deepest of heartaches
Tears are streaming down my face…
My heart is in my throat…
And I feel like throwing up.
Again.
All I can say is… Thank you for your prayers. And for simply letting me know you’re there…
: : :
Read the complete partner letter here →
A Note from Our Founder
As you’ve been aware while walking this road with us, the past two years have been extremely difficult for Thrive. We have encountered significant challenges that far exceed any other obstacle we’ve overcome in the past 13 years of ministry.
In spite of every effort to raise funds, our financial support has continued to dwindle. For the first time since our inception, we’ve found ourselves unable to sustain our basic operating expenses, for multiple months in a row.
Last month the Board of Directors came to the point of needing to make the most difficult decision we’ve ever made. We will officially be closing our operations in South Africa at the conclusion of the ministry year.
I am thankful that the closing of Thrive doesn’t mean a ceasing of the vital work we have been doing. We are supporting the launch of a new ministry, Ignite South Africa, through several of our staff members who will carry on large aspects of our programming.
I ask that you prayerfully consider continuing your partnership with us through April 2011. Incoming finances will be used to provide our indigenous ministry staff with severance pay and clear Thrive’s operational debts. It is our desire to finish strong and honorably in every way, and we need your help to do that.
We have much to celebrate and rejoice about as we look back at over a decade of ministry together in Africa. God has done incredible things, and you have been a vital part of that. Thank you for allowing Him to use you to bring the light and hope of Jesus to so many.
I so appreciate your ongoing prayers for me, our entire staff team, and everyone whose lives are deeply impacted by this transition. Thank you for everything.
With love, thankfulness, sorrow, and hope, my heart still believes…
God is good.
Read the complete partner letter here →
Oh Alece…I am sure your heart is broken. What a hard newsletter to write. Praying for you today.
@bernardshuford says:
Ouch.
And I am sorry.
I’m sorry for the fact that I sent a tiny amount of money but didn’t pray.
I’m sorry that I did just enough to soothe my conscience but never cried out to God for the ministry.
I’m sorry that I assumed that someone else would pray.
Even when you asked us to pray, I failed to do it.
Yet I claimed to support Thrive.
What a liar.
I’m sorry.
Alece, my heart is breaking…How is is possible to grieve over a ministry I’ve never had hands on experience with (outside of our sweet friendship) and a people I’ve never met? But when we got your letter last week, I literally gasped when I read that the Board had decided to shut down operations for Thrive. Then the tears came. Still feeling it. Still don’t know what to do with the feelings, other than pray.
The one bright spot in all of this is the fact that facets of what Thrive has been doing will be continuing through the ministry of the indiginous people you have led and trained there. Obviously, you have done something very, very right in that at least a portion of the ministry will continue. You have equiped and enabled them to be the ministers to their own people rather than creating a situation that requires dependence on you instead of on our Father.
I’m gonna send you an email about the rest of what’s going on in my head/heart.
Love and hugs from VA
Alece, I can’t even begin to imagine the pain you’re feeling through this process. But I do know that God is faithful and I know you are His. I am praying for the redemption and beauty that I know God will bring from what appears to be ashes, and for peace for your heart in the meantime.
@kylereed says:
I am very sorry to hear this Alece.
Sad that you had and your team had to make this very very difficult decision.
Praying for you and your team
i love you.
I’m praying for you and your team.
Ezekiel 36-37 is what I have been praying about for you personally.
May He breath fresh air into you.
@TomMartinATL says:
Alece, In the midst of such heartbreak there is a need to celebrate the lives that were changed because of this ministry and the legacy those efforts will carry forward in ways no one can imagine.
Hold on to the fact that God used you because you made yourself available to Him in the first place and that will be the case moving forward. I can’t wait to learn about the Grit & Glory of what God has equipped you for next. In my prayers!
My knowledge of Thrive is new, and I came to be familiar with the ministry as it’s time was beginning to close. Yet hearing of the Boards decision to close is a painful one.
I can’t begin to imagine the pain you’re feeling. Know that you are surrounded by prayer and those who love you and the work you’re doing.
love you. *hugs*
@dg4G says:
Love you Alece
@kedamak says:
I love you friend and I am praying for you. I echo Grant’s remarks, as I believe too that beauty will rise from these ashes. Sending you a heart hug today.
Alece…there are no words to say how sorry I am for you. You are in our thoughts and prayers!
So sorry to hear this, Alece. You and your team will be in my prayers.
@bajanpoet says:
I …. I’m …. speechless….
I’m sorry….
((((((((((((HUGS and TEARS)))))))))))))
I love you.
