The spirit of the season was alive during the seventh annual Christmas Banquet that was held at the Oak Harbor Club to benefit the Women’s Refuge Residential Program.
The faith-based nonprofit was founded in 1997 by Ted and Donna Lee Robart to help those experiencing emotional, mental and spiritual difficulties. The Refuge provides a Christian residential program for women through biblical counseling and support groups.
Comparing gardening to the nurturing of the women who need their services, Diane Ludwig, executive director of the Refuge, said there is a similarity between “planting seeds and pouring living water into souls.”
“It takes time to see the results of our labor for those we minister to. It took 25 years of patience to see it bloom,” said Ludwig.
“And here we are, 27 years later, still faithfully pouring the living water of God’s word into so many souls and seeing the fruit of new life. Lives that have been positively impacted by the biblical counseling received at the Women’s Refuge. We are a center for restoration, counseling and training.”
Ludwig explained that the live-in program is for women who are challenged with depression, anxiety, trauma and broken relationships. At the Refuge, she said, they are offered hope through a peaceful and safe home environment, a structured biblical curriculum, regular counseling and interactive support groups.
“We are not a homeless shelter, a medical facility or a crisis center, but we’re fortunate to have those resources in our community that we can refer them to. We offer respite and restoration for those who are serious about getting well,” said Ludwig.
This year’s keynote speaker was Leah Simpson, a podcast host and published author, whose mother, Aloha Vance, was a resident of the Women’s Refuge live-in program for four months almost 20 years ago.
Simpson shared some insight into how her mother’s participation in the program impacted her family, explaining that Vance had struggled with stress, anxiety and depression for 10 years.
“She had no peace. She lost all desire to live,” recalled Simpson, adding that her mother’s desperation spiraled into psychotic episodes.
After her time at the Refuge, Simpson said her mother had returned to “her happy, vibrant self,” and went on to counsel countless other people.
“The Refuge played a part in the lives of countless people that my mother counseled through Abundant Grace,” added Simpson, referencing the center where her mother volunteered.
For more information, visit WomensRefugeVB.org.
