FOCUS Ministries was blessed to spend an evening on August 28, 2026 with a vibrant community of approximately 75 men, women, and children who came together in fellowship, encouragement, and love. The atmosphere was filled with connection, compassion, and a genuine desire to serve one another.

During the evening, Evelyn Colon, Victim Advocate with FOCUS Ministries, shared a brief personal testimony and introduced the ministry’s work with women and families experiencing domestic violence. She spoke about the hope, encouragement, education, support, and practical resources FOCUS Ministries provides to those navigating the difficult journey of abuse, separation, and rebuilding their lives. Our heart is to remind survivors that they are not alone—and that there is hope beyond their circumstances.

We also extend a heartfelt thank‑you to Javier Gonzalez for the way he faithfully loves and serves his community. Through the church’s open food bank each Friday night, individuals and families are welcomed, supported, and cared for in meaningful, practical ways. It is a beautiful expression of Christ’s love lived out.

Javier shared these words that capture the heart behind the invitation:

“I asked FOCUS Ministries to come and share their resources because we love the people and want to supply them with every resource available to help them on their journey to full restoration as our Lord Jesus Christ would have it.”

There was something profoundly moving about witnessing people come together sharing what they have, caring for one another, and making sure no one is forgotten. It felt like the Book of Acts unfolding before our eyes.

Acts describes a community of believers who shared, gave, supported, and ensured needs were met. What we witnessed at THE WORD OF GOD Church reflected that same spirit of generosity, compassion, fellowship, and service.

This is what happens when faith becomes action. This is what happens when a church opens its doors—not only to worship, but to serve. And this is what happens when people choose to love their community well.

FOCUS Ministries is deeply grateful for the opportunity to partner with churches and leaders who understand that hope is not merely spoken—it is demonstrated.

We are thankful for THE WORD OF GOD Church, for Javier Gonzalez, and for everyone who helped make this evening such a meaningful and memorable experience.

JAVIER GONZALEZ
Thank you for your interest in learning more about our church and food pantry ministry. I’d like to share a brief look at our history, our mission, and the vision that guides us.

Our church has been part of Melrose Park, IL for about 45 years. It began when our founding pastor, originally from Cuba and working as a dentist in Lombard, felt called by God to start a church. My family arrived a few years later, around 1986, and I grew up in this congregation until my early teens. After many years away and living a destructive lifestyle, the Lord rescued me in 2005. I surrendered my life to Christ and returned to the church that had shaped my childhood.

None of us imagined we would one day operate a food pantry of this size. The ministry began during the COVID‑19 shutdown, when we started handing out simple paper bags with soup and cookies. God grew that small beginning into a large outreach—at one point distributing hundreds of boxes of food weekly and renting a 26‑foot truck for nearly two years. We later began receiving donations from Sam’s Club, Costco, and Amazon Fresh, allowing our volunteers to sort and prepare food by hand for the families we serve.

Evangelism has always been central to this work. In the early days, I preached from the back of the truck to those waiting in line. Today, families come inside the church, where they hear the gospel before receiving their groceries. Our commitment remains the same: to faithfully preach the unaltered Word of God, trusting its power to transform lives.

This ministry has breathed new life into our church. Our members have embraced it wholeheartedly, and many who first came for food are now part of our church family—serving as ushers, volunteers, and ministry leaders. Our pantry’s name, Despensa El Verbo de Dios (“The Word of God Food Pantry”), reflects our mission to feed both body and soul.

Thank you again for your interest in our ministry and the families we are blessed to serve.

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“Ma’am, could you please speak up?” asked the judge.  

Little Wife looked behind her to the court advocate who had helped prepare her statement and other court documents. The court advocate nodded to Little Wife to continue.

“Your Honor, yes, I am afraid of my husband.  I’m sorry.  I’ll try to speak up.  I am here in your court today to request an Emergency Order of Protection against him because I am afraid that he is trying to hurt me ever since I escaped from him with my children last week. We don’t have a home yet, just living in our car.  He has been following me, watching me, calling me non-stop and texting me and the children.  I am trying to be very brave, but as you can see, I’m very small and vulnerable.  He is very big and loud.”

