Today was such a sweet day. Every May and November we have a graduation for the girls who have completed their year plus process to sobriety and becoming a new woman. Four girls graduated today; Claudia, Kimberly, Nicole, and Paola. These girls are amazing and their lives have become blossoming gardens from their huge piles of ashes.
As I did their hair and make-up, I began to wonder what new things await for them. What dreams will they now see come true because they changed their lives; going to school, having a job, being respected and one day having a healthy family. Dreams that they once never dared to dream because they didn’t even like themselves nor thought they could achieve something.
I also wondered what struggles will they encounter and how fast will those temptations come knocking, pounding, and shoving themselves in their lives. Will they withstand? If they fall, will they get back up? Will they trust God?
Although my heart was elated, it also was saddened as one of the girls was very nervous and could almost not enjoy her day. The reality of leaving this safe environment that became her home for the past year and half hit her and the weightiness of it overwhelmed her.
As I watched the girls graduate, I looked at the other 30 girls (one who has only been here for 5 days) and I was overwhelmed at how their lives are changing. They have to make the choice and unfortunately some runaway, as one did last night. But they have to do the work, they have to find the strength within themselves and hopefully they choose to do that with God. These precious 30 girls, that have won my heart, are on a path of monumental life change (emotionally, spiritually and physically) and some how I got to be a lucky one that was chosen to walk alongside of them through this confusing, frightening, exciting, painful and joyful process. How does it get better than that?
I am so tremendously proud of these girls and I can’t wait to hear their stories. I can’t wait to see how God is going to blow their socks off with all He has in stored for their new lives. Please be in prayer for these four girls as they begin the next step of their process. Pray that their families and friends will be encouragements. Pray for protection - emotionally, spiritually, mentally and physically. Pray for their lives as they walk daily in real life, outside of the protection of Renacer. Thank you for praying.
