Linwood House Ministries

Journey to the Art Experience

On August 18th five friends from the downtown Eastside gathered together with us at Linwood House for a three day, art themed Journey. With a smaller group, Jen, myself and our five dear friends tucked ourselves into “the station” off the main house and prepared ourselves for the creative journey that awaited us.

On our first night as we gathered in our circle, candles flickering around the room, we reflected on where we were in our personal journeys – where we had come from, the truth we stood in now, and where we were going. We opened ourselves up to what this weekend of art was going to teach us, and we declared that we were all creative women who had a place among all of the artists that would be gathering at the house throughout the weekend.

The next morning we woke and greeted our guest artist, Ron Stevens, professionally known as Rogest. He is a world renowned artist, environmentalist and humanitarian. He also happens to have a very big heart, a hilarious sense of humor and a deep belief in the potential that lies in each person and so was the perfect person to lead us.

The day was perfect, sunshiny and warm. We gathered outside of the station by the pond, and set up with our canvases, paints, smocks and open hearts. By the end of the day Ron said we would each end up with a beautiful landscape painting that would be auctioned off in the Linwood House Art Experience later that weekend. Really, he promised!

And so we began the process. First, covering the canvas completely with color. Then the sketch on paper. Next, transferring the sketch onto the canvas in a faint and easy outline. Then painting in the layers…..first, the dimension farthest away, sky and clouds. Then the next dimension and the next and the next. Layers and layers of paint added to create depth, dimension, texture.

The process was an interesting one. At times there was pride and excitement in what was unfolding on the canvas. At other times there was fear of being unable to meet the task at hand. Or disappointment at the way one stroke was too dark, too faint, went in the wrong direction, “ruined” what was already there. Sometimes, standing back to look at the canvas, only to wonder how this was going to turn into anything beautiful.

Ron encouraged us to press on, let go (ok, that might have been specifically a direction to me!) and trust the process.

He was right. At the end of the day, together we stood with 6 beautiful canvases and a deep sense of awe and pride at what we had accomplished. We had tapped into the creativity within us that perhaps had been dormant or that we didn’t even know we had, and you could see and feel the expansion in each of us……of hope, of possibility, of deeper, truer identity.

On Sunday, at the 5th Annual Linwood House Art Experience each of us gathered on the side lawn as featured artists to have our art auctioned off. Nina, Elizabeth, Carol, Grace, Marcy and myself had the opportunity to share a little bit of our story and our art before it was auctioned off to the highest bidder. There were many tears shed and victories honored as the guests heard stories of homelessness, addiction, brokenness and most of all, hope.

The response to our collective art was amazing! Close to $1000 was raised in the auction alone! As for our group…….the affirmation of our work, our process, our stories and our creativity was nothing short of joyous!

In our final circle together as a group that weekend, we shared about what this experience meant for each of us. Here are some of our reflections:

“My life was like that blank canvas. Coming to Linwood House for the first time, and connecting with God has put the color back in my life” – Nina

“I was always told that I would never do anything in life because of my learning disability. This weekend has helped to encourage me that my life does have potential and purpose” – Marcy

“I am grateful for the gift of finishing. This experience has reminded me to have perseverance in my life, that I can overcome any obstacle that comes my way” – Grace

Finally, I want to share with you the lyrics for what became our theme song for this wonderful weekend. From “Living Proof” by Mary J. Blige:

Anything you say to me
And everything you do
You can’t deny the truth
Cause I’m the living proof.
So many don’t survive,
They just don’t make it through
But look at me, yeah
I’m the living proof!

Thank you for your support, in every way, of the Linwood House Art Experience, The Journey and our amazing friends from the downtown Eastside. We are grateful!

~ Sue Todd

Be sure to check out our photos from this great weekend! Do you have any to add to the collection? Please let us know.

Grandma, artists, build Art Experience

AUGUST 19, 2011 
JAN DEGRASS/ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT WRITER
Coast Reporter 

She's known simply as Grandma and she's been serving the women of the Downtown Eastside for many years now, on the streets of Vancouver and on the Sunshine Coast through the retreat space offered by Linwood House Ministries (LHM).