The judge nodded.  “Do you have evidence of him threatening you and following you?”

“Yes, your Honor, here is my documentation for the ways that he has been harassing me and threatening me.  He has called my phone seventy-two times in the past week.  But I didn’t answer his calls.  He stalked me even on the day that I had a car accident.  He followed me to my office and even came into my office looking for me, but my co-worker covered for me.  Here are the text messages.  I printed them out with the help of the court advocate.”  Little Wife handed over the papers.

The judge took her time reading through the print outs.  “He says over and over in these text messages that he loves you so much.  Do you believe that is true, ma’am?”

“Oh no, he doesn’t love me at all.  He’s just trying to control me and be all charming and try to get me to come back home again.  But I just can’t go back to him, your Honor.  I am so afraid of what he will do next.  He might have bought a gun.  He has a plan to hurt me.  Maybe he will push me down the stairs.  Maybe he will smother me with a pillow.  I don’t know.  Maybe there will be some terrible accident, but he definitely wants me to know he’s watching and waiting for me.  He said he’s not done with me yet.  Please, your Honor, please help me.”  A small tear rolled down Little Wife’s cheek as she remembered the terrible sound of his voice.

“Your request for an Emergency Order of Protection is granted.  The sheriff’s department will serve your husband with an Emergency Order of Protection within 24 hours which will stand for two weeks.  During that time, your husband may not contact you by phone or in person.  He may not come within 500 yards of you whether you are at work, at your place of residence or in your car.  If he breaks this order of protection, please contact your local police department.  After two weeks, if you wish to extend the Order of Protection, you may come back to court with additional documentation.  Your husband will also be ordered to appear in court and to offer a defense.  Do you have any questions, Miss Little Wife?”

“What if he is outside the court building right now?”

“We will have a deputy walk with you to your car today.  Please be safe and I hope you are able to find a safe place to live soon.  It’s not good for you and your daughter to be living in your car.”

“Yes.  Thank you, your Honor, we are trying to find a place to live.  Thank you, your Honor.”  As Little Wife gathered her thoughts and her belongings, she remembered to say a little prayer of thanksgiving.  She looked up at the ceiling of the courtroom and believed with all of her heart that God was with her, helping her, watching over her and making a way where there seemed to be no way.

*******

Chaplain’s Note:  If you are a victim of domestic abuse, please consider taking legal action to protect yourself from hurt, harm and danger.  Courts will approve emergency orders of protection if you can prove either physical or emotional abuse.  Keep records of the abuse episodes, including dates and times and as much detail as possible.  Record threatening conversations and take pictures of injuries if possible.  Bring police reports and even documentation of times when you called the police but they didn’t file reports.  Having a detailed paper trail is valuable.  Contact your local domestic abuse social service agency to connect to court advocates who can help you prepare a personal statement and complete the legal forms for obtaining an order.  You are not alone in this.

“For the Lord loves justice; He will not forsake His saints.”  Psalm 37:28

“When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.”  Proverbs 21:15

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved – and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”  Ephesians 2:4-7

God has a better plan for you.  It is never God’s will for a woman to be abused by her husband, boyfriend or intimate partner.  He is a God of justice and mercy.

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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.

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“That was him, I know it was him,” Little Wife whispered to herself.  She peeked into the rear view mirror of the rental car to catch another look at the car that had just passed her by.  Big Man had mysteriously appeared at the scene of the car crash two days before.  Her phone showed multiple calls from his number and also a number she and her phone didn’t recognize.

She drove very carefully to her volunteer worksite.  She was still very shook up about the accident.  How did she not see the Ford Escape SUV she had rammed into?  How did Big Man suddenly show up at the scene of the accident?  It had been over a week since her own escape from the grip of Big Man. She had told nobody where she was staying (because she never really knew for sure).  And yet, there he was, growling and threatening her in the presence of the town police.

