Today was a day of pouring ourselves out—body, mind, and heart—for the women and children we came to serve. It took many forms, but in each one, I could see the hands and feet of Jesus being extended to these beloved souls.
One of the most moving moments came during what we called a spa day—something so simple, yet so profound for women whose lives have been marked by abuse, rejection, and the unrelenting weight of shame. For many, it was the first time anyone had ever washed their feet, massaged them, or painted their toenails.
I watched one young mother in particular. She laughed the entire time, her hands covering her face. On the surface, maybe she was simply ticklish. But I sensed something deeper. Her laughter, mixed with the instinct to hide, spoke of the quiet battle inside—a lifetime of shame whispering that she didn’t deserve even the smallest acts of kindness. Shame says, “You are not worth seeing. You are not worth loving.” But as the morning went on, I saw her and the others slowly relax, letting themselves receive what was meant as a blessing. By the end, they were holding up their feet, smiling as they admired the nail colors they had chosen for themselves.
The children, of course, had their own share of joy—immersed in coloring books, sketching, and crafts that kept the room buzzing with creativity. And apparently, my role as “child-holder” wasn’t limited to Sunday morning. A young boy hopped on my back for what turned into a twenty-minute piggyback ride. He laughed, he held on, and I realized my shoulders had become for him a place of safety and rest—something that can’t be taken for granted.
That’s the miracle of Deborah’s House. It’s not just a shelter—it’s a place where shame begins to lose its grip, where fear slowly gives way to trust, and where healing becomes possible. Letting go of shame, moving beyond the wounds of the past, and daring to trust again is a journey so difficult that many never make it past the first few steps.
But here, these women and children are making that journey. They are surrounded by people willing to walk beside them—for as long as it takes and wherever it takes them. They are loved because God loves them, and because He has placed them in the path of this remarkable ministry.
Today, I witnessed not just pampering and playtime, but holy ground—moments where the tenderness of Christ broke through barriers of pain, and the first rays of restoration shone into hearts that have long lived in the shadows.
Day 3 (yesterday) was
interesting and challenging and beautiful all at the same time. I was to work
with the three very little children and one boy who is what you would call the odd
man out. He’s 11 I think and not old enough for the adult activities and too
old for the activities of the littles. He is kind and very sensitive, found
crying inside yesterday because there was no good and obvious age group for him
to fit into. Then there is the little man, 3-4 years old who was difficult to
deal with during activities, disrespectful at times, but with the right person
(Brian), this little boy is sweet, joyful and clings like glue. It was a great
day at Debora just being with the women and children.
Day 4 (mid-day right now). What a beautiful morning. Ross,
Danny and Miracle took charge of the littles and the older boy and they did a
great job with activities to keep them occupied while their moms had their
first ever spa experience. My friend Dawn Finney did not have any idea how
significant
Lynne Punnett
FBC Ypsilanti
What a wonderful feeling knowing that you are able to help women and children. Praise God
ReplyDeleteBe missing on you Brother Briàn White!
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