i have a DREAM...

I have a dream. It’s been a dream of mine for a long time now. The dream in simple words is for us to have a home out in the countryside of Hamburg where we would live, but that it would be big enough to house women coming out of prostitution. They would live with us for a season of their lives as they come to know Jesus…as they learn how to live…and as they learn how to be loved appropriately.

Dream with me.

I dream of a home out in the countryside of Hamburg. It’s important to get the women out of the city, out of the streets that they have known so well and so intimately. Out of temptation’s range--to the countryside: the beautiful, flat countryside of Hamburg with its green and life…forests and wildflowers…colors of nature that heal the soul. Horizons of hope for the lost and weary. I have seen this countryside--it brings joy to my soul and sometimes this is what weary souls need--to be brought out into God’s Country in order to fully meet Him...where all noise and distractions cease and where His voice speaks ever so gently yet clearly.

I dream of a vast and spacious area of land where the eye would be free to roam as far as it could see…that these eyes would not feel trapped here but would breathe in a sigh of relief at this land’s greatness and beauty. I dream that the land and nature alone would be used by the hand of God in itself to bring healing to such deep places of woundedness that no human hand could ever touch.

I dream of a home. Not just a house to share, but a home. Our home, our family. Our distinct personalities, our love of Christ and our real imperfections.

A home...saying

Welcome
We have been waiting for your arrival
You are home
Welcome
Relax
Breathe
Rest
Live.
Live with us,
love with us,
serve with us,
learn with us,
just be you with us
and we will be us with you.

I dream that this home would be big enough for our family of four but bigger still to welcome every woman that the Lord would bring our way. I dream that it could almost be like two homes in one—that we could have our own private quarters (as it’s important at times to just be alone as a family) and yet we could also have many rooms for the women and a common area where we could all eat and spend time with one another.

I dream of pretty rooms for the women. Not fancy but pretty enough where the women would feel treasured yet would instantly feel at home. I dream of fresh flowers on each bedside table and of sweet chocolates placed on each pillow at night. And I dream that every woman could have a view of the countryside from her window so at that times when she feels sad or lonesome, or like giving up all together, that she could look out her window and be encouraged and grateful for the place God has brought her.

I dream of a home that would be
A place of refuge but a place of purpose.
A place of healing and restoration.
A place that restores dignity and self worth.
A place where the Father resides and
where His love reigns mightily.

I dream.