Little Wife was thankful for friends who helped her after the accident.  The police report, the notification to the insurance company, the follow-up to the car rental agency – it all went like clockwork, everything fell into place in perfect timing and she knew that the Lord was with her, watching over her, protecting her and providing all that she needed in these stressful days after the escape from Big Man.

And yet, hearing his voice and seeing his angry face was so very disturbing to Little Wife.  He was still able to intimidate her and scare her, and he knew it.  She could still hear his taunt at the accident scene, “I’m not done with you, Little Wife.”  What did that even mean?

She parked near her volunteer worksite where she was able to use the computers and copiers, so important in her job search.  She opened the car door slowly glancing up and down the street, hoping that she could walk to the office without any trouble.  She was still quite a small Little Wife and worried about things.

She carefully crossed the street, and then she saw Big Man’s stone cold face in the speeding silver car.  She tripped, stumbled and then jumped up on the curb, just as he sped by, driving so fast that the air whistled.  Little Wife gave a little scream of panic and ran into the office where she hoped she would be safe.  Office workers glanced up at her as she dashed to the back of the office with no hello’s or how are you’s.  When she could catch her breath, she called out to her fellow-volunteer friends, “Don’t tell him I’m here.  Please don’t tell him anything.”

As Little Wife stood in a corner in the back of the office, shaking and crying, the front door of the office opened and she heard the voice of Big Man say, “Where is my Little Wife?  I know she’s here.”

“Oh no, Mr. Big Man, we have not seen her yet this morning.  We are very busy today, but she has not come into the office yet today.”  Even though Little Wife could not see the receptionist, she knew she would be wearing her “all business” face. “Goodbye, sir.  Have a nice day.”  Little Wife heard the front door open, close and then silence.

She ran out to the receptionist, tears running down her cheeks.  “Thank you, Millie, thank you.  You are so brave.  I am so scared.  He is following me wherever I go.  He won’t leave me alone.”  Little Wife crumpled into a chair sobbing.  “What will I do?  Where will I go? He knows where I am all the time.”

Millie put her arm around Little Wife and walked with her to the coffee room.  “I will help you get an order of protection against this Big Man.  There’s a special order against stalking in our town.  He won’t get away with this.”

Little Wife sat down with Millie for about an hour, trying to remember every time in the past few days when she had spotted Big Man following her or sneaking up behind her or calling or texting her.  They wrote it all down with lots of details.  “Do you have video evidence of this man stalking you?” asked Millie firmly.

“No, Millie,” answered Little Wife quietly.  “The camera on my phone doesn’t work.”

“That’s okay, we have quite a bit of documentation here.  Let’s go to the courthouse in my car. We will speak with the court advocates about helping us with a petition.  They will go with us into the courtroom to see the judge. I know you are scared, my friend, but I’ll be with you.  It will be okay.”

*****

Chaplain’s Note:  Stalking is extremely fearful and a common form of intimidation after a woman has left her abusive husband.  Stalking is abuse. Stalking is against the law. When the judge grants a stalking order and it is served to the stalker, he must abide by the details.  If he breaks the order and stalks the woman anyway, he will be charged with a misdemeanor.  If the abuser breaks the stalking order of protection a second time, he will be charged with a felony offense and will immediately serve time in jail.

What a comfort to know that our Lord watches over us even after we have left the abuser!  God sees our plight and He is moving to protect us.  He will use friends, co-workers, the police and the judicial system to keep us safe.  He is our refuge and strength, a strong tower where we can run in and be safe. Jesus loves you and has a much better plan for your life.

“For He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.  He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and buckler.  You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.”  Psalm 91:3-6

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After her escape from Big Man, Little Wife filled her days with job hunting, apartment searching and driving her children to school and their activities, trying to keep life for the children as normal as possible, all things considered.  There was so much to consider and many life details to be worked out.