At 98 years old, Grandma (Linda Marie Grant) is also a dynamite baker and cook. She has freely passed on her wisdom to guests that she learned from years of cooking for a family of six, including her daughter, Gwen McVicker, founder of Linwood House.

Grandma's skill has inspired a cookbook, Linwood Family Recipes, to be sold hot off the press this Sunday, Aug. 21 during the fifth annual Linwood Art Experience on the grounds of the lovely mansion in Roberts Creek.

Read the rest here

Europe 9: The Wrap-Up, and the What Now?

We are home safe and sound, jet-lagged and thankful.  The Linwood House Ministries’ Adventure to Europe is already a memory in the hearts and minds of the adventurers (Gwen, Britni, Emma, Karen, Diana, Donna, Anna, Robyn, Idelette) and the senders and pray-ers who have faithfully journeyed with us.  Our minds have been stretched, our hearts have been broken and our territory has been enlarged as we shared our lives and ministry with women in Europe and they shared their lives and ministries with us.  Both parties have been enriched and challenged.   We know as we have oriented ourselves to home this week that it is the end of this journey, and yet it also marks the beginning of a new journey.  The new journey begins with the question, “What now?” and begs us to process what we have seen and experienced on this trip.   How do we stay connected?  How do we support, inspire and help one another to persevere and do “even greater things” in the days ahead?

We have looked into the face of prostitution, trafficking, destination countries, sending countries, poverty, corrupt government, legalized prostitution and the effects, the church and justice, and are more than ever determined to do our part “to journey with women into the hope of their story”.  We will not stop until all women are released to be who God created them to be; equal and free, both here in our own nation and beyond.  

We experienced safe places where women can heal and become whole as we visited with Alabaster Jar, The Café in Berlin, Herz Werk in Vienna, The Church of Serbia and Slovakia, and the Choose Life Center in Novi Sad.  We met strong, courageous women who believe in God’s power to bring healing and wholeness and who choose to stand for justice in their communities and nations at great cost.  We heard the stories of the “ones” who have been freed from lives of enslavement.

We realized as we shared our own story of Linwood House Ministries that we are part of a much larger global story.  The provision of safe places at The Great Room and Linwood House, the building of relationships and trust, the creative ways of bringing value and dignity through art and music to women are some of God’s ways of bringing freedom to those who are devalued, abused, violated and sold.  Our story was received as an inspirational gift by the women of Europe.

More than ever, we are aware that there is much to do as everyone does their part here and throughout the world.  Everyone can effect change.  Will you continue to do your part and journey with us?

My deep felt thanks:

• To those who provided financial support, prayers and encouraging words as we travelled these past two weeks.
• To our hosts and hostesses who welcomed us into their country, lives, and ministries.
• To our organizers, Anna and Sheldon Armitage.
• And most of all to the 8 amazing women who travelled with me to Europe; Emma Strobell, Britni Ludwig, Robyn McVicker, Karen Reed, Diana Christou, Donna Cain,  Anna Armitage, Idelette McVicker.  The gift of their story, their openness to share, their vulnerability, their talents and resources were all part of God’s plan to bless the women of Europe.

Yesterday I received an encouraging email from Vesna, our host in Novi Sad:

Dear sister, 

Thank you, thank you for coming to our country, traveling so far away and for sharing your hearts with us. And what a beautiful hearts you have! You have served us well, your Serbian sisters, may you all be blessed for that!

I hope that rest of the journey was fruitful and encouraging and that you have many new sisters here in Europe! Please let me know of the rest of your trip. Also I want to thank you for the donation that you gave to us. It will be spent wisely where is the most needed at the moment. Thank you all!
 
And I do not have time right now but I just need to quickly tell you what had happened yesterday! And let me tell you this has never happened before. 

A girl 26 year old came to our home, she is a drug addict but also a prostitute. We have spent 4 hours talking to her.

