A couple of days before training camp ended my leaders came to me saying that they have prayed & asked God who would fit this particular role while on the race and they felt that God was calling my name to it. They asked me to be the Beauty for Ashes Coordinator for my squad and of course I said YES. So what is Beauty for Ashes??
Well let me begin. . .
In 2004, God spoke to Seth Barnes, founder of Adventures in Missions, about the women of Swaziland being the hope for their nation. In a culture where there is so much brokenness (a large population of orphans and widows), and many people hiding behind taboo 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 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 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.
We 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.” We 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
Beauty for Ashes invites women into true freedom using the power of story to facilitate inner-healing in women’s lives. It’s a simple process tailored easily for days events or for deeper engagement through week-long retreats. They hold retreats all over the world and have seen the lives of countless women changed.
Beauty for Ashes ministry offers a safe environment for women to exchange the ashes of isolation, shame, and wounds for crowns of beauty and restoration through the healing power of Jesus Christ.
After the initial retreats are completed, we connect the local participants to local female leaders. We spend time empowering local leaders to continue discipling their communities of women in the practical application of living out the freedom of God’s truth and purpose in their lives.
What will I be doing?
- Find women ministry opportunities in the countries we are in
- Host Beauty for Ashes retreats
- Work with ministries and follow up
- Creating videos & sharing testimonies
- Monthly reports
I’m beyond grateful for this opportunity, this will be another area that I’ll be stepping out of my comfort zone but in order for me to grow I need to be challenged and step out. It just blows my mind what God does when you have a YES in your spirit.
I look forward to sharing what God does through all the women we encounter on this 11 month journey.
Follow Beauty for Ashes on Instagram & also check out this short video below created by Founder of Adventures in Missions’ Seth Barnes.
If you feel in your heart that you would like to be a part of this and make a difference in the lives of so many. If you would like to donate towards this mission so I can still go on the World Race, I would be forever grateful. My next deadline is coming up on the 20th July and in order for me to be able to still go I need $5,000 NZD.
You can either click the donate button at the top of my page (note: this will be in US dollars) or an easier way for Kiwis is to transfer it to my New Zealand account and I can transfer it across.
Account info below:
N S DEAN
03-1549-0611399-000
Thank you to the beautiful people who have prayed for me & donated, I honestly can’t thank you enough.
Lots of love you way,
Niki
