Featured Story
June/July 2006
Seeing
Themselves Through God's Eyes
By Stephanie Xavier as
told by Linda Bagley
“Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received
mercy, we do not lose heart, but we have renounced the
things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or
adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of
truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the
sight of God.” II Corinthians 4:1, 2
In
October 2005, Dr. Steve Bagley and I went with a small group
to the Arms of Love home in Morelia to train the staff and
the girls in life skills that would prepare the girls for a
new life. Carrying with us our skills as marriage and family
therapists, we went to teach them healthy communication,
anger management, and conflict resolution skills. With an
understanding of healthy assertiveness and how to manage
their emotions, they would have the heart and vision to
follow a new path and leave the life on the streets behind.
We also wanted to emphasize with the staff the girls’ hunger
for mentoring and discipline. Serving the girls
responsibilities and privileges in graduated portions is so
important. When they are on their own as adults, they will
know how to balance the two.
In March 2006, Dr. Steve and I returned to Morelia with Tim
and Colleen Foster, who also live in Southern California. We
were joined by Linda Buck and Pattie Reinhart who were also
visiting the Morelia home. The Filadelfia Church, where the
girls worship, asked us to return and lead an inner healing
conference, teaching the church members the lessons we had
taught the girls in the fall. The girls from the Arms of
Love home attended the church meetings as well because we
knew it would be good for them to hear the teachings, since
repetition is good for learning. We loved having the girls
nearby and were happy to see them serve refreshments
afterward.
Although we went to teach the church members, we also wanted
to spend some special time with the girls. We wanted to
raise them up and show them that in the Lord’s eyes they are
His princesses. They are daughters of the King of kings. We
made crowns and
jewel
necklaces and bracelets. We taught them how to use a sewing
machine to make tulle skirts. We decorated their shirts with
sequins. It was all to manifest God’s design for them as His
daughters.
When the new clothes were finished, the girls tried on their
princess ware for a princess party. Everyone, including the
staff, joined the activities. Each girl received a letter
from God that shared His heart with His princesses. The
girls now refer to themselves as princesses when they
correspond with us. There was such beauty in the day!
Our biggest challenge during the trip was leading the
teaching for the church members. The message for the Sunday
morning service was entitled, Led by the Spirit or Driven by
Shame. Steve and I spoke about Jesus’ dying for our shame as
well as our sin. Often, shame is passed down through the
generations because we don’t know how to be freed from
shame. I shared my story how God freed my family from this
bondage. The pastor
told
us after the service that the people are so hungry for these
teachings. It seems that teachings such as these are rare
there. We were touched by the church members’ response, but
the Lord had something more planned for us.
Toward the end of the meetings, Steve took the men to
another part of the church and the women stayed in the
sanctuary. We asked the women to make three groups: (1) if
they had experienced domestic violence, (2) if they had
experienced sexual abuse, and (3) if they had not
experienced either of the two. We had been told that about
85 percent of women in Mexico have experienced sexual abuse,
but that it would be very difficult for any woman to admit
that she had. However, there were many women who bravely
joined that group. About half of the girls from the home
were courageous enough to join that group! Then, we asked
the women create smaller groups of five or six and to tell
their stories to
each
another. We encouraged them as they opened up and shared
their hearts with one another. The women learned that there
were many who cared about them and that they were not alone.
Many had similar stories. It was a time of release. It was a
time of love. Once again, we had witnessed the Lord at work.
All in all, much good work was accomplished. The lives of
the girls at the Arms of Love home and their church
community are in our hearts. Their struggles are our
struggles. Their victories are our victories. The Lord has a
plan for them just as He has a plan for each of us. Through
His love and our discipleship, these girls will live the
lives the Lord has intended.
New
Opportunities and Choices In Morelia
By Pattie Reinhart
Being asked by the “Arms of Love” team to be a volunteer at
their home in Mexico was a great experience. I’m a gal who
has been blessed with so much and I’m always looking for
ways to give back, to seek God and His will in my life.
From the moment we drove onto the deeply rutted road, I knew
for sure my experiences could never be duplicated here at
home. When I entered the concrete “Arms of Love” home in the
barrio section of Morelia, Mexico and met the home’s
director Sue, I found a
home
filled with love from our Heavenly Father. While I was
there, I grew and become even stronger along with the girls
who chose my counsel and put into practice what they were
being taught from the team.
Each young gal had her own story to share. If only I could
have spoken her language, to fully understand firsthand the
pain and loss that each had experienced at such a delicate,
young age! By being there, I could see that “Arms of Love”
was giving these girls a choice in their lives. For the
first time, they could consider whether they wanted an
academic education, discipline, and the opportunity to be a
disciple of Christ. I learned that “Arms of Love” was giving
them an opportunity to live in a loving, structured
environment and giving them a new future worth living.
I greatly enjoyed being part of a team that taught all the
attendees at the “Inner Healing Conference” ways to better
communicate. We showed them how to share with safe people
and to allow God to be the controller and director of their
future. Sharing my testimony through an interpreter allowed
them to see how the material from the seminar was put into
practice and it also gave them the encouragement they needed
from a one-on-one counselor who believed in them.
We all learned we are as “sick as our secrets” and those
that I counseled chose to share their innermost secrets and
sorrows, the first step of moving from dysfunction to
healthy, functional lives.
I went on this mission because I wanted to see firsthand how
God cradles his precious, battered souls and makes them
whole and feel cared for. It’s amazing when you think that
“Arms of Love” is reaching out and creating homes just like
this around the world.
Receiving
God’s Blessing In Morelia
By Linda Buck
It was culture shock visiting Morelia and the Victory Center
ministry to girls, which is sponsored by Arms of Love. I was
amazed at their immense gratitude for the simple things in
life, such as a roof over their head, food in their stomach
and clothes to cover
their
bodies. I was almost ashamed about the things I grumble
about in suburbia Orange County. My heart was overwhelmed by
their kindness.
The girls in the home were teenagers. Having teenagers
myself, I know the attitudes and struggles that accompany
this age. Many of these girls lived on the street and I
could see they really struggled with things that we
Americans can only imagine. The love, guidance and structure
they receive from the staff at Arms of Love are giving them
a chance to become responsible, God-serving adults. Arms of
Love is providing a real family for those who would be
totally lost without hope of safety or salvation. The girls
were eager for our touch, our teaching and especially our
presence each day.
While I stayed at their home, I learned how to wash my
clothes by hand outside at a wash station. I saw them purify
their drinking water, mop floors, read and write in English
and Spanish. Every day they participated in physical
exercise outdoors and cleaned up after each meal without
being asked. They seemed to flourish in their
responsibilities. We had fun as they tried to understand my
attempts at Spanish. I got quite a few chuckles and blank
stares!
Before I left, they gave me handmade cards and letters
expressing their gratefulness and blessing me for the time
we spent together. I will cherish these always and hope to
return there again. I received far more than I gave to the
girls and people of Morelia.
