Fall 2020 Newsletter
80 Women have called the Safe House their Home
Hello, Dear Friends and Supporters of Terebinth Refuge,
As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving in our home, we remember all the things we are thankful for this year. Our gratitude overflows.
When I reflect on all that God has done for Terebinth Refuge, I am in awe! Yet, this is the nature of our God. He is awesome! From the beginning, Terebinth Refuge has been His plan, so of course He would do a wonderous and good work.
God calls for unity amongst his children and I am impressed with how much is accomplished when we work together toward the same goal of offering hope, healing, and freedom to sexually exploited and trafficked women. I experience that unity every day as I encounter staff, volunteers, donors, collaborative partners, service providers, businesses, churches—all working together to provide healing in the lives of the women we serve. When we work together, we greatly multiply our results. That is why I am so thankful for each of you!
I am truly grateful that Terebinth Refuge has finally put down roots—and so appreciative to our community partners who made that happen. The City of Waite Park provided temporary housing rent free for over two years. They went on to facilitate a partnership with Martin Marietta who purchased the house and is now leasing it back to us at no charge! We have gone from ‘house’ to home and don’t have to add anxiety or trauma to the lives of our residents by moving.
We are blessed by the thoughtful gifting of a small home business from our volunteer/ supporter, Kim Gregoire, to help Terebinth Refuge expand our Employment Readiness program with a social enterprise. By working in this venture, women will have the opportunity to develop transferrable job skills while still in the safety of Terebinth Refuge. This will better prepare them for future employment with local business.
We are grateful for these things and many more. The staff and I at Terebinth Refuge look to the future with much hope as we work with you to provide excellence in service for the many women we will serve. We anticipate God’s good plans in the years to come! Thank you ALL for joining us in this important work.
Together in Love, Purpose & Unity,
Cynthia (CeCe) Terlouw
Founder and Executive Director