Jeanine Harris, Donna Robard, Rebekah Lyons, Diane Ludwig. [Photo: Denise Ritchie]

Messages of hope, joy, love and healing were eloquently delivered by staff, volunteers and special guest speaker Rebekah Lyons at the second annual Christmas Banquet to benefit the Women’s Refuge of Vero Beach.

Nearly 300 guests gathered at the Oak Harbor Club, where they enjoyed a delicious dinner and inspirational music by choir members of the Calvary Chapel Fellowship in St. Petersburg and the Calvary Chapel in Vero Beach.

Lyons, a mother of four, is the bestselling author of “You are Free, Freefall to Fly” and “Rhythms of Renewal.” She shared her own personal journey of dealing with depression and anxiety before being renewed after a complete surrender to God.

“God has a plan for us before we are even born, and He will put people and events in our paths to remind us who we are and what we are destined to do,” said Lyons. “My first lesson was when I was told that my first-born child had Down syndrome. After being thrown into a world of coping with a special needs child, I clearly saw what unconditional love was all about.”

After having another son and daughter, she thought her family was complete. But, she said, God had another plan. The couple learned of and adopted a beautiful Down syndrome daughter from China.

“Now we have Down syndrome bookends, and they bring so much joy into our lives,” said Lyons with enthusiasm.

Lyons shared her most intimate struggles with such severe panic attacks that she was homebound and afraid to fly, drive or even ride in an elevator. She spelled out the four simple rhythms that have helped her find inner peace: rest, restore, connect and breathe.

Her message blended perfectly with the mission of Women’s Refuge to provide a live-in Christian program where emotionally and spiritually wounded women and families can find sanctuary through biblical counseling in residential and community outreach programs.

“I actually got the calling from God to open a women’s sanctuary in 1972 but it took me 25 years to actually do it,” chuckled Donna Robart, who founded the organization in 1997. “But since it took Moses 40 years, I guess it’s not so bad. We have seven counselors and all of our teachings are based on Christ and scripture.”

Carol Lopez, their new finance director, is a true testament to the program. In addition to her new job, Lopez is working on completing a counseling program to be able to assist Hispanics in their native language.

“I just finished my two-year program with the refuge,” said Lopez. “I was overcome with grief and anxiety, as my mother had just been diagnosed with metastasized breast cancer and I had lost two children to tragic accidents. I was lost and terrified. The Women’s Refuge nursed me through the grief and pain and, through the teachings of Christ, I have found new direction and joy in my life.”

For more information, visit womensrefugevb.org.