internship reflection (part 5)

The Macon Rescue Mission

One of the doors of opportunity that swung wide open was at the Dove Center, downtown, as part of the Macon Rescue Mission. It was here that my heart was truly burdened for women and children in a way like never before. In my heart it was affirmed how much we as human beings, especially long for love. We were created for love, and somehow because we are fallen, we often leave relationships, or experiences feeling less than unloved. It’s quite horrible and destructive – hence the fruit I saw from the relationships of these women at the mission.

Domestic violence was present in each and every one of these women’s lives, and many of them lived off the system, struggling to make ends meet. Court and custody battles, as well as food stamps were as common to these women as a local paperboy’s news route. Somehow, despite all the craziness of these women’s lives, they opened their hearts up to me – testing that trust just one more time – and allowed me to be a part of what they were going through. They shared stories of people they loved and trusted utterly betraying them – of the shame and neglect they felt from losing their children to abusers or the system.

Many of the women unveiled drug addictions, past cases of abuse, and daily battles with mental illness. Entering the center was like going to a different world. It opened my eyes and my heart to the ‘lost’ and ‘broken’, the ‘weary hearted’ and the ‘captives’. In my heart the Lord somehow made a place for these beautiful sisters. They delighted in my coming, and I felt so honored that they would want anything to do with me.

I realize now it was not necessarily me that they wanted or were excited to have, but rather it was the Light, the Love which I carried to them – the Freedom, Hope, and Peace that surrounded my heart, and reached out gently for theirs as well. We truly are bearers of Light – and we shine, whether we realize it or not. This truth completely rocked my world as numerous times in Georgia people told me my face was glowing or shining. When we have an encounter with the Living God, we cannot help but shine for Him, and people see the Light – those seemingly most fallen somehow seem to be the least blind, and the most hungry for it, so they are drawn to it. Praise God!

Working with these women completely shook up my comfort – it prepared me to believe for big things – and allowed me to confront the torment of mental illness first hand. Realizing that there were almost always children involved made the ministry here that much tougher. I was reminded numerous times just how easy it is for people, how comfortable to naturally minister to kids. Kids are accepting, easy to please, and completely lovable. Adults are often a different story. The Lord gave me a unique burden for these women, a burden which extended beyond identifying them simply as the moms of the kids at the center. These women became like sisters to me – sisters I hurt for, cried for, prayed for, and looked forward to seeing. Serving them gave me a mindset of service I’d never quite thought of like this before. I was totally blown away.

Here is a copy of a write up I did for the Mission’s monthly newsletter after a unique ministry opportunity at the local Domestic Violence Awareness Conference:

Reflection on “Refuge” at DVA Conference – by: Christy Zbylut (intern)
Several weeks before Lizzie Chapel’s Domestic Violence Conference Mrs. Renee approached me about arranging a skit. I told the Lord if He truly wanted me to follow through with this, I needed Him to inspire me with a vision of the skit within my heart – and He came through faithfully. The song Refuge composed and written by Elizabeth Rhyno would be our music, and a series of words would help silently portray the testimonies of these women’s lives. I realized that through simplicity – the hearts of these women I work with on a weekly basis – the hearts that have long bore the burden and pain of domestic violence in their own lives would be the most powerful tool in portraying a message of healing at this conference. Through their brokenness, I began to understand how the Lord’s power to heal, restore, and bring light to things once caught up and entangled in secret, darkness, and shame would resound!

In some ways I am completely blown away as I look back at the conference. The vulnerability and freedom, with which these women approached this opportunity to publically display the reality of their ‘scarlet letter’ but also to declare the much greater mark of Christ upon their hearts, broke me. This skit and opportunity to share their “lives” with others gave each one of the women a special purpose! The Holy Spirit was so sweet and peaceful in that place. People were weeping, smiling, standing. I didn't watch them as I played - but simply smiled and sang my little heart out - but I saw people after, and they shared their hearts of how the Holy Spirit had moved them - they said the song was anointed and blessed their hearts immensely.

My favorite part was seeing how alive all the ladies from our mission looked - they were smiling, wiping tears from their eyes as we sat back down - but mostly their eyes were dancing!!! God used them to minister truth and healing to the hearts of those at the conference - I just know it. I could feel it! The women really moved my heart when they said afterward, "This isn't just a skit to us you know...this is our lives!" They are so right too --- stomped on by the world and people, but raised to life in Christ - these beautiful, recovering, hungry sisters of mine are walking down the healing path to Christ's feet day by day growing a little stronger, a little more joyful, a little more free - a little more alive! It is truly magnificent!

At the end of the conference we were invited back to minister a second time at their Domestic Violence Concert on Monday evening. I could hardly begin to comprehend what the Lord was doing to us all in using a group of weak vessels to promote His message of truth! Grace for All Families

Working with Grace for All Families exposed me to the clinical side of counseling, and allowed me to work directly under the tutorship/mentorship of a Licensed Christian Counselor, specializing in Marriage and Family Therapy, Mrs. Jennifer Ransom. GFAF allowed me the opportunity to spend one on one time with a woman older than myself pursuing a career in the field I have been studying for four years. Mrs. Jennifer did a phenomenal job investing her time and wisdom to me, and kept a teachable attitude herself during the process. I was surprised many times when she would mention having learned or been refreshed by a thought I shared.

Here I was able to delve into the beautiful, sometimes antsy practice of waiting, listening, and observing. I realized through this time that I am a very active person with creative ideas and motives. Basically, what it all boils down to is, I have a hard time sitting still. I never had a solid understanding of this before sitting through various counseling situations, but the revelation allowed me to adapt accordingly and to have a clearer understanding of what my life passion, or heartbeat may entail. I was able to share the testimony of God’s restoring work in my family with numerous clients, and to speak life into darkened situations.

I was often humbled and blown away by the opportunities I had to interact with clients, and how receptive they were to what the Lord was speaking through me. I was reminded daily during these occurrences, that it had nothing to do with me, I am merely a vessel and as I am obedient in allowing the Holy Spirit to speak through me – beautiful things happen – hearts are changed, chains are broken, and people are refreshed. I also learned the importance of not sitting idly, but rather taking opportunities of simply observing and listening to pray for clients, to intercede on their behalf. Mrs. Jennifer always made it a priority for us to pray before and when able, after sessions. This process once again refined, solidified, and exposed me to greater moments of viewing the Lord’s people through new lenses – and using this sight for His glory.

Morningside Assisted Living Facility

Volunteering throughout the summer with my CITs opened up doorways to return several times throughout the fall to visit with and minister to the elderly residents of Morningside. It was in this place that laughter and joy danced down every hallway. It was in this place that I was reminded of the beauty of a child-like faith, and the importance of loving everyone equally. These residents selflessly interacted with one another daily, and loved socializing. They were perfectly content in sitting together over a milkshake and telling old stories of falling in love, riding around in classic cars, and growing up.

They affirmed my heart for missions work, and delighted in the simplest of things. They were always up for a challenge, and were unashamed of looking foolish or silly. Many of them would dance or wear a pair of crazy glasses at a moment’s notice, and though their bodies were frail, their hearts exploded with love and kindness. I saw a lot of love in these people – and a lot of joy I’d like to carry with me into my elderly years. I often wondered, “Which one of these residents will I most resemble when I get to this point in life?”