“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12
None of us can escape the effects of spiritual warfare. We are all vulnerable, and the world fractures us in many ways throughout our lives. Consequently, we are unable to avoid traumas, some of which leave long lasting scars.
Particularly when they come during childhood, traumas can have profoundly detrimental effects. Even careful parents cannot keep children completely out of harm’s way. Kids will be traumatized one way or another, and many people spend much of their adult lives trying to overcome the effects of early traumas. Trying to overcome the effects of the early traumas is usually not recognized as such, because it takes the form of struggling through life, reading the latest self-improvement books, and feeling stuck with an annoying bad habit. These are attempts to change the trauma effects without looking at the trauma that produced the effects.
About a third of us have been traumatized as children in the form of physical or sexual abuse, many more suffer from the absences of good things that are necessary for emotional maturation, and help is not usually available. School failure, depression, anxiety, poor self-esteem, chronic physical illness, violent behavior, and disturbing sexual urges are some of the common after-effects of childhood traumas. When they go untreated, the children carry these effects along with them into adulthood. Woundedness, dividedness, isolation, and oppression are the result of leaving the trauma wounds unidentified and unhealed.
They really need for the people who love them to encourage them to find out where their pain is coming from, and to accompany them on their path to recovery. Without the help of a caring community around them, their woundedness, dividedness, isolation, and oppression will prevent them from getting to wholeness. The Life Model: Living From the Heart Jesus Gave You, page 21-22, Dr. James G. Friesen.
We at Beauty From Ashes™ are committed to providing the necessary survivor centered services for victims of commercialized sexual exploitation and sex trafficking.
In the aftermath of a trafficking experience, the physical and psychological control tactics used by traffickers, combined with the physical and sexual abuses perpetrated leave both deep emotional scars and physical damage. Hands That Heal: page XV, Beth & Cindy Lopez Hudlin.
Although their wounds seem daunting, our holistic, community-based approach gives them the best opportunity to heal as they embark on their path to recovery. Working with licensed Christian therapists and through community partnerships, we have been able to embrace the wounded and offer them the multi-faceted care they deserve.
Below is a quote from a resident, a former victim of domestic minor sex trafficking, currently living in our first FREEdom™ Home:
"While living in the FREEdom™ safehome, I am challenged by the commitment needed to pursue wholeness. I am encouraged by the fact that it’s not me healing alone, and it is God's power and presence in my life that is nurturing and healing me. The most impacting part of living in the FREEdom™ home has been the emphasis placed on an intimate relationship with Daddy God, healing and the importance of a healthy, safe and loving community. I’m learning what it means to live a life of abundance and joy here at the FREEdom™ home; I have celebrated my birthday for the first time, experienced Christmas in a healthy family setting, and even watched a football game while eating chocolate chip cookies. I am beginning to understand that through Christ's forgiveness and acceptance, I am clean. Seeing more brothers and sisters in Christ come alongside me is proving to me how much God wants me to heal."
Facing the new year in the middle of a national financial crisis, we need your help like never before. Will you please prayerfully consider coming along side us to help these precious women heal and experience healthy firsts? Your love gift will give a young woman hope that God truly desires wholeness out of her brokenness. It will help us to continue reaching, rescuing, restoring and advocating for them.
All donations are tax deductible. Write check to Beauty From Ashes and mail to 5100 S. Cleveland Avenue, Suite 318-148, Fort Myers, FL 33907 or give securely online HERE
For a minimum gift of $35 ($5 shipping), we'll send you our 10 song private label, Beauty From Ashes™ Child of God CD.
Thank you for partnering with us in supporting their path to recovery. Together we are better and are making a difference.
Out of the Shadows Human Trafficking Conference, Julie Shematz will be speaking on behalf of victims, January 20, 25 & 27th at Florida Gulf Coast University. Beauty From Ashes will also be exhibiting hand made jewelry, bags, artwork & items made by over-comers.
Strip Club Outreach, January 28th, Fort Myers Beach, FL
Stiletto Project Art Show, Julie Shematz showing & art auction of paintings by over-comers, February 6th, Gallery AK1511, Venice, CA. Proceeds go to Treasures & Beauty From Ashes. To view Julie's entry, CLICK HERE
Life's Healing Choices Bible Study & Meal, Mondays Ongoing, 5:30 - 8pm, Fort Myers, FL
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: Contact Us
PRAYER REQUESTS: Contact Us
SCHEDULE A BEAUTY FROM ASHES' SPEAKER/EVENT: Contact Us
In His love & passion to see victims become over-comers,
Steve, Julie & the FREEdom™ Team
