My first date was with a 63 year old man, and after dinner I very quickly realized this was not something you get paid for without any touching involved. And I didn’t leave untouched. As much as I hated it, I could not deny that I felt powerful with the money and the illusion of freedom. An illusion of freedom that would soon become my prison. I grew up in a healthy and stable family, but I was living a double life. I was using drugs and being reckless at age 14.
Read MoreWe are in a season at The WellHouse of offering more opportunities for the adult residents who bravely seek to have their lives restored. Faith remains the foundation as we move forward with a new level of programming that will more carefully identify individualized needs including the fact that some need more time to reach certain levels and others need less. Time restraints will be removed as our staff, partners, and volunteers pour into survivors with the goal of guiding them to an ending filled with moments of which they can be proud and can excel.
Read MoreWe had an exciting, but big undertaking to tackle this summer - moving into the new barn on our campus. Thanks to many of you, we were able to build and move all of the furniture into the barn within our desired timeframe! We are well aware that we could not have done it as efficiently without all of our volunteers’ help. Our residents now get to enjoy the peaceful barn because of your hard work.
Read MoreResidents at The WellHouse have walked through unimaginable tragedy and trauma. Of course they are sinners, as we all are, but they have not allowed this to harden their hearts! Instead, they desperately cry out for glory, as they come to know the only One who can truly heal them. They beautifully humble themselves to be exalted by Him. Their worship is the most beautiful sound!
Read MoreWe know that for many of the survivors on our campus, substances have been used as a form of escape from their childhood trauma and trafficking. Our goal is to offer them physical, emotional, and mental safety so that they can live in peace. It is consistently true that those we intake into the program are brave women making the choice to heal, grow, and restore their lives.
Read MoreWhat motivates you? What gets you up in the morning, dressed and out the door – affirmation from loved ones, tangible rewards, attaining your personal or team goals? Whatever it is, you can be sure your unique life seasons and dreams have shaped it. For a survivor of human trafficking, motivation can be tricky. When you’re fighting for your life, survival is often the only motivator.
Read MoreWe are dedicated to healing and success for our residents, and we constantly seek to improve our programs and services to accomplish this for each unique woman and girl. Thus, we are intentionally seeking to establish and maintain communication with former residents to both check on their status offering resources if needed, as well as evaluate our organization.
Read MoreThanks to The WellHouse, all of those doubts I had about God are a thing of the past. Today I believe God has always loved me, even when I didn’t love myself. Today I fully understand the price Jesus paid for my sins and knowing that he has forgiven my sins has helped me to finally forgive myself. Best of all, today I can finally see what I couldn’t see for all those years. I survived my trauma because God has been protecting me, and will always protect me. I am never alone.
Read MoreIn the past few months, we have accepted ten new residents into our Restoration Programs. They are from Washington, Utah, Tennessee, Alabama, Virginia, Ohio, Texas, and Florida. Their stories range from early childhood trauma to addiction, grooming, and sexual exploitation.
Read MoreA graduate in our NSI program said to me not long ago, “Ms. Jenn your positions are like the book ends to The WellHouse. You see and welcome us when we first get here and you’re at the end to walk us through our next steps.” That statement has stuck in my mind as a reminder of what an AWESOME God we serve. What a privilege He has given each one of us who work and serve here.
Read MoreWe are so appreciative of the many churches, clubs and organizations that have rallied around The WellHouse to help with facilities projects on our campus. This Spring we had seven different groups join us, adding up to nearly 100 volunteers. They tackled tasks such as staining, updating signage, picking up trash, attic organizing, pressure washing, deep cleaning and clothes sorting. We are so grateful for the many hands that made light work!
Read MoreMy life before coming to The WellHouse was a constant tornado spinning out of control. I was buried alive in brokenness and loneliness. I had lost all hope and was living in complete darkness. I was living on the hood of an abandoned car in the middle of my hometown. I was running from an abuser, a trafficker, and honestly, I was running from myself.
Read MoreFor so long my hands felt dirty, even angry, after years of being trafficked. They were forced to participate in unmentionable acts and carried the scars, visible and invisible, of those regrets. Even after being set free, everything I did was still tainted by the memories of the past. There was no pride in what I accomplished, somehow my history still overshadowed the present.
Read MoreI often get asked what our success rate is like at The WellHouse. This is such a difficult question to answer! Who or what defines success? In the realm of residential living offering an array of pertinent services, does success come when boxes are checked indicating a year of programming completed, or is it as simple as a survivor remaining even one night on our campus escaping multiple sexual assaults that she would have typically experienced out in the world?
Read MoreThis May, I will celebrate four years of working with The WellHouse. Something the Lord has been showing me recently is the act of remembering. The Hebrew word used when the people of God were told to remember in the Old Testament is zakhar. This word conveys more than looking back; it is recalling and remembering that propels and encourages us to move forward in faith. Therefore, I want to recall some of God's moves on the WellHouse campus.
Read MoreOver the course of the past few months, we have had intakes for 9 women. They are from Utah, Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, and Florida. We have seen their stories range from childhood sexual abuse, addiction, and grooming. One of the most common ways the women were trafficked started with a history of abuse and a lack of real love leading them to be vulnerable to traffickers' offers of love.
Read More2024 has been off to a great start, and much of that is credited to our wonderful volunteers! Over the past few months, 20 people have joined our Volunteer Team, and several of those individuals have jumped right in! New or old, we are so grateful for the many hands and feet of Jesus that support this mission through serving.
Read MoreBefore coming to The WellHouse I knew about God, but I didn’t have a relationship with Him, and that’s the biggest treasure I’ve gained while being here. I dove into the Word and the program, and through them God taught me that I am a daughter of the most high King and to wear my crown. He paid the price, I’m forgiven, and the shame and guilt are cast as far as East is from the West. I’m worth it. My past doesn’t define my future. I have a purpose for my life, and it is God-ordained.
Read MoreMy trafficking experience did not happen in seclusion or hidden away. I was right alongside my blissfully unaware peers and unknowing teachers. I would be sold at night and expected to continue with my scheduled routine the next day, putting on the childhood “normal” along with my school clothes. Perhaps if the adults in my life knew what to look for, I would have been free sooner.
Read MoreIt was an incredible 2023! As we were focused on The WellHouse mission that includes honoring God as we assist in the recovery of sex trafficking victims and offer meaningful restoration services, we were continually humbled at God’s amazing protection and provision. There is simply no other explanation! This year, more than ever, we have come to realize that all of us are better than one of us.
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