Grab a blank piece of paper, something to draw with, and find a comfortable place to sit.
You ready? Good.
Now, ask God to show you how you view him. Wait. Listen. Do you see? After you draw how you view God, share your drawing with someone.
Okay. You’re doing good! Now let’s get another piece of paper. This time I want you to ask God to reveal to you a moment when you experienced pain. You know a time when you felt worthless, not important, that no one cared, or maybe violated. Draw what God is showing you. Again, share your drawing with someone.
One month ago I shared with you about one aspect of my work here with Adventures in Missions. October 7-9th about 60 World Race women came to our first ever Beauty for Ashes retreat before they began their week long Training Camp.
The mission of Beauty for Ashes is to let women know how deeply loved they are by the Father and empower them to step into the unique roles God has for them in the world. The B4A Retreat has been facilitated all over the world and gathers women to tell their stories (primarily through drawing).
I hope the prompts given at the start of this blog gives you a glimmer of how those three days were spent. As you can imagine these courageous and bold women went to deep places, quickly. It was beautiful to witness firsthand the healing, restoration, and hope they received. But, enough from me. Here’s some of their comments from participants captured through a survey I created.
“I am no longer at myself as this sad, sinful being. I know who I am as a woman from God. I know I am forgiven, worthy, and loved.”
“Before coming to Adventures [in Missions] I saw myself as broken and weak with little faith to be who God has called me to be. This week I found my place in ministry and I finally see myself as a child of God.”
“For the first time I was given Biblical truths to combat the negative self-image I live with.”
“I am realizing that everyone goes through a lot of different things in life that shape who they are. We all have hurt, we all have insecurities, and we all have a need for God. I now see people through a different light. I see their heart, their stories and what they have to offer instead of judgement on anything about them. I try to let go of the preconceived notions that I would normally form.”
I wish I could share with you all of their responses and the breadth of impact the space created at this retreat had on these women, and ultimately those they will come in contact with on their World Race and beyond.
The beautiful women of the first ever Beauty for Ashes Pre-Training Camp Retreat!
During the retreat I was a busy lady serving as the Assistant Retreat Director. I led a group of volunteers, facilitated one of the small group activities, and even shared my own story of how God redeemed how I understand my own worth. It was pretty awesome!
I want to thank you again for your prayers, financial support, and words of encouragement during this season. I am so grateful and honored to use my gifts to encourage and empower women through this new and very exciting work!
Pray for Us! Upcoming Retreat
Please join us in prayer as we prepare to facilitate a modified version of this retreat for middle school and high school girls November 21-23rd. During this retreat I’ll get to lead a small group of girls through the weekend! Here’s how you can pray:
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Pray that the girls’ hearts are prepared to go deep
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Pray that the facilitators get divine insight and wisdom and gentleness to speak into the girls’ lives
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Pray that God will be given space to show up in life-changing ways as he did for the World Racers
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Pray for me as I’m intimidated by age groups younger than college students…teenagers..ahhh:)
I am still in need of funds to meet my current deadline for the Adventures Fellowship Program. My final deadline is January 1st. If I am not able to raise these funds I will not be able to continue to the amazing work I’m doing at Adventures in Missions.
If you are able to support me financially, click “SUPPORT ME” on the left to make a tax-deductible donation. Or, cut out the small online processing fee by mailing a check to:
Sha’terika Perkins
1750 Norton Dr.
Apt F3
Gainesville, GA 30501
Checks should be made out to “Adventures in Missions”
***Put “PERKINSSHATERIKA” in the memo line of the check!!!!!***
Thank you!
