This past month I had the opportunity to host my first Beauty for Ashes event since I was given my new position of Beauty for Ashes Coordinator. Beauty for ashes is a worldwide non-denominational, faith-based women’s ministry. It exists to bring God’s restoration, hope, and healing to suffering and victimized women through ministry and training. They believe in creating safe spaces to be real with ourselves and others, leading with vulnerability, and acknowledging the unique gifting’s of each person.
The name Beauty for ashes comes from the passage in Isaiah 61:3 that says, “To all who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for His own glory.”
In 2004, God spoke to Seth Barnes, founder of Adventures in Missions, about the woman of Swaziland being the hope for their nation. In a culture where there is much brokenness (a large population of orphans and widows), and many people hiding behind topics such as AIDS, shame covers this country like a blanket. The overwhelming question was, “What can be done?”
As God continued to speak, the idea unfolded for a “Storybook Weekend,” where women would have a safe place to be authentic and vulnerable in sharing their stories, lifting the veil of shame in a loving community. In these communities, many women would find freedom and healing, empowering their nation to do the same. Though it was apparent humans couldn’t save an entire country from AIDS or prevent beautiful children and women from being orphaned or widowed, they did have the power to love-and love they did!
Over 40 Swazi women and 7 American women came together for a three-day weekend of exchanging their ashes for beauty. They encountered the transformational love and freedom of Jesus and got to share the deepest parts of their hearts and lives. Some stories had never been told, and many of the women had never encountered the “church” in this way. This wasn’t just an event or retreat, it was God’s heart pouring out and His people experiencing Him in ways never before tasted.
Shortly after, in August of 2009, six American women (almost all strangers to each other) came together in Sarasota, FL for their own mini version of what took place in Swaziland. Again, there was a flood of stories, tears, and God’s presence! Healing and freedom showed up. It was through this experience together that the Beauty for Ashes ministry began to form — a ministry where women around the world could exchange the ashes of their isolation, shame, and wounds for crowns of beauty and restoration through Jesus. In community with other women, they saw women being discipled in the Word to walk daily in this new freedom and discover their true purpose.
They recognize that though our stories may not perfectly correspond with each other, there are fundamental needs at the heart of every woman . . . and some very common wounds we encounter on this journey called “life.” Women are relational to the very core. It is important to know we are not alone, we have a safe place to be vulnerable, and we are able to identify with one another as well as share the beauty, freedom, and life-giving nature of being created in the image of a loving God. They believe God’s heart is to see His people freed by the truth — truth that transcends age, history, circumstance, geography and culture.
And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. -John 8:32
Our Beauty for Ashes event this past month was a huge success. We saw women opening up, the Spirit of God moving, and hearts being transformed. We had 30 women in attendance. We came together, worshiped, shared our stories, talked about our identity in Christ, our view of God and how He views us, shame, and our worth.
During our time we broke up into small groups. I asked the ladies to write down a few things that worried them. They all made a list and then we went around and shared what we had written down. I started, which then opened up the floor for them to feel comfortable enough to share with me what they wrote. As we were going around one of the ladies broke down and started crying. She was so overwhelmed with worry and didn’t know what to do. As she shared her heart with us, I was able to speak truth and life over her and encourage her with a few scriptures.
“Cast your burdens on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.” -Psalms 55:22
“Cast your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.” -1 Peter 5:7
Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and my Burden is light. – Matthew 11:28-30
After we had all finished sharing I gave them the opportunity to give their worries to the Lord. We took the piece of paper we had written our worries down on and ripped them up. Worry was no longer going to have control over our lives. Afterwards one of the ladies shared that she really appreciated us taking the time to come and host this event. She explained how much it ministered to her and was a nice change to her daily schedule. The Lord is on the move and I am very excited to host many more of these events.
~Cae