They stayed for a few days with Little Wife’s oldest daughter until the roommate returned.  After that her sons went to stay with their friends.  She and her youngest daughter, Belle, stayed with friends mostly, couch-surfing.  Sometimes they slept in the car.  Sometimes Little Wife couldn’t find any other solution.  Though it was a very difficult time, God always kept them safe.  It seemed that they had truly escaped from Big Man.

Finally the school year came to a close.  Little Wife wanted to treat young Belle to her favorite after school snack to celebrate the last day of school.  “How about chicken nuggets and fries?” and Little Wife smiled when Belle’s eyes lit up.  “Okay here we go!” 

She drove and talked happily and sang along with the car radio.  The sun had suddenly gone behind a cloud, but their moods were wonderfully cheerful and carefree.  For a little while they forgot that they were homeless.  For a little while they were just a mother and a daughter going to McDonald’s.  

When they were just a block away from their destination, the clouds opened up and the rain poured down.  Little Wife signaled for a left turn and didn’t see the oncoming car.  And it was too late.

CRASH!!!

Little Wife couldn’t believe her eyes.  Deeply in shock and stunned by the suddenness of the crash, she quickly asked little Belle, “Are you alright, honey?  Omigosh, I’m so sorry, are you alright?”

Steam was coming out of the front end of Little Wife’s car.  She quickly got out and pulled Belle with her.  The other car was stuck to her car, bumper to bumper, fender to fender, locked up tight in the middle of the intersection.

“Oh no, oh no, what have I done?  What will happen to us now?”  Little Wife cried loudly as they stood in the rain.  “Are you okay, honey?  Are you sure?”  Then Little Wife went to check on the driver of the other car, noting that her SUV was a Ford Escape and its airbag had deployed.  The driver was standing on the front seat with her whole body stretching out the top of the sunroof.

“What’s wrong with you?  You crashed into my brand new Escape!  We just bought it yesterday!  You crashed into us.  What’s wrong with you?”  The woman was angry and shouting at the top of her lungs.

“I’m so sorry.  I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry.”  Little Wife looked up into the stormy sky and the rain fell down on her.  She whispered, “Jesus, help me.”

The police came, the firetrucks came, the paramedics came.  Little Wife just stood on the sidewalk watching it all happen in front of her, like an innocent bystander, but she knew she was not an innocent bystander.  She knew she was the cause of all the trouble, all the backed up traffic, all the shouting. It was all her fault.  She could hear the voice of Big Man in her head saying, “It’s all your fault, Little Wife.  This is all your fault.  It’s always your fault.”  She looked down at the puddles on the ground and closed her eyes in shame.

And then she heard the REAL voice of Big Man!  

“Little Wife!  What did you do?  You crashed the car and it’s all your fault!  Now what are you going to do?  Good thing I got here just in time to help you and give you a ride back home. Come on, let’s just get in the car and figure this out together.  I’ll talk to the police and call a tow truck.”

“NOOOOOOOO,” Little Wife was almost screaming. Her eyes opened wide in fear.  She spun around to see Big Man standing just six feet away from her.  “Noooo, go away.  I don’t need you.  Go away and leave me alone!  Get away from me, Big Man!”

Little Wife ran towards the police car, as fast as she could with her hand holding tightly to Belle.  “Please, please help me!” she cried.  “He’s trying to hurt me!  Please let me stand here by you til he leaves. I’m so afraid.”

As Little Wife stood in the flooded street next to the squad car and watched from the safety of the nearby police officers, Big Man shook his head.  He shot her a furious glance and then walked to his car.  He turned around and shouted, “I’m not done with you yet, Little Wife!”

But Little Wife knew in her heart that she was finally done with him.

“Thank you Jesus,” she prayed.  “Thank you for keeping us safe from every hurt, harm and danger.  You are good.  Your Word is good.  Your Word is true.  You will help us today. And tomorrow.  And everyday.”

