Holy Hands Christian Ministries, Inc.
1637 Maryland Dr.
Albany, GA  31707
(229) 594-1053 Office

holyhands@holyhandsministries.org

Who We Are: A Christ Centered, Bible Based Spirit Filled Fellowship of worship and mission to the world beyond our doors.

A Sabbath From War

Over Fifteen months ago, I left South Carolina to train and deploy to war in Afghanistan. Tomorrow, 13 May, I will be returning home; to my wife and three children and many friends in the state. I want to start by thanking the many readers of the Times and Democrat for their prayers after our scheduled delay in Kuwait. We were able to get a flight back to Ft Riley to begin the demobilization process on 8 May. After being away from wives, children and other family/friends for so long, I can't tell you the joy everyone experienced when that flight seemed to miraculously come from nowhere. Many of you wrote me expressing your support and prayers and I will never forget. When I wrote about leaving for war back in January 2007, I was honest with the reality that I might not come back. At that time, I sealed letters to members of my family to be opened in the event I did not return. My wife and I had to discuss hard issues like my Will and even where I might be buried. We had to come to terms with the seriousness of the deployment and what might occur and how the family was to go on. As time drew near to actually leaving for Afghanistan, everyone in the family realized how dependent we were upon God's grace for my life. I can recall a discussion with my Pastor in which we talked about the reality of death and God's sovereignty over life and death. It was a discussion I would remember throughout the year.

As this deployment came to a close, the anticipation of coming home became overwhelming. We reached the point in which we were so close we began to yearn to see our great nation and our loved ones again. I know my thoughts went to the massive amount of time I had missed with my wife and children. More importantly, my thoughts went to how I would make up for it. The tough part of being a spouse and parent while deployed is the sense of guilt that comes with being away for so long. You know you're sacrificing and making a difference for the nation, and yet you also realize you are not able to fulfill your duties as husband and father. When the duties of the deployment ended, all I could think about was getting back as soon as possible to start being a father and husband again.

Additionally, as a Christian I began to ponder all the Sundays I had to work while deployed. In the war zone, Sunday is just another day with all the stresses from being in combat. You can sometimes find the one hour of time and a church service. However, even the church service is whatever is available. In my case, I found Christian services but had to accept the fact that I could not pick the denomination. Throughout most of the year, I attended UK military "High Church" Anglican services. At times, I attended Roman Catholic services. What became clear was the incredible importance of the American freedom of religion. We can worship God in the manner God puts in our heart and spirit through our respective understanding of the Bible. Additionally, I realized the importance of the "Sabbath rest" on Sunday. After a year of missing this rest, it is clear why God ordained this day for our own good.

What I pondered most as I was flying toward America was God's grace and sovereignty over the events of the past year. For all of us in Southern Afghanistan, so many "near miss" situations in which we could have been killed. Whether it was mortar rounds landing close by, bullets "zinging" by heads, or IEDs blowing up nearby, God's protection was all around. I can recall reading Psalm 91 to groups of soldiers in my command in which God guarantees His protection to those who seek Him. I can recall all the many times we prayed in groups before heading out on combat patrols. I remember reading e-mails from those of you back in the United States telling me about your prayers for our protect. Those prayers clearly had the right effect. God was with us through the many difficult and dangerous situations. He was with us as we attempted to train and mentor the Afghan National Security Forces. He was also with us when we had the opportunity to interact with the few Afghan Christians enduring such persecution.

This war will always be a part of all of those who experienced it. I have attempted to give the readers an idea of what we saw and did throughout the year. However, the actual sights, smells, emotions, experiences are impossible to fully describe. War is an evil. It is unfortunate that the Islamists brought so much war and death to so many places. It is even more unfortunate that these same men attempt to convince others that God approves of their violence and terror. The war in Afghanistan was brought to us by these men, and one that America had no choice but to fight after 9-11. Despite the evils of war, those of us who have served in Afghanistan have seen good come out of this experience. The nobility of soldiers sacrificing so much for other human beings: Both their families and friends back home and their fellow soldiers in war. The experience of growing closer to God due to the recognition of His sovereignty over life and death in combat. I will leave this experience a bit changed, but changed for the better. The memories of death and ugliness will always be there. That is something I will not forget. However, the memories of nobility, sacrifice and God will also be there. Those memories are what I plan to build on for the rest of my life.

