The word "healing" totally caught my attention from the very first meeting with the guests who were at Mary’s Guest House. During my welcome dinner, a staff asked one of the guests: "How are you today?" She had just finished the first therapy session that day, after about three minutes of breathing, she shared that she was absolutely drained and shaken. Her body expression was even stronger than what she said, as she kept squeezing her fingers over and over again. It is undoubtedly difficult and often painful to look back on one's past, especially when they did not choose it. And if we want that healing to happen for every guest, it takes time. I realized at that moment that ministering at Mary’s Guest House would not be easy at all.

Mary's Guest House trip to San Diego County Fair 2022.

Obviously, time has shown me the challenges involved in the healing process. Each guest is completely broken and still living through the consequences of her experience. The woundedness does not heal as quickly as I would hope, it takes time. The trauma causes some to self-harm while others feel guilty and blame themselves for what happened to them. All of this shows me the depth of their vulnerability and how their past can be a real block in the healing process. Seeing the suffering intensity in the guests made me realize that healing does not happen overnight, and some are not at a readiness point for healing to take place. I feel I can only entrust them to God as I walk with them on this journey, always ready to listen and give my support until the healing process begins.