The First Week...
I was a very scared mom, trying to escape domestic violence. My abuser had tracked my location and I now needed a safe place for me and my children. I tried shelter after shelter. One that I found said they had room for me. After 3 hours on the phone with them, answering their questions, and going into a lot of detail about the abuse I went through, they told me they couldn't take us in.
I was devastated and frustrated with the system. I felt like no one cared. Shelter after shelter told me they couldn't take me in or they were full. Some said they could only help in emergency situations and my situation wasn't serious enough. I was exhausted, extremely upset with the process and angry because I was trying to do the right thing.
Then after 7 days of calling almost 20 shelters. I called the National Domestic Violence hotline. The man heard my frustration and encouraged me not to give up, and that there would be an opening at the right shelter for me. He also encouraged me to keep pressing the issue that I needed safety. Then he provided me with numbers and the first number was the Sheepfold. I called and spoke with a woman. She told me that there was room and it would take a few days to go through the intake process. I did get impatient in my heart and had second thoughts about even going there, because of the rules and expectations. But the intake person was very understanding and open to hearing my concerns and she explained the reasoning behind the structure in the shelter.
I am here now and extremely glad to be here. God has honestly confirmed things over and over for me, letting me know that this is the place I need to be. I'm going to be honest — I am terrified at some of the huge decisions I must make. But the staff here is so nice, prayerful and encourage me to trust God, and in the process, because He would not bring me to this place just to let bad things come to us. Everyday I practice changing my thinking and letting God renew my mind and heart. I am so thankful for this ministry — so glad that God led me here.
- Sheepfold Mom