I again thank everyone for their support. God Bless America!

Sola Fide,

Bill Connor

Sunday, March 26th, 2008, our Pastor, Chaplain Warrener baptized 11 inmates at Lee State Prison who made their confession of faith in Jesus Christ.

He lights my pathway. He restores me. Jesus comes and lives inside of me till there is no room for me, till my fruit is sweet and the aroma pleases  Our Father.

The truth is I am no longer, but He that lives in me, is. Who motivates me, who gives me passion, who makes me happy, joyous and free?

When Jesus enters it is no longer my will but Thy will be done. I am now led by the Spirit who lives deep inside me, not beside me. My decisions are now that of the Holy Spirit who leads and guides me. I have been made holy not by my own deeds, but by the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ. My Father now looks at me through the shed blood of His very own Son.

Jesus came that I might be reconciled to the Father that I might no longer be motivated by self-seeking and self believing. Jesus Himself is getting this house in order which belongs to Him. I've been given to Jesus and He has redeemed my soul for His eternal glory. Now in order to reside with Him for all eternity, I must live in a world of which I am not of, but in.

Therefore the Holy Spirit guides me to be of service to others. Who and where isn't my concern my only concern in the physical is to praise and worship the Father to offer myself each and every day anew to Him. As I am the living sacrifice. To pray and on purpose guard this body, this mind and this soul.

But even these things I must do through Jesus. For under and through Jesus courage and wisdom come. Then and only then can I, the one who has professed to be the seeker of truth, find that what I really am is the seeker of Jesus, the seeker of the Heavenly Father, the seeker of the Spirit of God Himself.

Yes, now, I can truly claim to be a seeker of truth. Now only now can I be free, for whoever the Son sets free is free indeed.

Love, Michele

I wracked my brain trying to come up with an opinion I'd ever changed my mind about. In the past I didn't care enough about anything to have opinions. Growing up, I was always told that my opinions didn't matter. As a result, I chose not to form opinions about anything. As I got a little bit older opinions did not matter to me because I was too concerned with taking more alcohol and drugs to make me numb to any feelings at all.

By choosing this path, it led me down a road to destruction and despair. I was at a point in my life where I couldn't live with or without drugs. The first opinion I faced making was answering the question, "Do I want to live or die?".

Facing the reality that I was killing myself forced me to finally form an opinion - I wanted to live. I sought help through treatment, which led me to a 12 Step program. Being in early recovery, my mind was still not clear enough to form my own opinions, so I followed other people's opinions. If I admired someone, I would adopt their opinions as my own.

As I worked the 12 Step program my mind began to clear enough to experience feelings. As I came in touch with these new feelings my opinions got stronger. I no longer needed to rely on others to mold my opinions, and I began to see flaws in others' opinions that I was not able to see before. This opened my heart enough to form a relationship with God.

My relationship with God has been a changing point in my life. It has given my life purpose and meaning, and has allowed me to care deeply for those around me. Now I can't help but have opinions. God's love for me has helped me love others enough to take a stand when I see them heading down the wrong road. I now voice my opinion , loud and clear, when I see others taking the destructive path that I had taken.

I no longer need to have my opinions approved by other people. God's opinion is the one that matters most, now. And I have His Word to confirm that my opinions are valid and do matter.

In Christ,
Janice

Pastor's note:  Janice will be leading a new ministry at Holy Hands Ministries, Double Trouble Recovery.  She is now being faithful with what God has given her, recovery.

Double Trouble in Recovery (DTR) is a twelve-step fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other so that they may solve their common problems and help others to recover from their particular addiction(s) and manage their mental disorder(s).

DTR is designed to meet the needs of the dually-diagnosed, and is clearly for those having addictive substance problems as well as having been diagnosed with a psychiatric disorders.

Why The Change In Attitude?

