In June, while my team and I were in Rwanda with the organization HOPE Rwanda we had the opportunity to host a Beauty for Ashes event with women from the community and ones we had been sharing life with that month.
We got to open up with these women about our past hurts, successes, insecurities and failures. We talked about the scary things that hold us back, the things we want to forget and the moments we wished never happened.
Sharing is hard, but sometimes sharing the difficult things no matter how uncomfortable spawns a freedom from the lies that once kept us silent. Vulnerability is contagious. The vulnerability that comes from allowing ourselves to be fully seen compels others to do the same and cultivates an environment for healing.
The women that attended the event were able to not only be vulnerable with each other about their pasts but also transparent with each other about their current struggles.
That day, those women took a step of faith and shared their fears out loud because they believed their community of fellow sisters in Christ would not shame or reject them but comfort and encourage them in their moment of complete exposure—this is beautiful, this is true fellowship! The freedom to confidently make yourself known knowing you will be built up instead of torn down.
Testimony
During the event, our team focused on the topic of redemption and being covered by God’s grace. We focused on the truth that once we are daughters of Christ there is no escaping His grace. His love for us is mercifully reckless and we will always be God’s first choice even when He’s not ours.
When the question, “Where was Jesus?” in the midst of our pain was asked to the women, it got quiet. We asked our translator why it got quiet all of a sudden and she said “it’s because they do not know?…they are whispering amongst themselves that they do not know where Jesus was in their suffering…how could a gracious God allow suffering”. After the event was over, one of the women from the event approached us and said she had an answer to our Jesus question. We all waited to hear her answer in anticipation as we wanted to know if the women had understood the message we gave. She told us, “Jesus was with me. He was by my side, sharing in my hurt, crying with me.”
Isn’t this statement so profoundly true. Jesus crying with us, for us. John 11:35 says, “Jesus wept.” Human compassion is not something Jesus ran from but He allowed Himself to feel it because we are important to Him. We were important to Him back then just as we are important to Him now.
Jesus is always by our side because that is who He is–a FAITHFUL God. A God that in spite of this His own creation rejecting Him, He will still choose them again, every time.
So, what is Beauty for Ashes? And how can I get involved?
Beauty for Ashes is the women’s ministry of Adventures in Missions that focuses on the restoration of hope and healing in women. Women of all ages can get trained to be facilitators and host retreats, workshops or 1-day events. Facilitators are then equipped to train women from all over the world to carry an attitude of empowerment by breaking down societal norms they have been inadvertently taught to carry. Women that attend these events leave knowing where their strength and confidence truly come from through the sharing of biblical stories, testimonies and fellowship. To learn more about this ministry or getting involved contact them via email at [email protected].
Here is an inside look at our event schedule if you were curious:
Schedule:
- Opening prayer
- Welcome & Intros
- Worship (song selection: Goodness of God, Way Maker)
- Mini teaching on Women Covered by Grace (Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, Mary)
- Time of Reflection & Explanation
- 2 Interactive Activities
- Where was Jesus? discussion
- Memory verse (Psalm 107:2)
- Pass out keepsakes from event and mini refreshments (cookies & tea)
- Worship (song selection: God is so Good)
- Closing prayer
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