A former Cochrane resident and international women’s advocate will share her story at the Cochrane Alliance Church, located at 902 Glenbow Drive.
Marli Spieker, founder of Project Hannah, a global radio ministry that delivers self and family care guidance to oppressed women around the globe, will be speaking about her ministry and experiences at 10 a.m., Nov. 6.
“I am very excited,” said organizer Loraine Liang. “I have known her for 27 years, she is an extremely neat lady.”
Spieker moved from her native Brazil to Cochrane 27 years ago with her three children and missionary husband Edmund, in an effort to improve their English.
After spending two years in the area, the family re-located to the United States with Trans World Radio, a mission Edmund was involved with.
After Spieker’s children left home, she began travelling with her husband in his mission work. It was during a 1997 trip to Singapore that Spieker saw a couple during a 100-degree heat wave. The man was dressed in a T-shirt and shorts; the woman was covered head to toe in black.
The scene ignited Spieker’s anger.
“Her heart said, ‘this isn’t fair,’” said Liang. “She felt this lady was in prison in many ways…even in her soul.”
Motivated by the plight of this woman and buoyed by her past radio experience, Spieker founded Project Hannah, a ministry of Trans World Radio.
The first radio program was broadcasted in 1998 and offered practical advice, such as parenting and health tips, along with spiritual guidance to women.
The 30-minute radio shows are now broadcast in 56 languages.
“Project Hannah’s passion is to minister to women isolated by cultural, religious, or social segregation,” says Spieker. “One in four women across the globe are taught from birth that they do not deserve respect in this life, or the next. They are utterly alone and isolated, trapped behind walls of rejection, indignities, abuse, and spiritual darkness.”
Spieker has travelled to more than 65 countries, has ministered to women on virtually every continent and has written a new book, When Hope Wins.
She will read excerpts from the books and share experiences from her life during her visit to Cochrane.
“It is a message of hope for those who are feeling like they have no hope,” said organizer Esther Gunderson. “It’s a snowball effect. As you get help, you help others. It is well needed in our world.”
The event, A Message of Hope, will also feature several traditionally dressed women from around the world who will speak about their experiences.
“You can’t miss the message, it will be right in your face,” said Gunderson. “You will feel their pain and their joys.”
Everyone is welcome to attend the free event, which will include a brunch. A freewill offering will be taken.
For more information about the ministry, visit www.projecthannah.org To register for the event contact Gunderson at 403-403-851-6514 or [email protected]