I’m right here…
grieving with you… praying for you… here if you need anything…
What Tom Martin said… YEAH! I know you need to grieve, but also celebrate that which still goes forward. God is Good. Even in this transitional time, that seems so full of endings, God sees NEW BEGINNINGS. Here is an opportunity to let go of the past and all the heartache that it holds for you, while the good carries on. He is giving you more time to heal, and then press on to the new things He has for you. I am so sorry for your heartache, but I’m also excited for what will come for you. And I’ll be reading right along as you get there. Blessings, girl. So many blessings.
Unless a single grain falls to the ground…I’m believing its just the beginning of something very rich that has just been planted and will give birth to much fruit!
-Kristin
@coloraturajoy says:
Praying. And hoping you can feel this hug I’m wishing your way.
You will always have my support, Alece. So many changes for you! So much world changing, all inside your own heart! I can’t imagine. I’m so glad for that tattoo on your wrist. His promise of shalom for you will never end. In my eyes you have done well.
@allison0105 says:
Sweet friend, I’m so sorry and I’m praying for you. I hope you find encouragement and peace through the midst of the heartbreak, in Him. I know you know that he’s got you, that He’s holding you now just like He”s been holding you through this whole, awful, gut-wrenching trial.
Love you so very much.
Alece, words can’t express the sorrow I’m feeling for you right now. Praying for you.
Alece, I support you through everything. No matter what you are a strong women you are a godly women that through the grit you still let God use you. My heart is breaking over this and what impact it has on you and many others. Let God wrap you in his arms, it is safe there. Love you.
We’re crying with you my dear friend. The story isn’t over yet. I really believe that.
Our heart and prayers are with you and the rest of the Thrive ministry team.
Alece,
I don’t know you and you surely don’t know me (I follow you on twitter and through your blog). I feel your pain through your letter, and my heart hurts for you today. Praying – because that is all I can do . . .
Alece.
Please take courage in knowing that often amazing things can flourish from the ashes of what was. Think of the image of the beautiful Phoenix coming through the ashes all the more beautiful and strong. God is still in control of all of it, so rather than seeing the end of this ministry as a terrible thing, rejoice as you are doing in the opportunity God gave you to see it through, and keep trusting that what He has in store for you and “the least of them” whom Thrive Africa helped will be ever all the greater and more beautiful than before. When one door closes another one opens. And sometimes the new door cannot open because the other one is getting in the way.
My husband lost his job a year ago in extremely painful and scary circumstances. But what the enemy meant to destroy us, God turned around and made it the catalyst for us to realising a dream we had had for years and kept putting off. The end of this ministry, though hard to believe today, may be just giving you the free road ahead to undertake something yet more special, if that is at all possible.
Praying for you.
Mercedes
Oh, Alece, I’m just so sorry. That’s so heartbreaking to accept, but know that this was not a failure. Whether this really is the end of the road for Thrive for good or whether God has something else in mind for it in the future, he has used it, and he has used you. Praying for you, friend.
@danielleH says:
*biggest hug ever*
*tears*
Praying for you on this day of new beginnings. I am not forgetting the loss. I am not forgetting the heartache. I am instead praying you into the next phase. It is something we cannot do for ourselves when we are in the midst of these things. It is something we must rely on the love of others to carry us through. The hand of God here. And yes, His heart aches with yours. Loving you in your brokenness. And in your rebirth. You are not your job. What does He have in store???
@tonyjalicea says:
I pray this is just a refocus. A closed door just means that a new door will be opening. I am confident that God has used you to mark Africa. He will continue to use what you guys are doing to bring His fragrance to every place you go.
Lifting you up today!
I’ve been sitting here trying to come up with some “wise words” and well the truth is, I can’t…..my heart hurts for you and grieves with you. I wish I could be with you to hug you and wipe your tears. I know Africa is grieving with you, but Africa is stronger because of what God has done through you and those things will last for an eternity Alece. People’s lives will forever be touched because of your calling……it’s not finished yet. One chapter is closing but a whole new one is beginning and I can’t wait to hear what the Lord does!! Kev and I are praying for you and sending lots of love and hugs your way!
I love you and am praying.
@bahava says:
my eyes are teary along with yours. i’m here. <3
@Nomadstacey says:
Same.
Still sitting here, still heart broken, still speechless.
Clinging to His promise of faithfulness and comfort.
praying new beginnings and brighter tomorrows for you.
i’m so sorry, alece. xo
Phil. 1:6
@hannahruthie says:
My life has been changed forever because of Thrive, and I am definitely not alone. My heart breaks for you and for Thrive, but I am so thankful for what God did.
I’m also thankful today that God is bigger than this and that God knows. Love you, Alece.
Beautiful Alece…….. Trusting that He is holding you tight, and that He is doing something in all of this that is greater than we even begin to think or imagine. Those aren’t just nice words…. I believe it’s true. Look at your wrist. May His permanent shalom wash over you in this hardest hour.
Nothing wasted. Not. one. thing.
