Danger Zone

Wisdom teaches us to flea danger; to get away from it while you can.

Shannon isn’t her real name and you won’t see a picture of her or her children in this blog. It’s too dangerous to identify her on social media–for her safety she must remain anonymous.  

Shannon’s story is all too common… a woman who is suffering mental and physical abuse at the hand her own husband. This is evil! Wisdom says to “run” but that’s never the easiest option. It takes a brave woman to exercise that wisdom. 

Shannon finally exercised wisdom and got herself, and her children, out of a domestic violence situation. It was a long process trying to survive on the run. She is very grateful for the numerous social organizations that helped her piece a journey to freedom and safety. Eventually she was rescued by the San Fernando Mission where she found safety and the time to get her life back together. 

Shannon took many classes about domestic violence, parenting, handling finances, etc. Shannon got a solid job as a produce manager at Whole Foods. She started a second job moving estate sales items online. She put all her efforts into healing and helping her children. She recently felt emotionally and mentally healthy enough to move out of the mission into an apartment with her children.  

One of our Deed & Truth House2home teams felt privileged to help this single mother and her children move into her own apartment. As usual, we gathered furniture, furnishings, art, and décor from dozens of generous donors to assemble a beautiful space for them to call home.

Her son was so enthusiastic to see his room. His face lit up as soon as he opened the door to his room. His sister was emotionally moved to see her “pretty in pink” room of her own. And all of us who volunteered sensed a feeling of peace and joy to hear her recovery story and the gratitude they all had in their hearts for people who were willing to help her end her journey of homelessness to have a fully furnished place of her own.

Pray for Shannon as she needs a car. Currently she gets to work with public transportation. She is a very good saver and has a financial plan to get a vehicle “down the road” but it will take time. Her son asked for us to pray that he would find good, reliable friends to hang out with in this new school. Her daughter wanted to really focus on getting good grades in high school.

Please pray also, for the many unnamed, desperate women out there in our communities who are feeling trapped in abusive situations. Pray that they will have the wisdom, courage, and opportunity to get out of these dangerous relationships, knowing how difficult that journey will become.  

If you, or someone you know, is in an abusive situation we encourage you to contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-7233.