Toya McClean and her team of women witnessed a creative miracle of God last week. They were in Swaziland on a vision trip, emotionally exhausted by all they’d seen, and then, in a time of ministry, God showed up in a way they’ll never forget.
Visiting people’s homes made of mud and sticks had pushed some of the women on the team over the edge. Most of the
day they kept saying, “This is too much. How much more of this will we
see? How do you call this a home? Why doesn’t someone do something?”
day they kept saying, “This is too much. How much more of this will we
see? How do you call this a home? Why doesn’t someone do something?”
They were broken as they participated in a ministry called “Beauty for Ashes” (based on Isaiah 61) that gives women the opportunity to share their pain with one another.
Toya shared what happened as they facilitated the Beauty for Ashes ministry: “We spent time with them sharing our testimonies and allowing them to share theirs. I asked the Swazi ladies to sing as we washed their feet and prayed. As we moved from woman to woman, the Swazi ladies sang and danced and praised the Lord. Most of my team was in tears.
Women in Swazi culture are expected to hide their pain. They live
for years not knowing if anyone understands what they’ve endured.
They’ve been abused mentally and physically, beaten, kicked out of
their homes and forsaken by their families.
for years not knowing if anyone understands what they’ve endured.
They’ve been abused mentally and physically, beaten, kicked out of
their homes and forsaken by their families.
Toya shared what happened as they facilitated the Beauty for Ashes ministry: “We spent time with them sharing our testimonies and allowing them to share theirs. I asked the Swazi ladies to sing as we washed their feet and prayed. As we moved from woman to woman, the Swazi ladies sang and danced and praised the Lord. Most of my team was in tears.We could feel the presence of God. Then, the most remarkable thing happen. Ashes began falling on us out of thin air! We didn’t know what to think or say. We were awestruck.”
God surprises us sometimes. When, in the midst of suffering, people worship him, he loves to show up in ways that knock their socks off. Cynics and agnostics are risking a lot in dismissing this personal and powerful God we serve. He is real and he is active.
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Oh sweet Jesus, your love never fails, and your mercies are new every morning.
Thank you Toya for your obedience.
Thank you Jesus for your overwhelming presence in our lives!!
Thank you Lord for each of the miracles that you give us each and every day! Beauty For Ashes is your ministry and your team is blessed to plow the road to make it a reality!
Toya, we are blessed to call you our sister and friend!!!!
The next Beauty For Ashes retreat in the states is Feb. 19th-21st in Sarasota, Florida. Let us know if you are interested.
Blessings abound.
I am so excited when I hear of The Holy Spirit’s movement like that. Good job y’all.
Beautiful reminder that our God is listening… that He hears every heartache… records every tear. And most of all, that He will restore – and stands ready to heal those who desire it enough to come humbly and honestly before Him.
I can’t wait to meet some of these women from Swaziland – it is beyond imagination what so many of them endure every day. And yet, praises and dancing come out of them constantly!
Blessings to Toya and Meg and the rest of the team who helped facilitate this day. Hard to know who was blessed more, I’ll bet – our team from America or the Swazi women. 🙂 May the Lord continue to grow each of us in His love and care…
Absolutely beautiful!
My, what an awesome, loving, faithful God we serve….He answers before we call….
Praise God for his goodness in the midst of such unfathomable suffering.
Thanks for sharing… how awesome is our God!
Yes,that was for sure a powerful day. There was not a dry face at the debrief that evening.
That is incredible!!! Thank you Jesus for showing your power.
God is so amazing and incredible to show His power, care, and love like He did! I can only imagine how deep they all experienced the love of their Father through those falling ashes that day!
WOW! That God showed up in this way at this moment is testament to His very PERSONAL love and intimate knowledge of His children.