As Beauty for Ashes coordinator for my squad, I am the lead for women’s ministry. This mostly pertains to events where we encourage and love on other women by creating a safe space for vulnerability. These events can be held for any group of women. From church groups, community groups, the poor, the rich, young and old, we welcome them all. This past week I was blessed to host an event for my squad of 30. The leaders asked if the men could be involved, since we already have to be vulnerable with them. I responded with an ecstatic “yes.”
A few days before the event, I sat down at Starbucks and laid out every book I had before me; Bible, journal, Beauty for Ashes handbook and the Beauty for Ashes bible study workbook. My heart pounded with excitement and I opened up in prayer for guidance. God took full control and together we developed an event that was the essence of a normal Beauty for Ashes event but captivated the heart of men as well.
This event only took place through God and the help of my squad mates. I ran around town pricing items, converting them to USD and then making sure I wasn’t spending too much. It was difficult because I wanted to spoil my team and show them the abounding love they deserve…on a budget, haha.
I took my friend, Frieda, an amazing woman with a huge heart for Beauty for Ashes, and we both ran around town again the day before purchasing all we needed. That evening I was blessed with so many hands to help set up. Flick (Taylor) strung up “streamers” i.e. toilet paper. It was such a blessing having a guy help set up for the event and be able to share the next day that men and women prepared everything for them.
The next morning was such a blessing. Everyone was amazed and felt so loved. The food was great, laughter was shared and growth was seen.
Keeping with the Beauty for Ashes guidelines we started with an icebreaker game where we all picked an M&M and answered a question according to the color. After I shared a small lesson on Serving and Purpose. God 100% spoke through me. I have never “preached” before and it was amazing to see what he aided me in pulling together for the men and women. I had to rely on him because there are no lessons in B4A for men. It was such a fun experience seeing it all fall together. Lastly, I concluded with play-doh. Who doesn’t love that? Again, 100% God. I had no idea where I was going to find play-doh but I knew he wanted me to use it. He wanted me to have them create who God was and is “molding” them to be/into. It was beautiful seeing everyone’s creation and how God spoke to them.
