“But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:…the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things – that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.” Titus 2:1, 3-5

Previously, I have written about the causes of addiction in women as well as the obstacles to recovery that women face. Today I would like to address how we will set the course for healing through the ministry of Barbara’s Place.

Just as Paul admonished Titus to teach the women to develop their relationship with God and to walk with God through their actions and interaction with the world, our goal at Barbara’s Place will be the same. We desire to help women to love the Lord with all their being and for that love to show forth in their interactions with the fallen world in which they live.

First, we will insure their safety physically and emotionally, by having a female-only staff and a small, safe community for them to reside. We will emphasize Christ, His redemptive work of love and His desire to have a personal relationship with them. That theme will be interwoven in all we do and teach. Our approach will be multi-dimensional, teaching and interacting with the women through individual counseling, small groups, life skills classes, work therapy and job training, as well as community involvement and connection. Based on the needs of the women, we will help them learn how to repair relationships as well as choose healthy relationships and to heal from the scars of previous abusive or unhealthy relationships. Our goal will be to help them be independent of others, but fully dependent on God.

Through teaching and hands-on learning, we will teach the women to run households, raise children and maintain job options in the community, as well as to take care of themselves emotionally and physically.

This will not be a simple or one-step task or event, it will be a part of all we do and how we structure house life. It will require time, effort and lots of love as well as involvement with volunteers and additional mentors. Time-wise, we envision each woman staying between 6-12 months to be outfitted and equipped to live successfully in the world. Graduation will be based on goals achieved and readiness, rather than just a time frame or date. Each woman will be guided through the program based on who they are, where they are going, and their readiness to get there.

We will need your help to do accomplish this task. We need mentors to personally adopt a resident to disciple and love through the program. We need volunteers to share their gifts, talents and training to teach the women new ways to communicate, embrace life, socialize and to help them fill their tool box with skills necessary to journey in this life.
We will also need your prayer support! This is a big endeavor and we will appreciate many hearts supporting us through prayer. And yes, of course, we could also use your financial support as this will increase our overall budget and, like the Colony of Mercy, we will depend on outside resources to fund the program.

I encourage you to ask God how He wants you to help and assist in healing the hearts and lives of women in bondage to addictions. Our website will give more information on how to help, or you can e-mail me at ljahns@americaskeswick.org to volunteer your assistance. I thank you for your support and prayers.

Lynne Jahns
Barbara’s Place Program Director