Metamorphosis:

Good morning, the change is this...I see now, how I really do belong to him. First, He says that He knew me before I was formed in my mothers womb (Jer 1:5)  And all my life I have felt that connection. Then in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, I can identify. (With what He reveals to me). How I went through these sinful ways but the blood of Jesus cleansed me.

  For example, yesterday I watched this tape about God's creations and they were describing the caterpillar's eating habits. How it ate of the leaves of a poisonous plant yet it doesn't harm the Caterpillar it only serves to protect the butterfly as she's laying her eggs because the butterfly lays her eggs on that same plant and the birds stay away from her. It's the poison that the Caterpillar digested that ends up serving a far greater purpose. I know some how that all that I've been through all that I have digested, so to speak, is for an even greater purpose.

Addiction Recovery Ministries

The Millennium Center is a treatment program in Cuthburt, Georgia, whose goal is designed to currently help restore and reunite 22 mothers and their 32 children? Their aim is to provide sane in-treatment whole family living units which have come to blows with this ravaging storm of addiction. They provide a way out—there is a solution!

This is a program, where mothers gain an intense understanding of their addiction and how to utilize new life skills. They learn how to cope with emotions, feelings, and practical and applicable skills are taught.

CHRISTIANITY IN THE COMBAT ZONE

Having served in Southern Afghanistan now for almost five months, I have discovered an important story our national news media appears to ignore. That story is the importance of Christian faith to so many of our soldiers serving in combat. Before the South Carolina deployment, I wasn’t sure how many others would turn to God for strength and support. How would the other Infantry soldiers behave in relation to God in a dark and violent place? Would I remain faithful in such an environment as Southern Afghanistan? The Infantry is a tough profession and many men feel pressure not to appear "weak" in outwardly turning to God. They must maintain the mindset of being ready to kill at a moment’s notice. Despite all this, I have found Christian faith is what has sustained me through the many trials since I left home in February. This is in addition to the tremendous pain of separation from my wife and children. As I will describe, I also found many soldiers who turn to God for strength and protection. This story, of Christianity in the combat zone, is one America needs to hear.

Upon arrival in Afghanistan, I found that small teams of 10-15, who operate independently, will generally pray before beginning mission. I mention "operate independently" to point out their practices are not being driven by senior leaders. On multiple occasions, while I visited our advisory groups throughout the Southern region, I noticed a similar routine. After preparing vehicles, weapons, and communications equipment, soldiers would come together in a circle. This happened just prior to loading in vehicles and leaving the forward operating base to the dangers of Improved Explosive Devises (IED), suicide bombers, and ambush. In the prayer circle, someone would ask who had the lead for the prayer. Every man put his arms around the men to his left and right and lowered his head. At that point, someone in the group begins the prayer. In each case, the decision to join the group in prayer is completely voluntary (and not pushed by the official chain of command), and yet everyone voluntarily participates.

The prayer circle is a routine shared by so many of our groups of soldiers. It is an emotional event, binding the group together like nothing I have seen. Every man realizes his dependence upon God for protection (Regardless of the degree of combat preparation, injury or death is always a possibility when leaving the FOB). On a personal note, after being part of a prayer circle, I was on a mission which involved an enemy mortar attack. In this attack, an enemy mortar round landed only about 15-20 feet from where I was standing. Despite this close proximity, I was not hit by one piece of shrapnel. The only person near me, who was also part of the pre-mission prayer, caught shrapnel in his body armor but no injury. This was a close call, and one that can only be explained by God’s grace. After the attack, our team moved to a safe location. I led the prayer that time and thanked God for His protection that day (Note: Many soldiers have more miraculous stories of God’s protection in the combat zone. I would recommend reading "A Table in His Presence" to hear of Miracles during combat in Iraq).

Another interesting observation about Christian "salt and light" throughout the combat zone: Regardless of the location or situation, soldiers find ways to worship God. At a small isolated base in a hostile location near Pakistan, 18 soldiers found a way to build a small Church and worship God on Sunday. Being isolated, they had no assigned Chaplain and this was a place Chaplains would not be able to visit on any kind of regular basis. Therefore, a lay-Christian Army officer took on the role of being "de facto" FOB Chaplain. With no clerical training, he put together sermons and Church service for the other Christian soldiers. In addition, he formed a Bible study attended by many of group.

