Beauty Out of Ashes

RECORD YEAR

Beauty Out of Ashes BY FOUNDER, KRISTEN WELCH

On January 24, 2021, a fire burned down one of our three maternity homes in Kenya where nine girls and nine babies live, along with staff. Although this was a devastating way to begin a new year, we are forever grateful to God that all lives were spared.

The only wall left standing in the ashes, untouched by the flames, held two framed prints that read: “He makes beauty out of ashes —Isaiah 61:3” and “It is well with my soul,” both powerful messages from our Heavenly Father.

We trusted His promises to redeem what had been lost, to take the ashes, the destruction, the loss, and to make it beautiful. Until then, it is well with our souls.

We are so thankful to God for His protection. No one was harmed and all moms, babies, and staff were able to escape. This has been a holy recovery story as we have witnessed God turning our ashes into something beautiful.

A few hours after the fire, the girls and staff were still among the smoking ashes — praising and praying and thanking God for sparing their lives. We spent the seven days after the fire in prayer and fasting in gratitude to God.

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We experienced unprecedented generosity and raised more than a half a million dollars in the eight weeks following the fire. Within three months of the fire, we found a new home to lease as we continue to save money to purchase a permanent one.

Peace. It’s what every teen mom who comes to Rehema House in Kenya seeks: Peace from the sometimes violent and often tumultuous story they have endured, peace from the trauma that has produced a baby in their bellies, peace from constant hunger pangs and fear of the future, peace that only Jesus can bring.

I don’t know what kind of dumpster fire you’re facing in your life right now, but I believe the message God has given Mercy House Global is the same for everyone who is in the fire. “I am with you. I will make all things new. Hold on to Me. If you have Me, you have everything you need.”

Not only have we witnessed God in a new and personal way through this tragedy, but we know of at least two people who have decided to accept Christ into their lives because of it. God truly is a miracle worker.

This is a “to be continued” story as we seek God in 2022 to finish raising funds for a permanent beauty out of ashes home.