Finish the Delight House Campaign

Going into the first Delight retreat in 2012 – I’ll just be honest – I was pretty clueless. I hosted the first retreat out of obedience to what I felt God calling me to do. I would soon realize my own naivety, being that I was completely sheltered and unprepared for what these girls would come bearing. Have you ever had your heart just broken? I don’t just mean theoretically, but a genuine, physical ache of your heart? I’m talking about the kind of heartbreak that isn’t just about yourself, but about loving and caring for someone else.

At the 2013 retreat, my eyes were opened wide to this kind of hurt, and the realities of the day and age that we live in. We had girls attending that were dealing with everything from sexual abuse, bullying, eating disorders, suicide; to girls who had lost parents, were dealing with grief and depression, self-harming, panic and anxiety attacks. You name it, and it was represented.

Something that shocked me to discover is that there are 5,400 suicide attempts every single day with teens between the ages of 13-19 years. That means that more teenagers and young adults die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza, and chronic lung disease, COMBINED. This is just staggering!

Truthfully, in the beginning, starting Delight was a shaky step of obedience for me; saying yes to where I felt God leading. However, over the years, it has grown into something so much more. The lyrics “break my heart for what breaks YOURS” ring so true in my life and have essentially become my motto since returning from that 2013 retreat. It sums up so well my WHY – why it is that I do what I do. I truly love each and every one of these girls, and whole-heartedly want to do everything I can to come alongside them to support, love, and inspire them.

I drove by a sign early in the process of tearing down the walls of the Delight House. It read, “Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity, but in doing it.” This is something that I have really tried to remember when the process seems to go on and on. The evidence of God’s faithfulness in the journey of building the Delight House has just been amazing to see. Even down to the contractor, who has put his heart into every detail of the house, and who I truly think loves it as much as I do! It has brought him so much joy knowing that his hard work and creativity are going towards blessing so many in the future. And as much as I, myself, have found joy in this journey, I am ready to turns my attentions towards the true purpose of the Delight house!

When the Delight House was given to us back in December of 2013, I knew that with it came a huge responsibility and a lot of work for the future. But I honestly had no idea all that it would entail. Truthfully, the most difficult part of this journey for me has been trusting that God will provide financially. For me to remember that this house is HIS, and that He has a beautiful and perfect plan for every single young lady who walks through our doors. We are so close to completion of the Delight House, but we can’t do it without financial support. Up to present-day, the house is completely debt-free. However, with the current financial situation, two weeks ago I had to go to the bank to discuss a possible loan. While there, both my husband and I felt God clearly steering us away from this.

Our dream is to have the house completed and ready to go by July. We have prayed about this so much and feel led to host a fundraiser in order for Delight House to be completed. We are estimating about $30,000 to get it completely ready for the girls to come. During the month of April, our prayer is to raise half of this – $15,000 in 30 days. If 500 people gave $1 a day this month, we’d be able to meet our goal!

In order to complete the house, we still have the following to do:

Fireplace
Insulation
Countertops
Appliances installed
Gas line put in for stovetop
Tile work
Exterior siding completed
Exterior siding painted
Front porch
Decking
Driveway/landscaping
ENTIRE HOUSE FURNISHED!

Today, I am writing for them. For these precious young ladies who need to be loved, cherished, inspired, and encouraged. For these beautiful souls that need to be showered with truth, hope, and healing from their past. Today, we are asking that during the month of April, you will rally with us! Please join us in prayer and financial support to get the house completed, and stand beside us in supporting Delight and investing in the future of these young women! We know that God is going to do some amazing things through Delight, and ask that you please pray, give, and share our mission!

Please CLICK HERE to Donate!!