The Fork In The Road If you’ve been following this newsletter for a while, you might recall that we got two new residents this past November and a third resident shortly thereafter. You might also recall the article in last month’s newsletter about the importance of bringing balance back to the lives of these women who have been so deeply traumatized. May marks the sixth month since the first two of our residents joined us, a time when they will likely hit a point of decision. It takes the human brain a minimum of six months of physical safety and stability in order to begin processing the deep trauma experienced. A resident can either begin to grapple with the very hard work of recovery, or she can decide that she’s not ready for this hard work and turn aside, leaving the safety–and challenge–of the ranch behind. We ask that you join us in praying God’s protection over these women, and that they will choose to stay the course and engage in the hard work ahead of them. I have seen God do amazing things for past residents who have chosen to stay. For example, “Sarah,” a previous resident, had been through 16 short-term programs prior to coming to BHR, had a long rap sheet, was generally angry and had no support network. She has graduated from the ranch and now lives in a little house, has a full-time job, has a support network of friends, has grown closer than ever with the Lord and has been able to lay down the shame she had been carrying for years. In next month’s issue, I’ll go into a bit of detail on what their work looks like and how we structure it, all within a biblical framework. Stay tuned! |
