Can you help? The initial 10,000 copy printing of our book, Wild Child Waiting Mom, is nearly depleted – and it’s time to reprint. We’ll be printing the same book, cover, and design through Focus on the Family (not under Tyndale), and this time the expenses of printing will be met by Wild Child Ministries.

We need to raise $5,000 to cover costs and are hoping you can help meet this need. The good news is that the money will return to the ministry as copies are sold, to be used for additional printing.

We are praying that God will provide funds for this second printing so we can continue to encourage struggling families. No gift is too small. Thank you in advance for your donation!

IT’S A WAR ZONE OUT THERE:

Research has shown that more than 75% of Christian teens are leaving their faith (or churches) after graduation from high school (stated by the Barna Group, and Lifeway Research). What a sobering statistic! It is Wild Child Ministries’ desire and purpose to be “in the trenches”—battling with families through prayer, counseling, and solid biblical resources, for the return of their prodigals—to help draw these loved ones back to a living, vibrant and energetic faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

VOICES FROM BATTLE-WORN PARENTS:

“Please pray over my sons . . .” (One has been disowned by his unsaved father, and seems to be searching for Christ. The other is into Buddhism and very disrespectful with his parents.)

“We are raising our 16-year old grand-daughter… we have had her since she was three. She is awaiting court for selling drugs at school. Right now we just need to know where to turn for help. Loved your book and it opened my eyes on many things about my grand-daughter I didn’t realize.”

“Our daughter left home 10 weeks ago . . . without our blessing or knowledge. . . . I just found your website tonight and am so encouraged to know that we are not alone. . . . Please pray for us and for our daughter.”

[Our son] continues to struggle and we’d appreciate your prayers once again. He was sober for two years but one drink started the whole thing all over. …We are grateful for the Good Samaritan who found him unresponsive at the park and called an ambulance. He is alive only by the grace of God. He is facing up to a year in jail because of a third OWI. Thank you for your prayers.”

WCM – IN THE TRENCHES:

Currently, I am still meeting regularly with a few single moms in the Grand Haven area as well as meeting one-on-one with parents of prodigals. I also have the opportunity to invest a considerable amount of time into a young single mother of two, who is hoping to soon attend college. This is an exciting time for me. I am blessed that God is giving me opportunities to share my insights and compassion with all of these individuals. I ask for your prayers as new opportunities develop to speak and work with individuals and churches.

We stand amazed at God’s continued blessings and provision for Wild Child Ministries. He has blessed us with YOU — our prayer partners and giving partners — and has answered so many prayers along the way: recently bringing Wendi back to better health, opening new doors of ministry, and providing strength and wisdom for daily responsibilities. We cannot thank you enough for your prayers! WE LOVE EACH OF YOU, and PRAISE GOD FOR THE LOVE YOU HAVE SHOWN US. 

♥ Even as parents’ hearts break for those children who choose to go the way of the world, so our Lord’s heart reaches out in love to His children who stray – Rom. 10:21

♥ He loves our prodigals more than we as parents can humanly love them – Eph. 3:17-19

♥ Does your patience wear thin? God’s love is PATIENT, KIND, and EVERLASTING! – Rom. 8:39

Our hearts are burdened

Not a week goes by, but that we hear from anguished mothers and fathers of children caught in the world’s web of deceit, the seeming “thrill” of wild living having captured their hearts (Christian and non-Christian alike). Yet, we know – we have seen – our powerful God, full of love and mercy, does step into the chaos of sin and rebellion to bring a prodigal back home. What a joy! What a testimony to God’s grace! We encourage each of you to pray regularly (by name) for any struggling teen of which you are aware . . . for, prayer avails much! (James 5:16).

Those of you who have not signed up for our e-mail updates may be unaware that Wendi recently faced a serious medical challenge. Two updates were sent last month, explaining Wendi’s extremely high liver function tests (acute hepatitis), very likely caused by a medication she was taking. We are happy to report that she is now feeling much better – though a full recovery will still take some months. THANKS TO EACH PERSON WHO PRAYED FOR HER. She was able to continue her college classes, but could not work. Please continue to pray for her, as she faces several unresolved medical issues.

Our hearts are thankful!

