00:22:46.13\00:22:47.46 We load up our car and we go into the community, 00:22:47.50\00:22:49.56 and we deliver those breads and pastries to organizations, 00:22:49.60\00:22:53.03 churches, we give them to those families 00:22:53.07\00:22:55.44 or those churches and those organizations 00:22:55.47\00:22:58.31 that are in need of food. 00:22:58.34\00:23:00.18 We also need a facility so that we can have 00:23:00.21\00:23:03.78 everything under one roof, so that we can do 00:23:03.85\00:23:06.08 an entire transition from incarceration, 00:23:06.11\00:23:11.42 from addiction to sobering, to studies, to educating, 00:23:11.45\00:23:15.59 to church, to just the entire presence of that. 00:23:15.62\00:23:19.79 One of the things that I wanted to add to what she said 00:23:19.83\00:23:21.83 is not only do we give food and clothing, 00:23:21.86\00:23:24.77 we have suppliers that give us physical supplies, 00:23:24.80\00:23:28.84 everything from diapers to deodorant, 00:23:28.87\00:23:31.24 I mean just anything you could possibly need in your family. 00:23:31.27\00:23:34.08 And we are talking about huge, I mean, 00:23:34.14\00:23:37.45 boxes maybe two or three times the size of the refrigerator 00:23:37.51\00:23:41.55 that are tall or you have to go up 00:23:41.58\00:23:43.59 and into full of diapers, full of... 00:23:43.65\00:23:46.29 And then another one full of other types of things 00:23:46.32\00:23:49.16 like paper towels and tissue and just tons of things. 00:23:49.19\00:23:52.26 So we're talking about being able to show people 00:23:52.29\00:23:56.03 that you don't always have to give something 00:23:56.06\00:23:57.93 to get something. 00:23:57.97\00:23:59.30 Absolutely not. 00:23:59.33\00:24:00.74 That sometimes there's enough love out there 00:24:00.77\00:24:02.17 when people really can show you that it's okay to... 00:24:02.20\00:24:05.34 And, you know, sometimes you have the limit of take two, 00:24:05.37\00:24:07.51 take three, take... 00:24:07.58\00:24:08.94 We have never said that. 00:24:08.98\00:24:10.35 We never have to say that ever. 00:24:10.38\00:24:11.71 Really? With food too. 00:24:11.75\00:24:13.42 Take whatever you want, whatever you need. 00:24:13.45\00:24:15.22 We had so much bottled water left over 00:24:15.25\00:24:17.62 at the last facility, 00:24:17.65\00:24:18.99 and they were half gallon bottles, 00:24:19.02\00:24:20.46 big, beautiful half gallon bottles. 00:24:20.49\00:24:22.76 There were so many cases of water 00:24:22.79\00:24:24.79 and everything was over. 00:24:24.83\00:24:26.70 And people were going, 600 people have come 00:24:26.73\00:24:28.73 to taking cases and cases. 00:24:28.76\00:24:30.53 There was so much left over, 00:24:30.57\00:24:32.67 we're just looking at each other. 00:24:32.70\00:24:34.04 We just allowed them to come back 00:24:34.10\00:24:35.44 through the line again, and they were blessed. 00:24:35.47\00:24:38.27 A full basket but you give me one can of corn 00:24:38.31\00:24:40.64 and one can of peas, take five cans of corn 00:24:40.68\00:24:43.41 if you needed, take four turkeys if you needed, 00:24:43.45\00:24:45.45 take three chickens if you needed. 00:24:45.48\00:24:47.08 That's the kind of giving we give. 00:24:47.12\00:24:48.68 Wow. We don't give one, one, one. 00:24:48.72\00:24:50.19 We also have a storage that we have approximately 00:24:50.25\00:24:53.32 10 refrigerators and freezers that we have in storage 00:24:53.36\00:24:56.59 right now because we have no facility to put those in. 00:24:56.62\00:24:58.96 Do you know if we had a facility to put those in 00:24:58.99\00:25:01.30 then we could provide the service every day 00:25:01.33\00:25:03.57 that this organization that does give us 00:25:03.60\00:25:05.20 all these supplies do it on a regular basis 00:25:05.23\00:25:07.70 but they have now been doing on a quarterly basis. 00:25:07.74\00:25:09.94 And we've been giving it immediately from the truck 00:25:10.01\00:25:11.91 to the community. 00:25:11.94\00:25:13.27 We don't even house it because we don't have 00:25:13.31\00:25:14.71 a housing to have it. 00:25:14.74\00:25:16.08 So therefore, the housing is so critical 00:25:16.11\00:25:18.65 on that part of the aspect. 