Beauty for Ashes pt.1

For most of my life, I have found myself in some sort of children’s ministry. I served in the nursery at my home church growing up, helped out with the youth group at my church in Florida, and taught for 5 years. 

Children’s ministry is my favorite, and it is definitely my comfort zone. So when God brought us to Guatemala and my team was placed with a couple who primarily focus on children’s ministry in their community, I slipped enthusiastically into the daily routine with little discomfort. (Aside from the language barrier that is.) But God loves to get us out of our comfort zones so he can stretch us. 

One day my team was brainstorming ideas of what to do for ministry in the afternoons, and one of the ladies on my team asked our hosts if there was any ministry here for the women. When they told us there wasn’t anything, the Lord put it on my team leader’s heart to put on a Beauty for Ashes retreat. 

If you aren’t familiar with Beauty for Ashes, it is based on Isaiah 61 where God sent the prophet Isaiah to let His people know that He hadn’t forsaken them. It says:

Isaiah 61:3 

“and provide for those who grieve in Zion—

to bestow on them a crown of beauty

    instead of ashes,

the oil of joy

    instead of mourning,

and a garment of praise

    instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness,

    a planting of the Lord

    for the display of his splendor.”

This retreat is designed to bring women to a place where they can hear about God’s love for them, how he values them, and that they have a purpose in his kingdom. 

I had received some training in Beauty for Ashes at my first training camp, but it wasn’t something that interested me. Kids were my focus; women’s ministry was not. I secretly hoped I wouldn’t have to be involved in a women’s retreat, but I found myself on a team that was fired up about hosting one. 

So, I had a choice to make. I could be off to the side missing what God wanted me to be a part of because I was out of my element, or I could jump in and play a role. God gently reminded me during prayer one day that I said yes to him for this year and the rest of my life. No conditions. With that, I shoved my discomfort aside and chose to be involved in what God was going to do.

As the plans progressed, the pieces began to fall into place seamlessly. Our host had a good friend that was a translator who was willing to come, we had a space to use, and there were two women willing to cook dinner for the retreats. 

There was only one last obstacle: money. In order to pay for the food and translator we needed to raise about $10 per woman to cover the three weeks we had planned for the retreat. And this was on top of our current fundraising for the Race. But if there is anything we have learned from our time following God, it’s that he provides. 

Without any money, we moved forward in full confidence that God would show up. We handed out invitations, figured out our script, then opened up our social media to post about the event. Our goal was to invite 40 women from the community so our overall cost would be around $400. We put it out there for our followers to see and left the rest in God’s hands. 

Within a few days more than double the amount we needed came in. God completely blew us away! We are now able to sponsor all 40 women as well as potentially host a retreat for the younger girls in the community. I loved watching God stir hearts so people back home can be a part of what He is doing here in Guatemala!

Women’s ministry wouldn’t have been my first pick, but God has given me his eyes to see these women the way he does. They need to know that they have worth and value in the eyes of their creator. They need to hear that he loves them, and that he has a plan for them no matter what they have done or what has been done to them. They have a higher purpose that goes beyond having kids, washing clothes, or cooking. God wants to use them to bring the gospel into the homes of the community and out into all the world. And he has put it on our hearts to be the ones that tell them.

What an honor.

I’m humbled by what God is doing. Our first night of the retreat was Feb 2nd, and we have two more coming up Feb 9th and 16th. Part two of this blog will be about our first night of the event with other parts to come later. Thank you to all who donated to sponsor a woman’s way to the retreat. Please pray for us as we continue to pour into these women. Pray for open hearts and minds, for freedom, and for renewed purpose for them!