Hi, my name is Mark Russak. Nine years ago my daughter Lauren and I hiked 43 miles on the Appalachian Trail with the team from Beauty for Ashes. That hike changed my life forever. One evening during our daily devotional and prayer, my daughter Lauren was sharing how Jesus had changed her life at Beauty for Ashes. Everyone was sharing how Jesus had changed them, but I could not share. For the past ten years before that day, I had allowed my heart to become hardened from war, cancer, and addiction. I had refused to allow any real hope or joy be a part of my life. I had turned and walked away from Jesus. As everyone headed back to their tents, I wandered off into the woods to pray. I asked Jesus to change me and restore me. As I stood there in those tall trees, I felt the Holy Spirit come over me and melt my cold heart. I began to cry like I had never cried before in my life. I felt His love wash over me and restore my soul. I think it rained every night during that hike but it was one the most joy-filled times of my life.

 

This year, God answered a prayer from nearly 20 years in my past. I asked Him then to allow me to one day to use my experience and training in war to help those in great need of the Gospel. It was daughter, Lauren, that lead me on my first Mission Trip to the Dominican Republic. In fact, she has lead nearly everyone in our family there over the years. If someone would have said nine years ago that God was going to use Lauren and I to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ overseas, I would have laughed in their face. But our loving God had a Plan, for both of us.  

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God doesn’t just use Beauty for Ashes to change the lives of the women and children in the program but He uses it to change and restore the lives of their families too. That is why I am a firm believer and supporter of Beauty for Ashes and the mission of Pastors Cindy and Mike Zello. I love helping Pastor Mike take care of Base Camp for the Beauty for Ashes hikers. I can’t wait to be in those mountains with all the wonderful people from Beauty for Ashes. 

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Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise! (Jeremiah 17:14)

 

Thank you for supporting me and the ministry of Beauty for Ashes