Roses, Armies & Ashes

The Spirit of the Lord God is on me because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of our God’s vengeance; to comfort all who mourn, to provide for those who mourn in Zion; to give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, festive oil instead of mourning and splendid clothes instead of despair. And they will be called righteous trees, planted by the Lord to glorify him.  Isaiah 61:1-3

Beauty for Ashes is our chance to carry out ministry specified for women while we are on the field. Thankfully my team has been blessed with two outstanding women who have been trained for putting on Beauty for Ashes (BFA) events. It was not until we were about three weeks in did I learn how rare it is that BFA events get past the preparation stage; much less carried out six times in one squad within the first country.

As we arrived at training and debrief on February 20^th, I was able to catch up with those I had not seen since launch. Aaron (Team M.O.M.) filled me in on all the incredible things that God did during his time in San Pedro, Guatemala. Aaron also shared with me their teams’ experience with Beauty for Ashes and how God laid it on their hearts to introduce it into their ministry. He told me that someone spoke over their team and told them they are the beachhead of our squad. A beachhead is a temporary defending position created when a military unit lands on a beach of their enemy, from which the attack can be launched when they open. This was not the first time our squad has been related to an army; it is a reoccurring theme over us. The Lord led Lindsey to put together three BFA events with her team! This was just the beginning and as a squad, we followed through to continue the battle over women’s ministry in Guatemala.

Each Beauty for Ashes event is taught and looks different. Our events were led by Elizabeth and Rachel, which they did a wonderful job leading and putting together two occasions. Elizabeth and Rachel had a great amount of discernment over what should be discussed with the women. After long discussions, Rachel and Elizabeth landed on teaching with a focus on identity and forgiveness. We did a dollar bill skit teaching on how our worth is in Christ alone (Matthew 10:31), a bag skit representing the road to forgiveness, several stories from the Bible, and other fun activities. Overall, our experience with presenting Beauty for Ashes was remarkable. Check out my pictures below from our events and read more about Beauty for Ashes here.

Preparing the tables and getting everything ready to make the women feel special.

Our theme was Valentine’s Day based and I had the opportunity to write truths on the cards. This card says “A Daughter of God” and on the backs, we wrote verses for encouragement.

These are the ladies we ministered to throughout our time in Mixco and got to love on a little extra during this event.

Icebreakers!! The questions that were asked to each individual depended on the type of skittle they picked out; it was such a fun and sweet activity to create connectivity. 

We read and spoke verses over the women, taught on the woman at the well, and gave them time to connect with the Lord. 

 One of my favorite activities was when we had the woman draw a moment when they felt close to God, how stinkin’ cool!

 For your tender mercies mean more to me than life itself. How I love and praise you, God! Daily I will worship you passionately and with all my heart. My arms will wave to you like banners of praise. Psalm 63:3-4

Please join me in prayer over the women of Guatemala. Pray that the women continue to seek the face and heart of God, which they will be shown His unconditional love. Allow the words that were spoken over the women during each event spread like wildfires. Pray that they are reminded daily of their worth in Christ alone. Gloria a Dios! 

with all my love,

PJ