Those encouraging letters were part of the catalyst which drove the Hamilton family to start this organization. The hope that was shared with them lit a fire to help others going through similar things – hope is contagious, you see! All these years later we are still sharing the beauty of what it means to overcome and how such a story is available to each of us.

The thing that excites me about these retreats is the stories of those who will be in attendance. Some have very tragic stories and are fresh in their pain – months out from a traumatic event, for some. This next week they will be loved in such a special way and they will find community. They will share tears as well as laughter and together we will find healing. It’s not just them – it’s us, too. We all find the hope to overcome the challenges of this season. As they discover the strength to share their story and to change from victim into victor, so do I. As they step out of suffering into redemption, so does the leadership. As they move from tragedy to knowing their trajectory, so does the community of this organization. 

Everything that will take place next week, God had in motion before each of their personal tragedies and far before that of Bethany or before mine. Hindsight brings beauty to the mess that we experience in life, changing our “why” into testimonies of courage and strength. That thought alone brings humble tears to my eye, that I get to be a small piece of His work.

We have seen so many people step up to the plate to make this financial feat possible. So many from all over the world have given what they can to make this possible. Every gift, large or small, is helping to write a story of hope for another person and increases my hope for all that we are called to do. Thank you all for being on this journey with us. Thank you for daily reminding me it is worth moving forward in faith, trusting God is faithful to provide. Thank you for bringing me back to those letters all of those years ago that awakened in me the powerful beauty of humanity. You all inspire me so much and when the days are long or the challenges come in the long months of planning, it’s all worth it. I am truly so thankful to each of you!