Many of us are familiar with the ministry of Above Rubies, run by Collin and Nancy Campbell. They publish a magazine by the same name dedicated to “Encouraging women in their high calling as wives, mothers and homemakers”. It has blessed me greatly over the last few years, and my children devour the magazine. I love to have them read and reread the articles and be strengthened in their convictions regarding family and especially YHWH’s opinion of family.

I want to share with you a letter I recently received regarding Collin and Nancy’s daughter Serene Allison. (Serene also has a video, Rejuvenate With Serene, teaching about healthy eating.) Sam and Serene have a wonderfully welcoming heart toward children, and have truly taken to heart the dire situation facing orphans in war-torn Liberia. They have five biological children, and have adopted eight children from Liberia. Adopting these children was a move they made on faith, knowing that YHWH sets the solitary in families. Sam and Serene are now in need of intercession and (though they would not ask) financial assistance. Please read the following and prayerfully consider how YHWH would have you become involved.

The letter is from a close personal friend of Serene and Nancy’s, Kelly Rackley of Razorback Rubies, and it is shared with her permission. (Thank you, Kelly!)

I spent quite a while on the phone with Nancy yesterday. Serene and Sam are under a lot of stress right now. They are involved in a custody battle for 2 of the children from Liberia. You may remember Naomi from the conference. She and her sister (or is it a brother?) originally came to America to live with another family, but the family couldn’t handle it and asked Sam and Serene to take them. That has been about 6 months ago…there’s been no help financially from the other family and no involvement. Sam and Serene want to adopt these children….they love them and the children love being in their family. But the other parents have said no and instead want to put the children in our foster system. Serene spent 2 days in court a few weeks ago trying to get the children. This area needs lots of prayer…for Serene and Sam (S and S) emotionally, for all the children involved, for justice for these children, an d that the other parents will see how wrong what they are doing is.

The roof of their house has been temporarily fixed. They can all live there. BUT there is no running water…..there hasn’t been for a few years. Right now they have winter rain water to supply water for washing dishes….but all showers and laundry have to be done elsewhere. With 13 people, WOW that’s tough. S and S paid a LOT of money to have a well dug last year, but they dug 400 feet and still never found water. Now S and S are still paying for the well that has no water AND they need to try to have another well dug. Also, they have a hot water heater, but it doesn’t work and no one knows how to fix it. Nancy feels like if Serene could just have the “luxury” of a hot shower she would feel like a new person. Of course, Serene doesn’t complain….but Nancy is still her mother (we all know how that is), and she is protective of Serene.

If you know Serene and have visited with her at all….you know how positive and relaxed she is. Nancy said if you were to talk with her she would tell you how wonderful her life is and how good God is. During the times of stress Serene is calm….but subconsciously the stress is building. Nancy said that several times over the past few months Serene has had “spells”….sounds like anxiety spells. One happened Thursday night and really scared Serene. So much so that she and Nancy went to the hospital. They ran all sorts of tests, but found nothing wrong.

This is getting really long….but pray for them. They are doing the Lord’s work loving these 8 children from Africa plus their own 5. Serene is an AMAZING mom. Scott (my hubby) listened to her encouraging and blessing each of her children before she left to come to the AR retreat and was moved to tears. Satan wants her to feel defeated, overwhelmed and stressed.

Also, Serene is attempting to homeschool 11 of her 13 children who are ALL learning to read. The Liberian children still need help learning to read and do simple math. Nancy said that really all 11 of them need one-on-one instruction. They are praying for someone local to volunteer to come help Serene teach these precious children.

Not only are we in a position to pray for S and S and family, some of us may want to help financially. They definitely need our help, but would never ask. I told Nancy, “They didn’t ask. We volunteered.” For now Nancy said the best way to help is to send a check to Above Rubies and in the “for” section put Serene and Sam. Her webmaster needs to fix something on the online donation form that tells HER (Nancy) where the money goes. If you have already donated online, either email or call Nancy (877-729-9861) and tell her about your donation and that you want “X” amount of money to go to S and S. Nancy also said you can mail the checks directly to the PO Box on the website….she thought it might be easier for us ladies. That address is PO Box 681687, Franklin, TN 37068-1687.

I think that’s all. Please feel free to email with any questions and I’ll answer them if I can. Also, as I re-read this letter before sending I want to make it clear that the Campbells and the Allisons are attempting to glorify God with their lives and with their families. No one is complaining, just stating facts. Sometimes the facts ARE difficult….but that doesn’t mean that Serene is unhappy or wishes she’d made different choices with her life. Nancy and Colin fully support Sam and Serene and love all their precious children. I love Serene and Nancy (and all the Campbells) and I know you all do, too. That’s why I’m writing to share this with you, so that you can PRAY for them and (if you felt lead by the Lord) can help them financially.