A WORD FROM WENDI:
Thank you all for your prayers. This time of sickness has been filled with reflection and renewed excitement about what God holds in the future. My masters’ studies are going well and with each class I realize that I am where God wants me to be.
I am currently working with, (mentoring) a few young ladies in West Michigan and enjoy the relationships that we are building. God is also opening some opportunities for me to tell my story. This month (November), I will be speaking at a local park where a homeless “box city” demonstration will be set up by local teens.
Please continue to pray that God will use me to impact people who are hurting. I truly love the ministry that I have been given and thank each of you for your prayers and support.

A WORD FROM KARILEE:
God has uniquely gifted Wendi with an ability to work one-on-one with individuals who are struggling – who continue to make poor decisions in life. She cares; and they know it. Yet, because Wendi has “been there,” she can reach out to others with tough love, a love that tells it like it is, while extending grace.
As I look back through the twenty years that Wendi strayed, remembering my cries to the Lord through tears, “How long, oh Lord, how long?” – I recall how Dan, in his wisdom, would encourage me with this reminder: “When Wendi comes back to the Lord, her experience will enable her to minister in a way that you and I could not.” HOW TRUE! Thank you, Lord!

Lastly, it is never easy to ask for money. Yet, the vision God has given us allows us to share our hearts of excitement for Wild Child Ministries. God calls. We answer. He enables. And He supplies.
In times of financial uncertainty, we realize not all can give to WCM. Yet, as we look to the Lord, we are confident that He will meet our every need as He sees fit.

September officially ushers in fall (at least on the calendar), and the resumption of school and classes. For Wendi, studies for her Masters began late August – she is already nearing the completion of her first class (Thanks again to everyone who showered her with cards for her B.A. graduation.) Please continue to pray for Wendi as she follows this path of God’s leading in her life.

The summer afforded many opportunities to share our book, Wild Child, Waiting Mom, and to counsel and encourage prodigals and their families. We continue to interact with parents facing the heartbreak of wayward children, and in this, we deeply appreciate your support and prayers.

The forces of evil abound in our world, attracting kids to the perceived excitement of a “wild” lifestyle: Live-in relationships, sexual promiscuity, drugs, blatant disobedience to parents, and/or renouncement of faith. Let’s continue to pray these children back into a living, vibrant walk with the Lord.

Yes, God is at work – and some of the prodigals we have prayed for have returned home! “With God all things are possible” (Matt. 19:26).

Wendi’s heart remains strong in her love to her Lord. She is passionate about her calling to reach out to prodigals – especially girls – and this passion draws her toward completing her degree in counseling. Yet, as we look to the future we face some specific challenges. Please pray with us for wisdom, joy, and peace as we move toward the future.

His strength is made perfect in our weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:9). In this we not only take heart, but rejoice with joy and expectancy.

Thanks for your prayers on our behalf!,

In His Grace,

Wendi & Karilee

Our Oct./Nov. fall newsletter will explain more of our specific outreaches and activities

TEN YEARS! As I pause this summer to consider my life, I realize that this December will mark ten years of living in Michigan – the place where I was changed forever as I let go of my rebellion and gave Christ control. And it is here, in Grand Haven MI, that I now live each day with a renewed passion to reach the lost. God continues to open incredible doors of outreach with many opportunities to witness right here where I live and work.

FANTASTIC SURPRISE – What a happy surprise it was to be showered with a mailbox full of cards and notes of congratulations from so many. THANKS to each one of you! For me, this has marked a milestone of great significance.

A FIRST FOR ME – This fall I will walk with my class in a formal graduation ceremony. This will be a first for me. Although I graduated from high school and later earned an associates degree, I did not attend either of those graduations. I’m looking forward to this one . . . (smile). Yet, there is more work to come:

HERE I GO AGAIN – It is hard to believe that in just two months I will once again begin new studies, this time working toward a master’s degree (in counseling). This degree is the next step toward the realization of my dream to open a home for troubled girls.

YOU ARE APPRECIATED! It’s hard to convey my gratitude to each one who supports WCM through prayers and giving, but I thank you all from the depths of my heart. Please continue to pray for me as I follow God’s call for my life, both now, and as I look to the future; for as the verse below declares, apart from Him I can do nothing.

Because of Grace, Wendi English

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing . . .      These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

- John 15:5, 11

Wendi English and Wild Child Ministries were featured in a Grand Haven (Michigan) Tribune article on December 19, 2008:

Pre-marital sex. Alcohol. Drugs. Abusive relationships. Homelessness.

Wendi English was the definition of a rebellious child, while her concerned parents incessantly prayed their daughter would settle down. Their prayers were answered, although it took two decades. Read the rest…