*****

Chaplain’s Note:  Jesus will never leave you.  He will never forsake you.  He loves you.  If you’ve trusted Jesus to forgive your sins, you are His precious child.  He will never walk away from you, leaving you to your own devices and fears.  He speaks, “Peace, be still” to the wind and waves in our days.  Whether we are on the run from a big man, sleeping in our car, crashing our car or some other terrible disaster, God is with us.  Turn to Him today with your troubles and find relief.  Turn to Him for comfort in the storm.  Turn to Him and believe in His amazing grace.  Turn to Him and find hope.  Turn to Him and see that He is able to save to the uttermost those who put their faith in Jesus Christ, Savior and Lord.

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”  Isaiah 43:2

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The very next day Little Wife called the local police station.

“Hello, is this the police?  Yes, my name is Little Wife and I left my abusive husband yesterday.  Yes, his name is Big Man.  Yes, my children and I left him yesterday with nothing but the clothes on our backs…and a little bit of laundry detergent,” she smiled as she said that.  “We would like to go back to the house and get some of our clothes, but we are afraid to go back there.  He is very angry and very dangerous.  We are afraid he might hurt us again.”

“Little Wife, thank you for calling.  We would be glad to send a squad and two officers over to the house.  What is the address and what time will you be there?”

Little Wife got off the phone and cried tears of relief for the provision of safety.  She drove back to Big Man’s grim house later that day and saw that the police were there already, waiting for her.

“Hello, officer, yes I am Little Wife, as you can see,” she spoke quietly, looking down at her feet.  She could feel her voice shaking almost as bad as her hands and her knees.  “Thank you for meeting us here to get our clothes.  I am so afraid.”

The officer was very kind and spoke gently, “We’re glad to help, ma’am.  We will go inside with you and stay with your husband in the front room while you and your children get the things you need.  We will distract him and you’ll be safe with us in the house.”

Little Wife walked carefully up the front steps and opened the heavy door, with the children and the police officers right behind her.  She heard Big Man talking very loudly on his phone, “There’s something going on over here.  I can’t talk right now.  Yes, I’ll call you back.  I have to see what’s going on here, something’s not right.  Okay, good bye.”

She froze when she saw him walking down the hallway toward her.

“Little Wife, what is going on?  I was so worried about you, are you alright?  Where have you been?  Where did you go?  Officer, thanks for bringing her back to me, I was very worried.  I love her so much.”

“Mr. Big Man, will you please sit down here in the living room?  We would like to visit with you a bit while your wife and her children gather up some of their belongings.  Yes, everything is alright.  Please sit down and let’s talk for a little while.”  The officer was friendly but firm.  Big Man sat down with a very confused look on his face.

“Okay, ma’am, go ahead, everything is alright.  We will sit here with Mr. Big Man until you’re ready to go.”

Little Wife’s children walked quickly and seriously past Big Man to their bedrooms, each with a garbage bag to stuff some clothes in.  Little Wife paused for just a moment and looked him straight in the eye, then walked upstairs to gather her most important items and clothes.  

She could hear him downstairs talking to the police officers.  “Oh I do love my Little Wife.  We had a little disagreement yesterday after my golf outing, but we are really so much in love.  I would do anything for her.  She’s very sensitive and gets confused so easily.  If I could just go upstairs and talk with her for a few minutes, I’m sure we could get this all settled.  I’ll just be right back…”

Little Wife heard one of the officers say, “No, Mr. Big Man, please sit down again and tell us about your golf game.  We will be leaving pretty soon, but we really want to hear about your round.  What’d you shoot yesterday?”

She had been holding her breath, but now Little Wife exhaled and started breathing again.  She finished her tasks quickly and went to help her children.  It didn’t take very long and they were ready to go again. 

“Thank you, Officers, yes we are done here.  Really done.”  Little Wife and her children walked past Big Man again.  She noticed he was turning a deep shade of red, always the first sign that he was very very angry.  

“Mr. Big Man, could you please have a seat here for just a few more minutes?  Thank you, sir.”

“But what’s going on,” he asked very loudly.  “Why is she leaving with her clothes?  I don’t know why she is acting like this.  Usually she is so loving and sweet, so kind and caring.  Why, my Little Wife would never hurt a fly.  Are you okay, darlin’?  You know how much I love you.  I know you’ll be back soon, right?”

