The Mission
Throughout life, we are impacted by our experiences. My first trip through Europe after college was with a backpack and a Eurail Pass. Decades later I returned with a purpose; to work with refugees who had witnessed unspeakable horrors. Initially, my focus was on providing trauma-based counseling and emotional support for those who had survived treacherous crossings and now found themselves trapped in a refugee camp. However, during this time, I was approached by staff members of the camp requesting an opportunity to receive counseling themselves. While they had been acting as translators and observing the counseling exercises, they found themselves resonating with the material, not realizing that they had been under the weight of “secondary trauma” through their close work with those individuals.
Similar requests arose while working with The Smiles Foundation to serve the Romani population. According to their mission, the primary focus is to offer poverty relief and the advancement of education. While working with the organization, requests came from their staff and local organizations to receive counseling for themselves.
By the time I worked with Courage House in Tanzania, a long-term trauma-informed therapeutic residential home for minor female victims of sex trafficking, I became convinced that a more effective use of my knowledge and abilities would be to hold up the arms of those in the field who are doing the work day after day after day. Secondary trauma, depression, and isolation, among other issues are all very real experiences of those who are willing to work closely with underserved populations. Understandably, this can lead many to experience burn-out, despite their sincere desire to continue their work.
Seaside Chapel in Mytilene, Greece
These same issues are occurring in our mission fields as well. Refugees often seek the help of nearby churches as they flee from war-torn countries. Missionaries also experience a variety of stressors unique to their calling but often have difficulty finding an appropriate counselor in the country in which they are serving. That’s why I maintain my counseling relationship with these missionaries even after I’ve returned home. My sons and husband are Pastors and/or First Responders who frequently find themselves assisting people in their darkest hours. Such work is not for the faint of heart and it’s imperative that we show tangible appreciation for the work they do through provision for their personal and emotional needs. I invest myself in these efforts because I believe in healing, I believe in restored relationships, and I believe in a brighter future and a flourishing life for those who courageously seek help.
Malaga, Spain
Breaktime between conference sessions
Small-group discussions following presentations
Built in 1923 and recently restored, the Casa Diocesana de Espiritualidad has been described as a place to encounter God. It is a place of retreat where one has the opportunity to pray and contemplate God's greatness, and to experience spiritual renewal. It is no wonder that Communitas International selected this location to invite their missionaries for fellowship, inspiration and retreat. As part of Communitas' commitment to Staff care, I meet with numerous individuals to hear their stories and offer counseling. The concerns and challenges of those in the mission field vary greatly and I was honored to be used by God to encourage them along the way.
My call to Yabucoa, Puerto Rico came through the Green Cross Academy of Traumatology (GCAT). That region had recently experienced back-to-back hurricanes and a volunteer-based disaster relief organization called “All Hands & Hearts” was seeking training and treatment specific to the secondary trauma and compassion fatigue which was understandably prevalent among their volunteers and staff. Individuals with the heart and willingness to assist people in great need often don’t take into account the toll of continuously hearing stories of pain and loss expressed by those whose houses they are rebuilding. By coming alongside those volunteers the goal was to provide renewed strength and teach new tools with which to process their own emotions, thus enabling them to remain in the field assisting those impacted by the storms.
Yabucoa, Puerto Rico
All Hands & Hearts volunteer relief worker break area..
%20Training%20Center%20where%20volunteers%20were%20taught%20recognition%20and%20skills%20for%20compassi.jpg)
Training Center where volunteers were taught recognition and skills for compassion fatigue.
Lesvos Island, Greece
Abandoned life jackets and other floating devices used by refugees to cross the Aegean Sea.
In many ways Lesvos Island, Greece (specifically Camp Moria) is the “Ellis Island” of Western Europe for processing the influx of refugees from the middle east. After horrific exploitation from “coyotes” falsely promising safe passage for exorbitant prices and traumatizing experiences along the way including loss of life, these refugees finally reach European soil. At that point they are devastated to find themselves detained in grossly inadequate encampments while awaiting processing and paperwork that can take up to two years to process! Through my role with Communitas International I worked at Camp Moria in the adjoining center where women and their children could spend their days free of the harassment and dangers found within the encampment. Challenges ran from addressing the trauma of their having lost loved ones in the journey, to tensions within the center as women from warring countries found themselves in close proximity to their enemies, yet united in common need.
“Courage Worldwide” has operated survivor/trauma-informed safe houses in Moshi, Tanzania since 2010. Through their awareness of Dr. Benjamin Keyes’ work (Exec.Dir. GCAT) he was invited to bring CTRS students fulfilling their certification requirements to address the traumas experienced by trafficked survivors living in their safe-house. Subsequently, I was given the opportunity to travel with them in a supervisory capacity. In addition to working directly with the Courage House population, there were several requests for specialized trainings throughout the region. These ranged greatly from missions organizations, medical schools, social agencies, seminaries and local schools to private audiences. It was a busy schedule with long hours, often involving two speaking/training engagements each day. The culmination of this trip was the opportunity to attend Tanzania’s recognition of the “World Day Against Trafficking in Persons”.
Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Med School freshman class learning about the signs and long-term implications of trauma.
Staff and volunteers for Courage Worldwide, rescuing and restoring survivors of Human Trafficking
Cehei, Romania
Making house calls to support those who can’t travel to community centers for assistance.
%20Group%20room%20in%20a%20mental%20health%20hospital%20established%20for%20those%20whose%20families.jpg)
Group rooms in a mental health hospital were established for those whose families cannot care for them.
“The Smiles Foundation” is a growing Christian charity which serves the people of Romania in many capacities. CEO and Founder Kevin Hoy reached out to the Center for Trauma and Resiliency Studies (CTRS) to arrange for counseling for the Romani people as well as to provide education for local agencies on how to recognize and treat victims of trauma. Work with the Romani people focused on matters of domestic violence and the exploitation of children as shills or as child brides. Instruction was provided for those working with developmentally disabled populations, schools for autism, early childhood education centers and mental health facilities. Additionally, Q&A sessions were held with local mental health providers to address behaviors they were observing in their clients as the first post-war generation raised by parents who were themselves deeply impacted by war.
Inspired by communities of ecumenical Christian faith around Europe, Ray Davey founded The Corrymeela Community in 1965 as a way of building a more peaceful Northern Ireland. For nearly 60 years Corrymeela has celebrated numerous milestone events toward the furtherance of unity and peace across all factions. It was in this setting that Communitas International offered a Soul Care Retreat to their missionaries and teams as part of their commitment to caring for their people by providing opportunities for growth, introspection and rest. As part of their care, counseling and/or Spiritual Direction was offered to those who chose to avail themselves of it. I was honored to meet with several wonderful servants of Christ and am continuing to meet with some on a regular basis through online sessions.
Ballycastle, Ireland
Corrymeela Retreat Center: Met with missionaries at a Soul Care Retreat as part of their Staff, Care & Development Team
One of several spots for meditation between sessions.