Alece, I’m so sorry to hear this news. I can’t even begin to grasp how you must be feeling. I’m sure it’s among the hardest decisions you’ve ever been a part of.
I am here, Alece. Love you sweetheart.
Lifting you up. Isaiah 41:10
Just heard. I’m so sorry. I know that’s not strong enough, but it’s all I have. I’m so sorry. I have other words . . . but for right now, I’m so sorry. I will pray for you, for the financial needs, for peace and comfort, for strength, for perspective, and a few other things.
I’m so sorry. Many prayers coming your way today.
Alece,
I’m so sorry…my heart like so many others have already have expressed breaks for you and the staff of Thrive…
Praying for you friend…
@iloveblogs44 says:
The little one told me this morning she wanted to get on a princess plane to go visit you since you live far away. All I could say was “I wish we could, sweetheart , I wish we could.” Crying with you, praying for you in the days, weeks, and months to come as you grieve this loss. God has already done great things through you and I have no doubt He will continue to use you for His good…and I am looking forward to sharing that journey with you. It may not be on a princess plane, but SOME day, I will give you more than a virtual hug. Until that day, love and hugs from here.
Take care.
Tears are on my face, too, friend. I’m so very sad for you. And I just want to ask God, “Why?” I don’t understand why, when we dream big FOR HIM, He doesn’t make it all work out. I know His ways are best. I do. But things like this still hurt and make me ask why. Praying for you…
I love you so much, my frassie.
and I am so very very proud of you.
always and always. god is awake.
Romans 8:28. Praying for you. Hurting with you. Mopping tears for you. Listening to you. On my knees on your behalf.
@cassgirl says:
*here*
Praying and Lifting you up.
Love you!
I’m sorry I was not more supportive of Thrive. I’m sorry I didn’t send money. I’m sorry I didn’t pray more. I’m sorry I can’t comfort you somehow. I respect you so much for so many reasons. Right now I am humbled that you still choose to believe God is good. You are an amazing woman and He’s not finished with you. So much love and prayers Alece!
my heart is breaking big time with and for you today. praying hard.
So, So, Sorry Alece.
Can’t imagine what you are feeling…can’t imagine handling all that grief.
praying that our God will carry you through.
Love you.
@sonsti7 says:
Praying for you and the entire Thrive staff as you walk through yet another huge change.
Much love!
What heartbreaking news, Alece. I am so sorry. My heart aches for you. It is so hard to see the Lord when you are watching a dream die. I know His word promises that He has a plan for you, so I’m trusting that He is moving forward in that plan, wrapping you in His arms while He does. Praying for wisdom and more for you these days ahead.
praying for you
@mat2820b says:
Psalm 15: 16-17
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.
Offer it, Precious, as you have everything else. Love you. Praying.
@CandySteele says:
Sweet Alece, though we have not met face-to-face, I have been blessed by your sweet words and servant heart over the past couple of years. Please know that there is safe haven with us among the corn here, should you need a place to rest. Crying with you, praying over you, and am most certain God’s perfect handiwork will always be seen in you.
you are loved.
Praying for you friend….grieve and heal. pray that you can dream again… that seeds sown in sorrow will be reaped in shouts of joy. He’s no where near done with you…may the same courage that He gave you to move to Africa at 19, having been refined through the years with Thrive, be a catalyst to lay down your life for His kingdom in the next thing.
Shalom….
@crittyjoy says:
I have had you post open in my browser for hours. I just did not know what to say to you. I am so sorry Alece…for you and for the staff and those you have poured your lives into. I cannot even begin to imagine how you are feeling but please know that you are being prayed for and you are So. Loved. I may not know you face to face but interacting with you here, on twitter, and else where your beautiful heart is so evident. I know when God closes doors it is so hard…but other things are coming for you. His plans…even when we do not understand them…are perfect. While this is the end to Thrive for now….it is just the beginning of something new….something even more beautiful than you can imagine.
And amazingly the work of Thrive will continue in you. And in each person that the ministry touched….
God. Is. Good.
♥
Thrive will always have my heart. I learned and grew so much ib my three times there. Times I will always remember…forever. So many relationships good solid relationships. It breaks my heart what you have endured these past few years. I love and respect you so much. You have inpacted my life in so many ways. I love you…and one day I will have my own lill’ Alece :-) Praying for you.
I’m so sorry Alece…..I have no words….just know you are in my prayers…..
I love you.
@maryjohess says:
Love you alece-friend.
God has you and this ministry in His hand.
Nothing takes Him by surprise.
There’s always hope.
And yes, He’s always good.
((hugs)) and prayers
xxx M.