A taxi driver, brother in Christ whose wife was at the seminar that you held, and who heard all about it, met this girl, driving her around and he guessed what is going on. He shared about his own addiction and Teen Challenge program and gave her our phone to talk to us if she wants to get out of all that madness. So she came. And let me tell you she is a beautiful human being.
Please pray! She needs so much love, she is afraid that we will reject her as all the other people. She is not very positive about going to the Rehabilitation center. Please pray! She is at the moment with my sister in law, Maja. Her name is 'K'.

I will send you some news soon.
 
Much much love
 
Vesna Radeka
Choose Life Center
Serbia

This is why we go, and this is why we ask you to journey with us. Please continue on this road by joining our Facebook Page, or following us on Twitter. You can also donate to this ongoing work online if you wish.

Thank you.

Gwen McVicker

PS. For those of you in the Lower Mainland please consider joining us next Sunday, August 21 from 1pm to 5pm, for our 5th Annual Linwood Art Experience!

Europe 8: Picking Up Where We Left Off

Slovakia

While I so wish I was sitting in my charming, bright yellow room in Slovakia writing this update, I must admit that I am in my cozy, blue room in Vancouver reflecting on our final day in Slovakia. Wi-fi was sticky towards the end of our trip, so, here we are now: Slovakia.
 
Quite honestly, I remember waking up on this final day (last Thursday) in Slovakia, dropping my blush/bronzer combo, watching it shatter and crumble on our less-than-sanitary bathroom floor, scooping it back into its worthless gold container [totally irritated], feeling like this was probably a prophetic incident for how my day was going to go. We were as a team somewhere between exhaustion and this incredible eagerness to still hear and see what was next. I felt like I had come as my blush/bronzer combo had: appearing solid and intact, but really made up of small bits that come apart almost by accident when I forget to pay close attention.  I felt like I was scooping myself into the day--trying to make room for as many bits as possible. But as we all met for breakfast at Anna and Sheldon’s lovely apartment in Nitra, I realized we were all in the same boat--ready to fill in for each other’s missing pieces. This was the beauty of our circle.
 
After breakfast we met Lubka and Michal, a couple starting a church plant in a neighboring city, over lunch to hear about the “re-education centre” we would be visiting.  We learned that the centre is a government run program for youth under 18 with behavior concerns, crisis pregnancies, and young moms. For some, it is a safe place out of abusive situations, a place of opportunity. For others, it appears to be a somewhat sterile environment where they are under lock and key.  We had about 10 young moms/moms-to-be join our circle. Much like Serbia, we brought snacks along, laid out the beads, and had fresh roses around the room.  Before making bracelets together, we started our time by introducing ourselves and then a few of us shared our stories using our ‘story bracelets’ as examples. Once again, what a beautiful array of story, rich in experience, and such hope sprouting within these young women as they continue to grow up.  I was continually amazed by how all of the women we met responded to our stories: with great love, compassion, and honor in the fact that we would come and share simply our lives with them, with no real agenda- simply to connect.
 
A ‘house mom’/staff person came in and out of the circle as well. There was a softness about this woman. It was clear in the way she looked at each of the girls and the babies/toddlers in the room that she had great love and concern for each one. While we only had a couple of hours here, Lubka mentioned that it gave her such insight into the girls’ stories and lives and created a new openness for future visits.  We so look forward to hearing about the relationships that Luby and Michal will continue to foster in this place with these beautiful, hopeful, young women.
 
Next came the drive through Slovakian countryside, which is absolutely beautiful, to another city about an hour and a half away.  In the car ride we brainstormed ideas for the time we would have with a women’s circle from another church plant.  We settled on the story of Princess Tamar who is raped by her half brother and denied justice by her father, King David.  In fact, she lives a desolate life of despair, holding an untold story.  Maya Angelou suggests that “there is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside of you.”  We couldn’t agree more. Britni played the role of a lovely Princess Tamar as Gwen read aloud the biblical story.  As our Tamar, lowered herself to the floor with each loss of dignity, respect, advocacy, and family, we as her sisters came alongside her and lifted her up with words of love and action: I will stand by you, I will be your friend, I love you, I see you, I hear you, I believe you. You are beautiful. You have a purpose. You are my friend ... You are my sister. 

