From the opening worship time to the final prayer, each segment of the mentoring workshop captured my attention. To be perfectly honest, I had attended with the anticipation of hearing three individuals speak: Aimee, Jennifer and Shannon. I was not disappointed.
Another Look at the Hands of Hope Mentoring Workshop
Editor’s Note: Hands of Hope has formed as a branch of Abolition Now, providing mentoring, prayer support and resources to the sexually exploited and those working on the front lines of rescue and restoration. Hands of Hope Mentoring exists to provide support for sexually exploited women that law enforcement, government agencies, advocates and other professionals cannot do as part of their job description. Here is one attendee’s perspective of our most recent Hands of Hope Mentoring Workshop, held at Southwest Bible Church:
From the opening worship time to the final prayer, each segment of the mentoring workshop captured my attention. To be perfectly honest, I had attended with the anticipation of hearing three individuals speak: Aimee, Jennifer and Shannon. I was not disappointed. However, there was so much more than I could have anticipated. The others who participated brought a richer and deeper substance and aroma to the entire experience. Even the carefully collated notebook helped immensely as it offered pages of biographical sketches, lecture notes, note paper and a schedule.
Darlene’s brief talk set the tone for the day. She spoke of the Hebrew term for “hope,” meaning the stretching of a rope. Ecclesiastes refers to the “three fold cord that is not easily broken.” Obviously, one person cannot constitute a rope. A single strand needs more strands braided into it to offer strength and resiliency.
To stretch the analogy, speakers, survivors, pastors and counselors emphasized the importance of empathy extended to those who have been traumatized. Not only that, we need to see ourselves as a network of strands to help weave the wounding and hurting into a community of safe and caring individuals. When Pastor Chris Coffman challenged us to look at ways the Good Samaritan risked himself to show mercy, the bandaging of wounds took on new meaning as he explained the Greek word for “wound” is TRAUMA.
Alex’s abbreviated personal account of his traumas underscored the need to not only be available but to also be prepared and equipped. Several psychologists and counselors presented various aspects of understanding trauma, each of which lent tremendous value to the overall picture. The final presentation handed a rope to the caregivers. Mentors also need ways in which they can heal from the vicarious traumas they experience. Practical suggestions for the comforter’s soul-balm include producing art work, exercising the body, praying to God, listening to God, meditating on Scripture, creating peaceful imagery, laughing at anything or nothing.
To say I benefitted from the workshop is faint praise. Hearing from those on the front lines gave me valuable new insights and increased awareness of areas I need to focus on. Would I attend again? Definitely. In fact, I look forward to the next time I can participate.
To learn more about Hand of Hope, visit the About Us page.
