New Environment, Same Powerful God

I sit here in a coffee shop in downtown Savannah with week 1 behind me. It's been a roller coaster of emotions for me. The Living Vine is the name of the maternity home, and they have been here in operation for 18 years. In that amount of time they have come to know a few to do's and not to do's when it comes to maintaining healthy, impactful relationships with the girls here.

For those of you who aren't familiar with the work I'm doing, The Living Vine is a home for expectant mothers and their unborn children. The Vine seeks to provide a safe place for these women and offer a loving residential program that teaches the principles of a disciplined Christian life and seeks to build reconciliation in the existing broken families. The Vine has had over 300 women in and out of their program since they opened operation in 1996. 

What does this look like tangibly for me now? 2 girls, young, who have been in the program now for about a month. I will work 40 hours on with the girls a week, and explore Savannah and live in the home for the rest of the week. I worked my first 2 shifts this week, Thursday night and a double shift all day on Saturday. Going into my first shift on Thursday I was nervous out of my mind. I hadn't met the girls yet, but had heard a TON of information about how to react to certain tough situations, about topics that we do not discuss in the Vine with the girls, about difficulties they often have with girls and why, and about how I needed to be firm yet loving. 

"Don't let them sense that you want them to like you,"

"Don't touch them if they're angry,"
"Don't talk theology or denominations with them,"

"Don't tell them your age,"

"Don't talk secular movies or music,"

"Enforce them calling you Miss Nicole."

I was overwhelmed going into that first shift. So many rules floating through my mind, I wasn't sure what I was going to talk with them about. I went to make my first introduction and immediately called myself Nicole... forgot the Miss, and was greeted by silence. You've just got to chuckle (later of course). Their bark is scarier than their bite. Ultimately, these girls just want to feel safe, and want to feel loved. They come from tough backgrounds, and trust is not given, it's earned. They can fight you on the rules, but in reality they wouldn't feel safe without them.

I'm 2 days in and already love the 2 girls that are here. We've watched movies, talked about Christ, and already played a ton of Rummikub. I get to end my days praying with them and over their babies, and seeing smiles on their faces brings me joy. This world is broken, and the effects of that stretch farther than we know, but we are in a battle with Satan. We have the Savior of the world on our side, and if we're faithful to pray, to fight, to trust, He will intervene.

Love you guys, pray this week for:

*2 new girls moving into the home this week and their babies, for their transition to our program, and for a new dynamic in the home amongst the girls.

*Diligence and strength on my part to lean further into the Lord and watch His glory and goodness flood this home.

*Against the pain of these girls' past and the different holds it has on each of them

*Pray that the generational curse that's had a hold of these girls' families not flow to their babies, pray it's broken now.

*For opportunity to grow and understand the character of God on a deeper and deeper level every day for me.

I so appreciate your prayers. And here's some eye candy for you, got to see these beautiful sights on my drive in from Atlanta:

Minihaha Falls

Tallulah Gorge State Park