It was a powerful moment as we tangibly saw what it takes, what it means to stand by a sister. We then shared some of our stories, including moments where there have been feelings of rejection and/or judgment by the church, challenging the idea that there are certain taboo issues we must bear on our own- secretly.  Again we had laid out the beads that would represent pieces of story and invited the women to share in smaller circles using their story bracelet. It really is incredible to see how a small, hand-made, tangible bracelet can represent a woman’s story and provide the open door to sharing and then to action. Perhaps only a beginning, it is indeed in openness that we can begin to learn how to stand by and advocate for each other.  
 
I think we all took a deep breath as we drove back to Nitra for dinner, reflecting on the full day that we were certainly carried through. 

Thank you for your love and support--it meant more than you know!
 
With love,
 
Emma for Gwen, Robyn, Idelette, Donna, Karen, Britni, Diana, and Anna

Europe 7: Travel, Then Rest

Anno friends and family! 

 
Yesterday was a day of traveling for the team. After waking up in Hotel Vigor and meeting downstairs for breakfast, debriefing and prayer, the team met up for our final goodbye with Vesna and Neija. Our time spent with them in Serbia was such a blessing; they have been such an inspiration for us all. After hauling onto the bus with our many suitcases, we began the journey back to Belgrade where we boarded a flight for Vienna. Once in Vienna, we drove to Nitra, Slovakia, where we unloaded at the hotel and headed out to dinner where we had delicious Slovakian pizza and salads in a quaint little restaurant.

 

Today was our day for rest and relaxation; while some chose to catch up on rest at a local Wellness Center, a few of us decided to travel out to the old city of Bratislava, Slovakia. Bratislava is a lovely little city filled with cobblestone roads and beautiful architecture. A castle overlooks the city from a mountain and the golden roof of an old church peaks out above the surrounding buildings. We leisurely walked through the streets, occasionally stopping to look at souvenirs in nearby shops and stands. After Bratislava, we picked up the rest of the team at the Wellness Center and embarked on our drive out to Obsolovce where Anna's grandmother and mother hosted us for lunch.  Their cooking was absolutely incredible! The drive to and fromObsolovce was also amazing... the Slovakian countryside is filled with beautiful rolling green hills. I was completely in awe of the landscape and took numerous pictures as we zoomed along.

 

Tomorrow we are planning to meet up wth a local ministry that works with young women, including teenage mothers. We plan to connect with them through sharing our stories, creating story bracelets with them, learning more about the needs that exist in Slovakia and discovering ways to potentially partner with this ministry in the future.

 

Ciao,

 

Britni for the team: Gwen, Idelette, Robyn, Emma, Karen, Diana, Dawna and Anna

Europe 6: "Nothing Without Effort"

Monday in Novi Sad, Serbia.

We woke up today to a beautiful blue sky, warm sun, and hodge-podge breakfast at Hotel Vigor, with the server that I don’t think ever goes home.  He carried our bazillion suitcases up two flights of stairs, served us dinner right after, has served us breakfast daily since our arrival, making pot after pot of rich, dark coffee.  He is a picture of so many Serbian men and women working daily to make a living for themselves and their families.  We are discovering some of the beautiful ways that the Serbian people take such pride in their nation, communities, and families.  The women that have invited us into their space have challenged my ideas of what courage, strength, perseverance, and endurance look like.

Today we had the privilege of visiting Vesna’s pregnancy care centre.  It is sacred space in the heart of Novi Sad.  She is a woman who saw a huge need and labored for years to see her dream of women in her nation and surrounding areas supported in the midst of crisis pregnancies.  What she has discovered is a lack of support for women suffering abuse, grieving miscarriages, looking for adoption organizations that are honoring of the birth mom and the adoptive parents, safe sex education, women struggling with addictions, etc.  Over the last few days we have witnessed an inspiring process: women sharing their own stories and laying bare the areas of great need in their own country by listening to one another and beginning to share their heartfelt dreams of what would begin to fill the gaps.  One woman spoke of opening recovery homes for women struggling with addictions, as nothing like this exists here in Serbia.  She is currently completing her BA in Theology, hoping to continue with a Masters in Counseling.  She is a courageous woman dreaming on behalf of her Serbian sisters.