On another somewhat isolated base of only about 40 Americans (no Chaplain), soldiers put together a Wednesday morning Bible study and Church service. It may not sound like much time to take out a few hours a week for worship. However, most soldiers in the combat zone work long days, seven days a week. They have very little free time to write home, talk to loved ones, read non-military books, etc. The time they spend in worship may be their only real "free" time in the week. Regardless, Christian soldiers take this time for God every week. Interestingly, though Christians are ordered not to proselytize (this order, covering Iraq and Afghanistan is a one-way street, as it is perfectly acceptable for Muslims to present their faith to American soldiers) I have discovered some Afghans who are Christian. If they are associated with the US military, they sometimes attend to the Christian services noted above. It is quite amazing to see the courage of Afghan Christians who risk their very lives to worship God.

I have one last observation about Christianity in the combat zone. Though much of the United Kingdom has turned from Christianity toward becoming radically secular, many of her soldiers are turning to God. I am currently serving in a forward operating base made up primarily of British soldiers. In Helmand Province the UK military has sustained horrendous casualties in the past two years: 20 dead last year and 35 dead in the first eight and a half months of this year. In this dark and violent province God’s light shines through. When I attended a memorial service for four UK soldiers killed in action, I saw something that brought tears to my eyes. Hundreds from this base attended the memorial and all bowed their head to pray with the base Chaplain. His prayers were Biblical and in the name of Jesus. In addition to other Bible verses, the chaplain read from Ephesians 6: 10-18 "The Armor of God". Please read this to understand the emotional impact. Such a moving moment and I later prayed that some of the men would go back to the UK and begin a revival. Of course, this prayer service did not see the light of day in UK newspapers.

Though our press does not mention the stories above, it’s important for the American public to know this truth. Many in our military are turning to God, and in some cases find God through the horrors and sacrifice of war. They will return with a deeper appreciation of God, their families and our nation. War is horrible and yet through the darkness of the evil of war, God appears to be bringing light out of darkness. Let’s all pray that He will continue that work in the hearts of our deployed sons and daughters and bring them home safely.

Holy Hands Assembles Hygiene Kits
For Albany Rescue Mission

Something To Believe In...
                     By
           Janice A.

I was a child born of inner turmoil.
The depths of my soul were filled with
anger and despair. I was awakened at
night with nightmares of terror.
I would lie in my bed pleading with God
for the noise to stop, but He did not hear my plea.

My mother would often tell me- there was no use to
call on God because He would not help, that He would
just turn away, so my belief in Him faded, and I took the road
to bitterness and destruction that ended me into a life centered
around addiction, this I thought was the way!!!

I went through many years of searching for my way.
During my path to destruction,
I have hurt many that came in my way.
And I begged and pleaded with God to plan my way,
And this time He heard my plea.
He took me by the hand and showed me the way.
Today I can say that I am a proud member of AA.

Life's Promise
        by
   Janice A.

Sometimes I go through trials and tribulations and
it seems like it is never going to end.
But as I grow and prosper in the life of the Lord,
my life will become much simpler to endure.

The pain and sorrow that lives in my heart will
soon fade away.
The love of the Lord will fill my life with much
love that will last for eternity.

The promise that God makes to me here on
earth is that He will give me everlasting peace
and harmony within my soul that not even
Satan himself can take away.

BRIDGING THE WORD IN PRISON

Holy Hands reach out to the Hispanic community in prison.

We will be sponsoring a new Spanish Bible Study at Lee State Prison.  Our goal is the bridge the language gap through Bible Study and help Hispanic prisoners join the general Christian community at prison the prison worship services.  The prison Study leader is a member of both the Hispanic community and a worship leader for the general community.

We have purchased a Case of 24 Reina Valera Spanish Hardcover Bibles and equipping the leader with videos, DVD's and Study Guides.

Special Ministries We Support