This past weekend, my team and team Redeemed (Nashiely, Talia, Niki, Hannah, Shela) worked together to partner with the local international church to host a women’s retreat event, Beauty for Ashes! Beauty for Ashes is a ministry through Adventures in Missions with a vision to restore women in their identity in Christ. My teammates have spoken of how powerfully God was moving in the hearts of our new friends in the women’s portion of the event. They worked to facilitate an open space of safety for women to vulnerably share their testimonies and how God is meeting them, incorporate artwork as a tool for women to creatively express their stories when words may fall short, worshiped with live music, and enjoyed food and fellowship.
While my sisters were facilitating activities with these ladies, I had the privilege of organizing and leading the children’s portion of the program. Oh my goodness, we had SO MUCH FUN!
WE…
– Played team building bean bag toss (which quickly disintegrated into everyone gang up on Miss Joelle and throw bean bags at her)
– Sang songs during worship time with instruments and marching- Contemporary Christian Worship, and the classics, you know- Jesus Loves Me, Father Abraham [full dance included], This Little Light of Mine, Deep and Wide, and about 10 others!)
– Drew our View of God- What does God look like? What is your relationship with Him? Share with the class!
– Made Play Doh creations- Who doesn’t love Play Doh??
– Took a necessary movement break!-Get the wiggles out on the playground
– Ate a yummy lunch- Yesss cooking team!! Jamaican chicken, veggie chili and rice!!!
– Created Crowns of Beauty- Lesson take away- Jesus replaces our ashes with a beautiful crown!
– Snacked- POPCORN on POPCORN on POPCORN
Being with these sweet kiddos lit me up and energized me! I got to see the most tender sibling relationships (these big sisters are crushing it in the nurturing game, good job to their Mama’s!), pray over some children of Muslim faith background, and watch how Holy Spirit took over when all of my efforts fell short, because did I mention that only one child spoke a pinch of English on the first day?!
This weekend was a unique opportunity to bless this community by encouraging the missionary women who live here, and even unexpectedly ministering to some locals! What a fun ministry opportunity.
Would you please pray with me for these lovely women and their children? Pray that Jesus captures the hearts of these little ones, and that they know the faithful God who adorns their heads with a crown of beauty.