Little Wife and her children walked out to the car with their bulky plastic bags and arms full of important books and papers.  “Is everyone okay?” she asked as they pulled away from the curb.

“Yes, Mom, we’re fine.  Let’s get out of here.”

“Sounds great to me.  Thank you, Jesus.”  

*****

Chaplain’s Note:  Escaping from our abusers can be a very frightening experience.  We know they will be angry with us.  We know they might try to manipulate us to return.  Of course, they will make promises to never hurt us again if only we will only come back to them.  Gentle reader, be strong in the Lord and the power of His love.  He will care for you in the most amazing ways when you trust in Him.  Don’t be afraid to trust His heart, even when you can’t see His hand.  He has given you a sound mind and will give you all the wisdom you need to make healthy choices, a brand new start in life.  Sometimes we just have to take a leap of faith believing that our Father’s love is greater than anything else we know.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind.”    2nd Timothy 1:7

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Kiara first contacted FOCUS Ministries last fall when she and her five-year old daughter, Ellie,  were living in their car because they had recently escaped from the abuse of Ellie’s father.  She and her daughter came to our office to talk about how life was very very difficult for them.  Her daughter was very sweet and quietly colored a picture while Kiara told her story.  We were blessed to be able to give her gift cards to help with food and gas in her car.

Besides the physical and emotional abuse, the abuser had used the court system against Kiara.  She had endured many hearings in a nearby county, trying to obtain an order of protection against this dangerous man.  Finally she received the order of protection, after much perseverance and the Lord’s intercession for her.

This young woman of faith has seen the hand of God all over her circumstances these past six months and her faith has grown tremendously because of His goodness and provision.  She attended our support group and found the other women in the circle were very understanding and prayed for her.  She told us stories of childhood abuse from members of her family who were involved in witchcraft and the cult of freemasonry.

She connected with a shelter program for victims of domestic violence and was placed in a rental property with friends donating furniture and beds and food and necessities of life with a five-year old.  She enrolled Ellie in school and found employment at the day care department of the school so she could be close to her daughter.

Then Kiara got very sick.  

She couldn’t come to our support group and could barely talk on the phone.  She stopped attending the local food co-op.  We learned that Kiara was suffering from the effects of a broken furnace which was leaking carbon monoxide into the air of the home as well as gas leaks from the hot water heater.  The landlord was unresponsive to her requests for maintenance.  The domestic shelter program was also unresponsive.

One day, she could only lie on the floor of the townhouse and cry.  Her daughter was also crying.  With strength that could only come from the Lord she raised herself up off the floor and got Ellie and herself outside into the fresh air where she called 9-1-1.

For weeks following the near death experience, Kiara and Ellie lived in her car and at different shelters and hotels.  Miraculously the Lord arranged for her to be baptized at a local church and make connections with a personal injury lawyer to fight the legal battles against the dead-beat, neglectful landlord.

Last month, Kiara moved to another state where she lives with a friend of a friend who needed a roommate.  Within twenty-four hours of arrival, she had registered her daughter in a good school and found ample employment for her new life.  

All along the way, GOD has been faithful to Kiara and Ellie.  She sees it in her miraculous recovery from carbon monoxide poisoning.  She sees His deliverance when she escaped from abuse. She sees it in the sweet faith of her little girl.  She sees His faithfulness in friends who stepped up when she had nowhere to go.  She sees His tender hand in every provision and protection in her life.

Kiara sees that trusting the Lord doesn’t guarantee a trouble-free life, but He promises to care for us and to never leave us in our darkest times.  It is a blessing for FOCUS Ministries to help and serve and support women like Kiara and her precious Ellie.  May the Lord bless and keep you today and always as you come alongside our ministry and moms like Kiara.