Gwen, Idelette, Britni, and I met yet another beautifully courageous woman, Devna, a wife and mother of five boys aged 6 to 16.  We were invited into her apartment with another Vesna--a coworker of Vesna’s at the care centre--this afternoon, and as she served us the rest of her son’s layered blackberry birthday cake from earlier this morning, she shared bits of her story and the reality of everyday life for a Serbian family.  She spoke of facades.  How a building would be repainted to be made beautiful, but still had no water on the inside.   How the park her boys played in had been destroyed by rambunctious youth at a nearby high school only to be fixed during the summer vacation with nothing in place to ensure destruction would not be repeated.  Money spent without consideration, or what Idelette described as fixing the symptoms without addressing the cause.  She shared stories of finding ways to keep two of her sons in the music academy when they had no finances for such things (her 12 year old son played the piano for us with incredible talent and her eldest son, David, plays the bassoon, clarinet, and guitar).  She spoke of many moments sitting in her apartment, pouring over bills praying and believing that somehow her God would continue to take care of her family while she and her husband continued to work hard.  She declared, “every woman in Serbia is an amazing woman.” In agreement, Vesna confirmed, “every woman in Serbia makes something out of nothing.”  These are women who know the truth in the statement “nothing without effort.”

As I sat at the small kitchen table, sitting on a backless oak chair straight from American Furniture Warehouse, looking around the small apartment flat wondering how 7 people thrive as a family in such small quarters, listening to this passionate, gracious, generous woman, I found myself stroking the silver pendant hanging around my neck.  It is a silver seal that reads in French, “nothing without effort.” On it is a picture of a cherub reaching up into a tree.  Sitting before me was a woman who absolutely embodies this statement on a daily basis.  Two of my dearest friends gave me this pendant when I graduated university, and, on learning Gwen’s tendencies to give away other people’s jewelry (ahem…) I had jokingly told her she better not get any ideas.  But, as I sat across from Devna, something inside me knew this pendant was never mine to keep.  As I unhooked the clasp from around my neck, I understood that there was something extraordinary about this ordinary Serbian mother.  I understood that as I put this pendant around her neck I was putting it around every single one of my Serbian sisters.  It is in the ordinary that they are indeed extraordinary and will together begin to lift each other up- believing in one another, supporting each other, loving each other. Because they know how to make something from nothing: with great effort.

Tomorrow we say goodbye.  Thank you Serbia for inviting us in, you are forever sealed on our hearts.

Thank you for your continued love and support.

With love,

Emma for Britni, Gwen, Idelette, Donna, Karen, Diana, Robyn, and Anna 

Europe 5: Serbia, Take Two

This update from Anna Armitage was lost in the internet for a day or two and so appears out of order. Anna and her husband Sheldon are our hosts for this trip, and her insights and local knowledge are greatly appreciated:

Saturday in Serbia

Today was our first full day in Novi Sad, Serbia. After a lovely breakfast spread of some national treats like various cheeses and meats, baked goods and pastes, we were ready to face the new day.

The morning started us off with a gathering of about 20 Serbian women who joined our team for a powerful time of exploring the topic of ‘the courageous woman’. Having had no previous knowledge of what group to expect, we were amazed at the quality and potential of ladies gathered in the place. It was our privilege to share pieces of our individual life stories with these awesome women. But as we felt that we are not only to give but needing to receive, we also invited the group to offer their gifts of their personal stories to each other. Through the simple yet powerful activity of using beads to create our ‘life story’ bracelet, we witnessed amazing work of art unfolding. Each woman, from the youngest to the oldest, freely expressing their life milestones with beads, was able to paint a picture of what her life has represented so far.