00:25:18.68\00:25:20.35 But the other part where we're teaching 00:25:20.42\00:25:21.85 the goodness of God and where we're educating 00:25:21.88\00:25:23.92 and empowering through addiction 00:25:23.99\00:25:25.49 or through incarceration, that part of facility 00:25:25.52\00:25:28.52 is being able to have a seminar down the hallway, 00:25:28.56\00:25:31.33 everything located. 00:25:31.36\00:25:32.69 Church service is to your right. 00:25:32.73\00:25:34.10 Come on, where the vision there, 00:25:34.10\00:25:36.83 other people can do it, why can't we. 00:25:36.87\00:25:39.63 That's right. And we're here at 3ABN. 00:25:39.67\00:25:42.24 So my new t-shirt for our women's conference 00:25:42.27\00:25:44.44 is going to be, "Won't He do it?" 00:25:44.47\00:25:46.64 Won't He do it? 00:25:46.68\00:25:48.01 Because He is doing it and this is not something 00:25:48.04\00:25:50.85 we called about, we didn't enquire to be here. 00:25:50.91\00:25:53.52 The Holy Ghost himself had a call come to us 00:25:53.58\00:25:57.72 and we're here today because of faith. 00:25:57.75\00:25:59.82 Amen. That's right. 00:25:59.85\00:26:01.26 We heard the voice and we thank you so much 00:26:01.29\00:26:02.62 for having us. 00:26:02.66\00:26:03.99 We are blessed. The Lord did this. 00:26:04.06\00:26:05.39 The Lord absolutely did... 00:26:05.43\00:26:06.76 He sees what you're doing and He is blessing you 00:26:06.80\00:26:09.40 step-by-step. 00:26:09.43\00:26:11.03 And our viewers are very giving concerned Christians 00:26:11.07\00:26:15.94 who want to help. 00:26:15.97\00:26:17.31 And so once they know the need, 00:26:17.34\00:26:20.21 they will reach out and help you 00:26:20.28\00:26:22.44 because the Holy Spirit will work on their hearts 00:26:22.48\00:26:25.25 and press them to help. 00:26:25.28\00:26:27.42 So please whatever the Holy Spirit impresses you 00:26:27.45\00:26:29.58 to do, please make sure that you send something 00:26:29.62\00:26:34.36 to Women Working with Women. 00:26:34.39\00:26:35.76 You can go on their website. What's your phone number? 00:26:35.79\00:26:38.53 352-87-8555. Say it again. 00:26:38.56\00:26:42.60 352-872-8555. Good. 00:26:42.63\00:26:47.97 It's on the screen, and so our viewers can call, 00:26:48.00\00:26:54.91 they can go to the website. 00:26:54.94\00:26:57.61 They will be able to reach you. Yes. 00:26:57.65\00:27:00.65 What's your closing thought for women 00:27:00.68\00:27:03.28 who are going through something? 00:27:03.32\00:27:04.82 Thirty seconds. 00:27:04.85\00:27:06.19 What do you have to say to women? 00:27:06.22\00:27:07.92 Don't give up. Trust in God. 00:27:07.96\00:27:11.03 Know that He has you. Know that you're not alone. 00:27:11.06\00:27:14.03 "He would never leave you, nor will He forsake you, 00:27:14.10\00:27:16.50 for He is the head and not the tail." 00:27:16.53\00:27:18.93 And trust in Him in all that you do. 00:27:18.97\00:27:22.17 Yes. Amen. Amen. 00:27:22.20\00:27:24.34 Thank you so much. 00:27:24.37\00:27:25.91 I can't thank you enough for sharing your vision. 00:27:25.94\00:27:30.05 And I'm so excited about Binky's Place. 00:27:30.08\00:27:32.15 Me too. 00:27:32.18\00:27:33.52 It will be named after my sister. 00:27:33.55\00:27:34.98 And she would have loved that because she would 00:27:35.02\00:27:38.82 take people into her home. 00:27:38.85\00:27:40.26 Yeah. 00:27:40.29\00:27:41.62 My sister was so generous, as you know, and funny. 00:27:41.66\00:27:44.26 Yes. 00:27:44.33\00:27:45.66 And so she would take people into her home, 00:27:45.69\00:27:47.03 so to know that some place is being named after her, 00:27:47.03\00:27:51.43 she would be so happy. 00:27:51.47\00:27:52.80 Yeah. 00:27:52.83\00:27:54.20 And so when we get to the kingdom, 00:27:54.24\00:27:55.57 we're just going to all rejoice together. 00:27:55.60\00:27:57.17 Yes. Thank you so much. 00:27:57.21\00:27:58.54 And thank you for joining us. 00:27:58.57\00:28:00.51 Join us next time 'cause you know what, 00:28:00.54\00:28:02.68 it just wouldn't be the same without you. 00:28:02.71\00:28:06.05 Yes, right. 00:28:06.08\00:28:07.45