58:12 Rescues safe house receives upgrade from Blessing Design Team
By Colleen Callahan
June 27, 2016
813
Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called repairer of broken walls, restorer of streets with dwellings. Isaiah 58:12
On May 27 at 5:49 a.m. Barb Chalmers posted a video to Facebook. This was not a glamorous, premeditated selfie. Still in her pajamas, Chalmers was sleepy-eyed with blonde, tousled hair. Her voice was hoarse, but her message was clear: a need for volunteers to help repair, rebuild and create loving spaces for those who are most deserving. It took her four minutes and three seconds to record and deliver her message. She laid out the details for three summer projects including 58:12 Rescue and a safe house for physically abused woman and children.
Interior design consultant at Restoration Details, Chalmers has found her calling in creating beautiful living spaces, which provide peace and joy to those who have been gifted by her touch. However, Chalmers recalls sitting in church five years ago and praying, asking God how she could use her talents and gifts to bestow those in need with a nurturing environment. It was always a dream of mine to get a bunch of women together and through fundraising and combining our collective talents provide individuals with serene spaces, she said. With a start-up group of 12 women the Blessing Design Team was born. Every year we raise money for our projects with the Christmas Home Tour, and we collectively nominate a family in need.
Recently at the befearless Fashion Show in Berlin, Chalmers listened to Kendra Kaufman of Grace Mennonite Church talk about 58:12 Rescue. She later called Kaufman and asked to meet with her over a coffee. Chalmers wanted to give in any way she could to the safe house. I knew I didnt have a budget for this project, but I also know how cool God is in opening doors, she said. We decided to overhaul the house managers living quarters as that apartment had not received attention most likely since the construction of the home. What started out as a mini makeover ended up being anything but mini.
The Facebook video worked. It was shared by numerous people in Holmes County who contacted Chalmers with either a commitment to donate time, money or both. She started with her unwavering faith, zero funds and a handful of Blessing Design crew. She ended up with numerous volunteers and enough funds to complete the makeover, and more importantly she made new friends, shared stories and renewed faith. I see what Gods doing. He puts people together for a reason, she said. Sometimes I feel like a carpenter who can build but has no hammer or nails. The folks who couldnt give their physical time donated materials and funds. The women and men who gave their time ended up sharing stories, laughing and even crying. God heals us when we bring healing to others.
Three years ago Grace Mennonite Church pastor Larry Kaufman and his wife Kendra Kaufman had been praying on how they could provide rescue, shelter and restoration to vulnerable women and children in the community who have suffered physical and sexual abuse. Two years ago a generously sized home tucked away on a private, serene location was given to the church by an anonymous donor. This home was given to us by someone in our church for the purpose of providing a safe house to woman and children, Kendra Kaufman said. It is entirely funded by donations and fundraisers. With the help of the media, police, social workers, attorneys and community, we have been able to get the word out. We are here, and we have the equity of relationships to benefit these woman and children with all of their needs.
Providing full-time care for the 14 residents of the safe house required a full-time resident who could empathize with the women and their children. Tonya Yoder understands, not just viscerally but physically, the pain women feel when victimized. Yoder was raped when she was 9 years old. Though the physical rape stopped when she was 11, the emotional rape of her spirit continued. I didnt tell anybody. I was afraid and confused, she said. I finally told my best friend when I was 18, and at the age of 22 I secretly sought out help with Springhaven Counseling Center.
Yoder has lost many of her childhood memories from the egregious trauma she experienced, but through years of counseling and finding her voice to share her story she has forgiven her abusers. Ive moved on. God has healed me completely though I will always have scars.
Yoder shared her story with the Kaufmans after attending a sermon on justice. They offered her the position of house manager for 58:12 Rescue two months before her marriage to Joseph Yoder. We prayed on it and felt very at peace with our decision to commit after our winter-long honeymoon in Florida, Yoder said with a smile. Ive come full circle. I still struggle with the emotions of listening to the guests stories. I find myself getting super mad at some of these men and wanting to take a hammer to their head for all of the pain they have inflicted. I pray that God gives me peace so I can better serve these deserving, brave woman.
The makeover of the Yoders apartment has provided a tranquil oasis, and though the apartment is attached to the safe house, the newly wedded couple can close the door at the end of their day and find peace and each other.
House guest Mary Jane (not her real name) was ecstatic to see the transformation of the Yoders apartment. She and her children have been guests of the safe house since April. They have come to trust and love the Yoders. I discovered 58:12 Rescue through the newspaper. My husbands increased beatings finally left me hospitalized with brain trauma, she said. When I walked into this house, I was terrified. I couldnt sleep for two weeks, worrying he would find me. Tonia, Joseph and Kendra made me feel welcomed and more importantly safe. My kids love Tonia and Joe, and because of these people I am building my self-confidence and self-esteem. I was told for years I was useless, unimportant and had no value, and over time I believed it. I lost myself until I came here. Tonia is my friend. She is more than a house manager. I know her story, and she knows mine.
Mary Jane has a message for women who might be reading this story who are in an abusive situation and need help: Pick up the phone and call the hotline. You will be safe. Your children will be safe. I am safe.
Last Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. the Yoders walked through the front door of their newly renovated apartment and were greeted by volunteers, house guests, family and friends for the big reveal. Walls of dated Victorian wallpaper were now painted in soothing colors inspired by nature. From floor to ceiling every room was renewed. Inspirational murals painted by Amy Schlabach were the icing on the cake, reminding the Yoders with Biblical passages that they in fact are the repairers of broken walls.
If you are woman in a situation of physical or sexual abuse call the 58:12 Rescue 24 Hour Hotline at 330-204-5788. For more information including volunteer opportunities, donations and general questions, email 5812rescue@allaboutgrace.org or visit the website at www.5812rescue.com.
Call Barb Chalmers at 330-998-2434 for summer volunteer projects starting July 9-23.