The connection and partnership in the room was stunning. There was a mutual sense of sisterhood and any possible barriers of language, ethnicity, or cultural difference was radically broken within this setting. We reminded ourselves of the Love that Christ pours into our lives. We have encouraged each other and remembered the power we have been given. We then moved to exploring what potential tools and gifts we possess that can help us turn any of our oppressions into opportunities.

We clearly saw that even in a fairly recently war-torn nation that deals with trauma and wounds inflicted upon the people, God reigns with power and love. He has purposes for the individuals and He has future for the nation and nationalities. He is calling people, His children to rise up and answer the needs and deal with the issues that the country faces. We stood together in the circle of grace, comprised of all of us hand in hand and we proclaimed that God will use our stories to hold each other up.

During our break in the afternoon, we enjoyed a great time with our hosts, Nesa and Vesna who are a brilliant couple with creative and progressive thinking and vision. In the evening, we got to take part in their church gathering service. They started the church about 2 years ago and it is vibrant and full of young people.

After introducing the team, it was time to bring the Word of God. And we had definitely heard His Word to us; so with the Holy Spirit’s help, we delivered a group sermon that might have been a new experience for all of us. But the outcome was encouraging and strengthening. The response was fantastic. We shared the story of Jairus and his desperate plea for his daughter’s healing; we shared also the connected story of the woman who for so many years suffered the pain and shame of her problem with bleeding. Each team member participated in re-telling these stories and drawing some teaching moments that inspire courage and willing hearts in all of us. The warm reception and welcoming of this church family was truly refreshing. The connection was beautiful. We have been given a definite invitation to return and it seems that some deep spiritual bonds were formed.

We can only look forward to what the next couple of days have in store!

Anna, on behalf of Emma, Robyn, Donna, Diana, Britni, Karen, Idelette, and Gwen 

Europe 4: Let us be Women who Love

Wow, Wow, Wow ... God has continued to knock our socks off here ... or rather our sandals! 

 

Yesterday we met with a large group in the local Campus Crusade offices (called Focus in Serbia), with many of the same women from the day before, as well as other many new women, The word is out and many women brought friends. We shared more of our own stories and listened to theirs.

 

An especially touching moment for me was when a new local friend read a poem she translated and typed out into Serbian from the SheLoves Magazine website - there was not a dry eye in the room. This powerful poem called Manifesto: Let us be Women who Love (authored by our own Idelette) struck a cord with our Serbian friends.  One women who was particularly touched after hearing this poem was someone I had so much wanted to connect with. She was in my small group the day before, but because of the language barrier we weren't able to talk. So after finding a woman who could translate for me, she poured out her heart breaking story of domestic violence and her courage to stand firm in her resolve to continue to love others. This woman also had invited her friend along and she told me that she was fighting cancer, and that because of this health issue she was yearning to connect with Christians, as she doesn't go to church. I had the privilege to pray with both of these women!

 

One of the outcomes of this wonderful evening is that this large group of women of all ages has committed to meet regularly to support one another in achieving their dreams of reaching out to the people of Serbia, and combating the huge obstacles facing them. Our theme yesterday was Women of Courage and it was profound to see them commit to take action.

 

We continue to see the outcome of your prayers...in sustaining us...and the surprises of God's orchestration and provision.

Thank you!

Donna, on behalf of Diana, Karen, Britni, Idelette, Gwen, Emma and Robyn 

Europe 3: From Serbia With Love

Hello from Novi Sad, Serbia

Gwen and I are curled up in our crispy white beds in a comfortable, clean hotel in Novi Sad, Serbia. It's late and we've had some full days.

Our team said goodbye to the serviced apartments in Berlin and flew off to Vienna this morning and then on to Belgrade. We arrived in Novi Sad late afternoon, had a team meeting to catch up with Sheldon (Anna's husband) who joined us in Vienna, and he briefed us on the history of Serbia and some of our itinerary for the next few days. At 7pm we met Vesna and Nesa--a dynamic local couple. Vesna started the Choose Life Center here in Novi Sad. She's a pioneer in this area and told us that 80% of abortions here are done within marriages and the government is actually concerned about the decline in the Serbian population, so she's had some attention, including TV interviews, etc. We'll learn more about her work over the next few days.