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Big Man stood in the middle of the street with his hands on his hips, watching Little Wife drive away.  “She’s not worth it.  She’ll be back.  She has nowhere to go and she needs me.  She’ll be back in a little while, after she cools off.  She’s just not worth it, but she sure does need me,” and he walked back into his grim house, alone, mumbling to himself.

Meanwhile Little Wife was driving further and further away from his grim house, checking her rearview mirror and making important phone calls.  She felt empowered, full of energy and purpose.  She felt completely in control.  She felt like she was flying.

First she called her oldest daughter.  “Hi honey, this is Mom.  The kids and I escaped.  Can we stay with you for a couple of days until we make a plan?” 

“What?” Her daughter was incredulous and couldn’t believe the good news.  “Mom, of course!  My roommate is gone for a few days.  Yes, please stay here.   We’ll make a plan.  You’ll be safe here.  We have enough room.”

Then Little Wife called her brother.  “Hi, it’s me.  The kids and I escaped and we are free from Big Man.  Can you help us?”

“What?”  Her brother was shocked and amazed and happy.  “Of course, how much do you need?  I’m here for you always.  So glad you got away from that bully Big Man.”

Then Little Wife prayed.  “Father in heaven, you know my heart.  You know my situation.  You know what I should do next.  Please help me and help my children and keep us safe.  Show me what to do next.  I need you, Jesus.”

They arrived at Susan’s apartment about an hour later.  There were tears and hugs and laughter and much discussion about the events of the day.  Little Wife told Susan about Big Man’s endless ranting and raving, his manipulation, his gaslighting, his constant controlling her, his emotional abuse and the passive-aggressive attempts to suffocate her.

“Mom, I’m so glad you escaped.  We’ll rest and make a plan.  You have nothing with you?  No clothes? No stuff?”

“No, we pretty much just walked out with just one important thing.  See your sister has her Teddy bear and Tim has his Bible and Bill has his Tide pods he brought home from college.” And they laughed about that because Bill was smiling sheepishly.  

“I sure didn’t want him to take that away from us,” he explained, and they all laughed and laughed.  It felt so good to laugh.  

Little Wife kept her eyes on her phone, knowing that Big Man would be calling soon, asking where she was and telling her to come back home.  Sure enough, she saw his number on the screen, but she didn’t answer it.  Not just once, not just twice, but five times he called and left voicemails.  She ignored all the calls and text messages.  Little Wife went dark to Big Man.

She smiled and thanked God for the pizza Susan ordered.  They ate together happily, talking about the ways that the Lord had helped them so far.  As they curled up on the couches and on the blow-up bed, Little Wife thanked God for her family, for His provision and protection and for His plan, whatever it might be.  She knew that whatever was in their future was surely better than what they experienced these past years.  She knew that flying the coop was the BEST thing she had done in a long, long while.  And God was just getting started.

******

Chaplain’s Note:  When we are at the end of our rope, when we are running from the enemy and facing the seemingly endless Sea of Impossibilities, when it seems there is no way out, when it is the darkest night of our lives, THAT is when the love of God shines brightest.  

THAT is when doors miraculously open that we didn’t even see before. 

THAT is when God shows up and shows off. 

THAT is when abuse is redeemed.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”       Proverbs 3:5-6

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So many of the people who stopped at our table were interested in our Teen FOCUS program and especially excited to hear about our new Youth Workbook Study project.  We are all in agreement that it’s important to reach the young people with the Gospel and also with all the ways they can trust God to help them identify healthy relationships and run away from “red flag relationships”.  

Several of the church and Mission Fest attendees were grateful to learn that our trainings for DV Certification and Support Group Leadership are now available on our website.

Trinity’s Pastor Keith Speaks centered his message on the struggles we face as workers in the Lord’s harvest as well as the peace and protection that comes as we remember the Lord is with us always.  Chaplain Natalie was asked to describe how the Lord Jesus Christ has protected our ministry and the women we serve locally and across the nation.

We are very grateful for the assistance of our Very Valuable Volunteer, Nancy and for ongoing opportunities to share the mission of FOCUS Ministries with the churches who faithfully support us.

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