Supporters, friends and our families who love and support this ministry, we are so thankful for all of your love and kindness towards the women we serve, our staff, and the help that has been so influential over the course of the last several years. It is with great excitement that I write today to tell you that our transitional living home has been open and housing three women for the past 45 days. Praise the Lord!
This is truly an act of Gods grace and divine plan and his timing is truly perfect. Two years ago when we were given the Scarlet Hope House we had a vision to see rooms filled with beds, a dining room with a big table, a kitchen where residents could make their own meals and to begin housing women that were desperate to transition out of the adult entertainment industry! I can say, only by the Lord’s grace that two years later, it’s begun!
It hasn’t been an easy road, every wall was covered in endless layers of wall paper, every light needed replaced, the electricity needed rewired, we needed bathrooms, the home was in need of TLC to make it truly a refuge where women could come and learn about Jesus and receive the help they needed. Many of you took time, money, items, and so much more to make this possible! From God providing a family to renovate our bathrooms and kitchens for the residents, to a donation that would replace all the carpet in the home, to a table that seats 16 built out of 120 year old barn wood where dozens and dozens of faces have been fed over the past two years, it’s been absolutely incredible and we can’t thank you each enough!
Because of sacrifices that have been given to the ministry we now are a certified 12 bed transitional living facility with a five month Christ centered program we call our Hope Program. Each month residents graduate to a new level in the program in hopes to be able to build a firm foundation in Christ and transition onto their own two feet. Katie is our house mom that lovingly lives with the ladies and is there for evening support and care, a Hope Program Leader – Melissa who oversee’s the daily activities of the residents and volunteers that have a part each day in this journey.
One of our residents tells this story…..
Since I was 12 years old I have known nothing but drugs. My family introduced me to weed which progressed into shooting up heroin day in and day out. Years later as I got older I found myself working in strip clubs, drug dealing and making a living off of manipulation and lies. One day I met the notorious “church ladies” in the clubs and they befriended me. They kept inviting me to bible study and they kept calling me to go to church. I wanted that friendship, but I was on so many drugs I felt like I couldn’t have it. I went to bible study one night high on drugs and the ladies in the group told me how it affects the other girls so I didn’t’ go back for awhile, but then about 2 months ago I walked into the Hope House for the first time in almost eight months. I walked in and saw everyone and I felt home. I was sober for the first time since I was 12 years old and I actually liked myself. After that night, I went home and things started happening to me, but I didn’t turn to drugs, I had this peace about my life that I had never felt before. My car broke down and I was actually ok with it. Slowly I felt God tugging on my heart. I went back to bible study the next week and I told the ladies I had to give my life to Jesus and be baptized! I was baptized that night and my life continues to change. That next Sunday I found myself homeless and desperate to get away from all the drugs and abusive people I was around, so I loaded up my car and headed straight for the Hope House. I walked in to find ladies already living there and some volunteers hanging out with them. I told them I was going to be homeless, but that I didn’t care I knew God was going to take care of me! The volunteers made a few calls and within the hour I was now a new resident in the Hope Program! I was willing to give up my cell phone, my car, everything I had so that I could go where God was opening a door. I can honestly say though it’s not been an easy decision, it’s been one of the best decision I’ve made. God has continued to speak to me, even when I least expect it. I tried to leave the Hope Program last week actually and as I was walking away from the house I saw an old sign hanging on the Hope House garage and it said “Be still and Know that I am God” I stopped instantly and knew that sign was for me, that God was speaking to me.
– Child of God, Resident of Hope House
We pray that God will continue to call women like this resident and our home to be filled for years to come. We fight from victory and for these women every day, your support and prayers are vital. Pray with us, for support for them!
Many blessings,
Rachelle Starr
Founder & Executive Director
Scarlet Hope