We'll be hosting a gathering with women from their church and other churches in the city on Saturday morning from 10:30-2pm.The plan is that every one in our team will share a part of our story ... We had a short trial run tonight and it's so moving to hear the stories even we as a team have lived. We are also doing the Saturday night service at the church. Please pray that we connect with the hearts of the women, but also the larger congregation, and communicate what they need to hear ... We really want to share what's on God's heart.

Further Reflections on Berlin

As you've already heard our last day in Berlin was fantastic. We gathered with the team from Alabaster Jar at noon at the Neustart Cafe. We'd bought flowers and went out shopping with Shalyn for the food for a lovely lunch with the women who work the streets right outside the cafe. We had about 20+ women pass through--coming in for beautiful salads and fruit and apfelstrudel; some created their own bracelets from the beads we'd brought from Canada, others sat down to have their nails painted. We were able to give them some gifts from the bracelets and necklaces we've brought along.

But the absolute highlight of the day was Diana with her scissors. She cut so many girls' hair ... It was amazing to watch them trust her and then be transformed in her chair. But she would love to share that part of our journey herself and what it had meant to her ... So keep an eye out for that.

For me it was a pretty tender time in Berlin. I loved being back in the city ... Germany was the very first country I'd ever traveled to in my life (at 16) and I loved being able to dig deep for my high school German and even to help our team a bit with ordering food and reading signs. But the very best part was when Emma and I took the invitations--translated into several different languages--out to the streets and invited the women in my broken German to come in for a meal, a hot drink and a haircut. It felt so precious to have the years I've studied for tests and exams and have the few simple sentences I have left now have real meaning. In fact, those very broken sentences invited two Czech girls who were standing on the other side of the road to come to the cafe ... The women were friendly and receptive, but when we went out a second time a bit later in the afternoon, one girl had a very sad face. We tried to smile at her, but it looked like she'd just had a very bad experience. I thought: I guess she's not going to come now. But I was wrong.

About 30 minutes later she and her friend came into the cafe. It was their first time there and at first they didn't really want to even eat anything ... But Anna speaks Czech, so she sat down with them and talked. They were so excited to have someone to talk to in their own language. I painted one girl's nails and they ended up spending the rest of the afternoon in the cafe, having a meal, getting haircuts, making necklaces and bracelets and just hanging out. Diana had done SUCH a beautiful job on them and they were so moved.

They hugged us so tightly when it was time to go ... I wished we could hold on to them, but have to trust that they got a glimpse of being loved.

There are many more stories from that day, but Diana will have to tell more ...

After cleaning up the cafe and praying one last time with the Alabaster Jar volunteers, we enjoyed a goodbye dinner with Patricia Green. We were so honoured that they welcomed us to Berlin in such a beautiful way and trusted us to come alongside them and love their women.

We definitely also appreciate your prayers. Our schedule is full, but we don't want to miss anything God wants to deposit in us and through us while we're here.

With such a thankful heart,
idelette, for Gwen, Robyn, Karen, Donna, Emma, Diana and Britni

 

Europe 2: A New Normal

Never have you seen so much construction. Undergrounds being rebuilt, power lines being dropped below ground, sewer systems reconstructed, museums rebuilt and buildings remodeled. It feels like Berlin is being held together with dust, scaffold and ‘Do Not Enter’ tape. 

Tuesday
On Tuesday we jumped on the S-Bahn transit line and traveled to meet with Patricia Green from Alabaster Jar (www.alabasterjar.de). Shalyn, the organization’s program coordinator, met us at the platform and led us to Patricia’s home for orientation. Patricia is a dynamo who is in her sixties and has spent her life trying to save trafficked women. Patricia started Rahab Ministries in Thailand and was there for more than 18 years. She was one of the first foreigners to begin working there with prostitutes and brothels, and ultimately trained up Thai women to take over.