Just let your mind & heart go through each stage of grief. Filing away the great memories and letting go of those that cause you pain. God is faithful and we don’t always have the blueprints for tomorrow. That sucks some days, but I have to keep in the forefront of my small memory, that God is with me. Even when I can’t feel Him. Even when I am mad at Him. Trying to find the positive in the negative only happens when I get the heck out of the way! And there is a lot of positive that has come about from Thrive. Never forget that!!
@LindseyHartz says:
Oh Alece, I have no words of my own for you, so I’ll leave you with these
Romans 8:
26 Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. 27 He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. 28 That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.
I love you, and my heart is breaking for you~I will remain in prayer and expectation of the day these jagged pieces of your life are reformed into the beauty He promises and will provide.
I really do not know what to say. I am sad. Sad for you. Sad for me, I really wanted to come there some day on a missions trip. (probably a dumb thing to say) I know this has to be one of the hardest things you have ever had to do.
Alece, what is God calling you to do now? What will this chapter of your life unfold?
Alece, I know what it means to grieve over a ministry you’ve poured your heart and soul into. It’s tough. But I’ve learned that all good things, even ministries have a natural lifespan and end at some time. The Bride of Christ lives on, and that’s good news! I’m thankful for what Thrive Africa has done, and I’ll be praying for you as God gives you direction and wisdom in the next chapter.
First of all, I love the passion you have for South Africa and for Thrive Africa. I hate that you’re in so much pain and that the center has to close down (especially when people have donated so much money to a movie project…not naming names though). However, you will survive and go on and so will the people that God loves in South Africa. Who knows what’s next…and that’s scary. Very scary. You are being prayed for, loved on, and supported in this time…and people care. That’s the cool part. Let the church be the church to you right now, and cry those tears as a dream changes. I’m praying for you, Alece.
Oh, Alece…my heart hurts for you today. I know that this couldn’t have been the easiest decision for you and your team…and yet, it makes me wonder what good things He has in store for you ahead. I am praying for you and your team — for continued direction and obedience and, of course, future blessings wherever He leads you!
Praying for you
G
I am so so sorry Alece. My heart is broken. Africa, Thrive, felt like my home too and now, I feel as though a part of me is missing. I love you friend. We are praying for you daily. The tears are flowing for this loss but we know that God has all of it in his hands and we look to the future for what he will do through all of this!
Thank you Alece for giving me the opportunity to help you in your mission of faith. You have been called by your God to bring faith to those who need it most. You have served your God well with all the souls Thrive Africa has saved over the years.
You and Thrive Africa have made the world a better place, and if everyone served their faith with the passion that you guys have we would all be much better off.
I look forward to sharing in your next mission of faith, whenever and wherever that is.
Oh, sweet girl, when I got the letter in the mail, my heart just broke for you. It’s actually left it visible on my counter all week so that I could hold your cause dear to my heart. I cannot imagine the grief of this for you. Know that God has not forgotten you or South Africa for one moment. You are all very precious to Him. I can only imagine what He has for you next. Much love…
I checked the Thrive website earlier today just on a whim, then emailed you. Should have checked here first today!
Love you.
I think what is crushing my heart the most right now dear friend is that this is the final signifying blow to your very core. Its the rushing in of reality of all the dreams that have died and been torn apart and this was meant to be the sucker punch and the count to start but you won’t stay down…
and its all a bunch of christianize but its True. and Alece, I know its true and in the dying new is birthed and I’m praising Him for all that you are and Thrive has been and the glories He’s born and how He has worked wonders. I am a lifting you up and fighting for you and praying for relenting mercies water to flow.
o Alece, my heart breaks… He is good.
He is good. I can scarce whisper it alongside you but its true and going to be real soon.
loving you…
you pretty much echoed every single one of my thoughts.
Oh, Alece…I am crying for you right now. This feels like defeat. Like satan wins this round. But I KNOW God is bigger than this. I know He is good. I know He is good TO YOU. So I believe, like a phoenix rises from the ashes, God will make something stunningly beautiful rise from this death. For South Africa. And for you.
No tengo palabras ahora.
Te amo, amiga.
Happy Thanksgiving sweet friend. Praying for blessing for you tonight.
@ChristianNoob says:
I’m sorry to hear this. Just pray that you may restart your ministry in the near future.
@jeffgoins says:
So hard to mourn a season of ministry that is passing, but I’m trusting that God has something for you in this next season. My prayers are with you and the ministry.
Jesus loves you, this I KNOW.
@lauraparkerblog says:
Oh, friend-i’ve-Never-Met,
I am so sorry about this. What a hard grieving, a letting-go, a painful surrender. I can’t imagine. Praying tonight that the “God of all comfort” will meet you and encourage you and whisper HOPE into your heart.
Expectant Hope, at that.
Love from Thailand,
Laura
I’m back again. Just don’t want you to be alone. I do think of you every other 5 minutes. Praying for you sweetie.
@danielleH says:
Hey Love. Just checkin’ in on ya’. xo
Y