Black eyes, knocked out teeth, a "Cutter" & The blue robe!

Preach the Gospel Always: When Necessary, Use Words ~ St. Francis of Assisi

This past Thursday night, The Esther Alliance team packed up our mobile “glam squad” and hit the road… Our destination this night, the northland domestic violence shelter. For almost 11 years, we have provided unique programs and services to reach women and children in crisis. On this night we would provide ‘spa manicures.’ I’m always amazed at the volunteers that partner with me! They are incredible!!!   Women that have ‘stories’ of their own, taking time away from their families, missing dinner sometimes and willing to be a blessing to those that could never do anything in return. I’m forever thankful for the support!

I never know what to expect upon our arrival at the shelter – I’ve seen sights of abuse that would make you wonder if you were on the set of a war or horror movie. Women and children with bruises, black eyes, broken arms and legs, neck braces, broken jaw bones with their mouth wired shut, lots of missing teeth, busted lips and most of all – an overwhelming sense of defeat and hopelessness lingers around. It-is- heartbreaking to say the least!  This night was soon to unravel into one of the most wonderful and lovely encounters of all time. Upon loading up our weekly supplies, gifts and snacks, I discovered new bath robe in my pile of donations. I felt I was to put it in a birthday bag in expectation of a birthday. I’ve never done this before – taken a birthday gift in.. I was like, O.K Lord? I trust “you” know what you’re doing here.

As my team assembled our “mobile spa”, I gathered with our V.I.P’s to meet with them, explain who we were, handed out door prizes and explain the series of events for the night. As I looked out into the crowd of our ladies, my eyes and heart ached in a new way I’ve not felt before.  14 delicate, precious and broken women sat looking at me. As if they had invisible signs around their necks stating “make me feel loved, special, beautiful, important AND ALIVE” It was a very sobering atmosphere. In all the years and times working with these special ladies, I can honestly, truly, sincerely say – I HAVE NEVER SEEN SO MANY WOMEN WITH VISIBLE VIOLENT ACTS OF ABUSE AND INJURIES IN ONE SETTING!!! EVER! Nearly every woman was missing teeth and had visible injuries.

This night would be one like no other, as we had two ladies that did not understand any English at all! One was from France while the other only understood Spanish- Can you imagine the bravery and courage they had to have to enter into a shelter and not have the ability to communicate! I wonder how they called the hotline? How isolated they must feel. We truly had to minister the love of God in a practical way – and without using words!!!! OMG!!!! THIS IS WHAT THE ESTHER ALLIANCE IS ALL ABOUT!!!! It was very emotional and my entire team realized just how tender the next moments would be. We treated all the ladies to a hand massage, paraffin wax treatments, polishing of the nails, chair massages, snacks and showered them with unconditional love, encouragement and support.

It was soon one of our guests (non English speaking lady), in her best English, informed us that ‘this was a special day’ she kept saying ‘so special, so special… my day” It was then we discovered that it was her BIRTHDAY!!!!! WOW!!! I did hear from heaven on this one!!!! And I had just the gift for her! THE ROBE!!!! I pulled the “happy birthday gift bag” from behind the couch and presented it to her. As if she were a child on Christmas morning, her face was full of joy, excitement and emotion. Soon the entire room began to sing Happy Birthday to our new friend! It was beautiful!!!! She was so excited for the robe and said it was ‘favorite color’ (baby blue) Wow!!! How precious! That is just like our Heavenly father!!! To show up in a way that touched her! AND US!!!

As the night progressed, we had the opportunity to minister the love of God to each and every one of the 14 women that visited our ‘spa’ One little lady was only fourteen years old – she was in custody of the State after her father was murdered, her mother abandoned her and after she had escaped horrific abuse by her Grandparents. She was a ‘cutter’ (self inflicting pain / cuts up and down her entire arms!!!) Only 14 years young…the only way of coping with all her pain was to cause more pain! My heart ached knowing she was dealing with so many issues.. My God, she is the same age as my oldest daughter – I CAN’T IMAGINE how abandoned she must feel. How in the world can we reach her? Love her? Inform her that God has a plan for her life in that little window of time we have!

When Necessary, Use Words!

"I've made myself available to those who haven't bothered to ask.
I'm here, ready to be found 
   by those who haven't bothered to look.
I kept saying 'I'm here, I'm right here'

Isaiah 65: 1 – 4 The Message