Six years ago she came to Berlin. Originally her plan was to work with the growing population of trafficked Thai prostitutes in this area, however the need and opportunity was far greater with the German and Eastern European girls working the streets of Berlin.

Prostitution is legal in Germany. There are an estimated 400,000 legal prostitutes in this country, and more than 75% are non-German. The number of illegal prostitutes working in Germany is unknown. Berlin is a major centre for trafficked women from Eastern and Central Europe, and it is estimated that between 150,000 – 500,000 enter Germany illegally each year.  Pimping is illegal, but we have seen them everywhere.

Patricia’s vision for Alabaster Jar was something we could certainly relate to. They work to develop relationships with the girls on the streets by providing food and information, job skills, training, and legal and immigration assistance.  

After listening to Patricia’s heart and enjoying her homemade scones, Patricia suggested we head out to an area in Berlin where the local German girls work the street. So off we set off for Orienbergerstrasse. 

It is quite a yuppy area. Great shopping and delightful outdoor dining options dot the street. And dispersed throughout are gorgeous women selling themselves.

I was struck by the uniform: Long hair, high boots and cinched corsets. Dark tans and perfect makeup. The uniformity of presentation was so consistent that it was hard to distinguish individuals. As I walked down the street I felt like I kept seeing the same girl over and over. I tried to make eye contact but I wasn’t what they were looking for. Because prostitution is legal, the girls actively market themselves. They assess each man as they go by and proposition them. I was struck by the constant rejection they face. Over and over, men walking down the street would ignore the offer of one girl, but accept the next – and yet, the uniform made it hard to see what made him choose that particular girl over the first.  Perhaps the uniform is like a stage actor’s costume that gets taken off at the end of the show, the face scrubbed of it stage makeup, freeing the individual to once again emerge.

Wednesday
After experiencing the ‘Barbie Dolls’ of Orienbergerstrasse where the very tall, model-like German girls work the street, today we went to the Kaffe at Kurfurstenstrasse where the trafficked girls work. In addition to many other activities, twice a week Alabaster Jar rents out a little café in the heart of one of the main prostitution areas for trafficked women. While one team takes coffee and sandwiches to the girls working the street, another opens the café where women can rest in a lovely space with comfy chairs and enjoy good food. We divided up in our involvement, with some following on the street at a distance to pray.

The contrast of women in this area was significant.  They come from all over, primarily Eastern and Central European countries like Bulgaria, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Ukraine. The rates charged here are much less than on Orienbergerstasse.  Pimps are more obvious. There has been prostitution in this area for over 100 years. 

On both nights, what struck me most was the normalization of prostitution with the mainstream public.  As the women would take their positions on the sidewalk (sometimes only a few metres’ apart), couples and families with strollers would pass by without reaction. Sidewalk cafes were brimming with vibrant conversation.  I couldn’t shake the need for a new normal in this culture and wondered and prayed what it would take to expose the systemic dysfunction (here and everywhere!).  The entrenchment not only in the lives of each of these precious women but also in the society can be overwhelming.  

Diana from our team stayed at the Kaffe and engaged the women who dropped by for coffee and snacks.  The night saw a steady stream of women come by, and many would stay for an hour or more. Diana is a professional hairdresser and was able to offer the women the opportunity to get their hair cut.  This was the first time the café offered this, and they were thrilled with the response.  One particular woman from Thailand was so touched by Diana offering her services free and from the heart that she took a special ring off her finger and gave it to Diana, wanting to give back from her own heart.  As they embraced in tears, the other women in the Kaffe were so touched by the genuine expression of care and friendship that everyone ended up in tears.  It was a profound moment for all.    

It was a very late night.  We didn’t leave the café till midnight to catch our transit home. There is still much more to process… and learn… and do.  Thank you for your partnership in prayer.  It is needed and deeply appreciated.

Much Love

Robyn and Karen, on behalf of Britni, Emma, Diana, Donna, Idelette, and Gwen