Once my new friend was dropped off at the airport last Monday, my professor and I were headed to participate in a workshop hosted by our friends at Thistle Farms and Magdalene House. Magdalene House is a thriving housing program for women and Thistle Farms is the name of their social enterprise. Thistle Farm products (lotions, lip balms, soaps, other care products, notebooks, bookmarks, etc) are all hand produced by the residents as a way for them to establish skills and earn a living as they transition into healing lives. I have been familiar with this organization and social enterprise for about a year and have established a relationship with one of the graduates, that I am very thankful for - all of this is because End Slavery Tennessee partners with them in many different ways. But there was a particular reason that encouraged my professor and I to participate in their workshop.
My professor, along with a good friend of mine, Natalie, are both very passionate about opening a program similar to the Magdalene House in West Tennessee. I introduced them to each other a few months ago and since they have been praying, learning and planning! I would not consider myself a direct influence on this project, but rather my part is to advise when needed, as someone who is familiar (but not an expert!) with organizational leadership, administration and the realms of human trafficking - if that is the direction they plan to take. I also have this pretty amazing woman who provides me with wisdom and always answers my questions, so that I may share that with others. She's been playing the game for a long time and I think she knows who she is if reading this.
So through this journey we were led to attend the workshop and learn more about the functioning of the housing program and the development of a social enterprise. I was interested in this to gain knowledge to help my friends succeed, of course - but I was really looking forward to being behind the scenes for the first time as well! I had no idea that what would be most memorable to me actually had nothing to do with housing plans or social enterprise.
Current residents and program graduates welcomed us with kindness and hospitality, and many shared their testimonies throughout the day. We were given a tour of both the main house and the "factory" where the women make the products. We also heard from both Execs, Becca Stevens and Cary Rayson about both Thistle and Magdalene. They were open books, honest about everything and willing to answer any question or provide you with any information, such as financial information, to take away. Cary Rayson shared that the reason they do this is because they believe in community. If you have an idea and you try to keep it your own, then it will just always be your idea and it will always be tiny. So basically, everyone coming to the workshop has a common goal, so rather than doing things pridefully - let's join forces and get this knocked out together - more effectively and holistically!
The entire workshop was an outstanding experience that I am very thankful for! I gained much knowledge and met outstanding new friends. What I really want to leave you with though, is simply sharing with you the love and hospitality that I received on this day. When we first arrived, we were graciously welcomed and treated with such profound hospitality. We sat in a circle and each person shared what had brought them to that very moment. The women from Thistle Farms and/or Magdalene House shared with us their testimonies of lives no adjective can adequately describe, but I'll just say of really tough and painful lives. These women outwardly and joyfully praised God while exposing their most tainted moments and darkest secrets. When we visited their homes, they were most thankful ...for what seems to us as such simplicity. One woman stood in the kitchen and expressed how when she came to Magdalene House, she was so grateful just be able to have a fork and a plate to eat her food off of. Others glowed in joy while explaining how they were empowered, regaining their dignity by just being given their own key - trust. Most were thankful just to receive a bed to rest in.
Count your blessings each day.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Jesus Christ. - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
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