Elena began attending our support group two years ago. Her story was different from the other women in the group because she wasn’t married to an abuser – her parents and family were the source of all pain and suffering for her whole life.
From an early age, she was singled out as the scapegoat for most of her father’s perverse sexual abuse. Her mother verbally abused her constantly. She was told all of her life that she was ugly, fat, lazy and worthless. They never said they cared about her. They never gave her a birthday present. They criticized and condemned her everyday of her childhood and teen years.
After college, Elena moved out of state to live with her sister who was in an abusive marriage. She helped to care for her nephew while her sister went through terrible court battles for ten years. And then strangely even her sister turned on her and Elena was caught up in an assault charge against her – a false charge as her sister was the aggressor who pulled Elena’s hair out by the scalp. Though she was arrested and taken to jail, the charges were dropped a couple days later.
With no other options open to her, Elena moved back home with her abusive parents who are “pillars of their church”. It’s no wonder that Elena has struggled to accept the love of Christ when she has witnessed the most horrific hypocrisy in her home. All smiles and prayers on Sunday morning – nothing but abuse and oppression at home.
The women in the support group were very encouraging to Elena and each of them promised to pray for a way for her to escape from this terrible trapped life. Of course, God was faithful to hear and answer their earnest prayers for Elena. She was offered a full-time job with a local company where she can use her gifts of administration and attention to detail to assist customers.
Though the job was working out and she was making friends, she still had to go home to the grim house each day. She wondered if she could ever be free from the degradation and intimidation and threats…
One day she was visiting one of her few friends – a mentor to her from church, not her parents’ church. Her friend had just received an email from a home school group and there was a notice of a room for rent. The price was right so Elena called the homeowner to ask for more information about the opportunity. The real estate listing described every detail that Elena had been praying for! A spacious bedroom with a private bathroom in a quiet neighborhood with large windows overlooking a garden – there was even a friendly family pet.
Elena met with the homeowner who seemed like a very kind woman, a believer in Christ. Elena wondered to herself, “is this too good to be true?” And then the conversation turned to the question of the arrest on her background check. Elena’s heart dropped – how could God be so cruel to get her so close to the home of her prayers and then take it away because of false charges against her so long ago? With tears and just a shred of faith, she asked the homeowner to please call two women who knew her well to get a personal character recommendation for Elena.
Two days later, the homeowner made those calls, hearing from both friends that Elena is a kind and gentle person looking only for a safe place to live. Her fears were put to rest, and she offered Elena the room. They set a date for the move-in.
Thanks be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for every provision for Elena. She has escaped the strange evil clutches of her abusive parents and is now living in freedom and peace and joy. It’s a long road to healing and the recovery process is slow, but she is on her way to knowing and believing who she is in Christ – a valuable, precious daughter. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
We are so thankful that the Lord led Elena to FOCUS Ministries for support and help and encouragement and HOPE.
