Equipped for Hope in Central Asia
When Sara* and Ben*, missionaries serving in Central Asia, were asked if they knew someone who could mentor students struggling with pornography, they realized something alarming: among all the mature believers and missionaries in their community, only one person had training to help.
As parents of four, and house parents for a boarding home associated with a nearby school for missionary kids, Sara said they have always felt uneasy about online dangers. They’ve often wondered if the protections and guidelines they’ve put in place were “enough.” So when the school requested help to face these types of dangers head-on, they felt a bit unprepared.
“We were struck by how under-equipped we were to address one of the enemy’s biggest means of destroying lives,” Sara said.
After discussing this need with their circle of connections, Sara and Ben turned to a close and trusted individual in the U.S. who would have just the right resources and suggestions.
Ariela not only grew up as a Global Partners missionary kid, but she now works for HeartMatters, Inc., as a junior content writer and an instructor teaching digital media safety in local schools.
Ariela led students through lessons on pornography and how to quit.
Located in Oklahoma, HeartMatters is a biblically based organization dedicated to demonstrating Christ’s love by safeguarding hearts and minds through digital media safety prevention and intervention programs. With a staff of 10, HeartMatters’ programs serve children and adults through their In-School Program, Parent/Leadership Presentations, the HeartMatters App and an on-site Resource Center.
When Ariela heard about the needs of the school in Central Asia and offered to lend a helping hand, Sara jokingly asked “by Zoom or in person?” Neither Sara nor Ariela realized the question would lead to a trip halfway around the world. But before long, Ariela and Kristie Jardot, outreach manager for HeartMatters, prepared to visit the school themselves.
For Ariela, this opportunity felt deeply personal and redemptive. Having grown up as a missionary kid herself, she understood both the unique challenges and the importance of providing gospel-centered support.
During the week, Ariela and Kristie led a dozen sessions for students, parents, educators, pastors and counselors, equipping them with tools to address internet safety and pornography addiction recovery.
Ariela focused on leading 6th-12th grade students through lessons on pornography and how to quit. She concluded with a video of other missionary kids sharing their own stories of struggling with pornography – stories that will also be featured on the HeartMatters app.
Kristie gave presentations to the parents, teachers, counselors and pastors on pornography and how to respond to exposure, addiction, and other digital media harms.
Ariela said many in the expatriate community already recognized the issue at hand, but felt unsure how to address it. For many local families, however, the presentations revealed just how pervasive pornography and other online dangers have become.
Sara said she personally left each of the sessions in tears – sitting through the presentations, it began to sink in that as parents, they had no idea what they’ve been up against.
“We were sobered by the reality of our need for divine intervention,” she said. “Praise the Lord, we have it! And this training was part of our Father’s provision for our community.”
Though only a few local pastors were able to attend the presentations, Sara and Ariela said the pastors were very moved and have a desire to equip other Christian leaders in the church with tools to safeguard their congregations from online dangers. Kristie talked at length with local leaders about how HeartMatters could resource the Church in Central Asia.
“We had no idea how far the ripples from this one pebble would go,” Sara said.
The pastors are even interested in exploring how to address the issue of pornography in local schools, by equipping them with curriculum and translating resources into local languages – even if by a worldly standard, this feels impossible to do. One pastor offered, “Perhaps this is the role of the church.”
Sara and Ben said that while the topics of discussion throughout the week were very heavy, the common denominator was a message of hope – something that HeartMatters is very intentional to highlight.
“Many people have told us that they feel encouraged and empowered to have these conversations with their children, along with other families,” Ariela wrote. “Throughout the trip, we prayed for our audience to be left with a sense of hope, and we saw exactly that.”
The impact has continued even after the team’s return home. Since the visit, a group of students at the school have started implementing what they’ve learned into their lives with the help of trusted adult mentors.
“Both students and parents have a few practical tools to implement. It is a start and we believe our Good Shepherd will continue to lead,” Sara said.
Through a former missionary kid, a ministry specializing in digital safety, Global Partners missionaries and local church leaders, God provided exactly what was needed at just the right time. What began as one school’s request for help has become an opportunity to equip families, strengthe
n churches and offer hope to a community motivated for lasting change. Thank you, Lord.
For more information on HeartMatters, Inc., visit https://www.heartmatters-ok.org/ or download the HeartMatters app. To schedule a presentation with HeartMatters, contact kristie@heartmattersok.org or call 918-336-9151.
*Names changed/last name omitted for security