I saw true beauty on our Inside Out project. HIM (Hairdressers In the Marketplace) simultaneously hosted ‘Day Of Beauty’ events in each of the four Willow neighborhoods. We needed to find four Salon/Spas willing to open their doors on a Sunday for six hours and allow volunteers to come in and serve women who have fallen on hard times. We also needed to find four organizations designed to work with these women on a longer term basis. We needed to recruit volunteers and community support - and we only had two months to bring it all together.
While I knew the goal was admirable, I also felt the task was overwhelming. I knew that in my own strength it would be impossible to accomplish all that, so with much prayer I leaned on the strength of God with confidence that He would go ahead and provide for our needs. And provide He did, bringing together these four communities to take care of and show His love to 54 women who so desperately needed to know their lives mattered.
At each site the blessings were abundant. Restaurants and bakeries donated complimentary pastries and luncheons. Clients from all four salons donated clothes, jewelry, shoes and handbags for a complimentary boutique. A bank in Crystal Lake gave $50 savings bonds to each lady. Carson’s, Hobby Lobby, and Mary Kay Cosmetics, just to mention a few, gave beautiful gifts. It was a tremendous example of communities coming together to show their support and God’s love to these women.
The women received new hair styles, manicures and make-up applications. Most of these women had never been in a salon before. At the Elgin location, two women were an hour and a half late because when they drove past the salon and saw how beautiful it was, it was they thought, “That can’t be the place!” They continued driving until they were no longer in Elgin, only to discover when they called for directions that the big, beautiful salon was in fact where they were invited!
As I drove from salon to salon that day, I was reminded of my prayer. God had truly gone before us and prepared the way. The highlight for me was at the end of the day. I entered the Elgin Salon and noticed the team leader, Naomi Lacheta, off to the side with one of the guests. I know Naomi; she’s always looking for the one lost sheep! The woman had approached her and started sharing her hardships and her struggle with considering suicide. She was very touched by the Day of Beauty and expressed gratitude at how she was treated that day. It gave her a sense of hope. Naomi prayed with this woman to ask Jesus to become her counselor and hope. Now He will never leave that precious found sheep!
The Neighborhood Day of Beauty was a tremendous success, thanks to the participation of 85 volunteers, four Salon/Spas, eight restaurants, one bank, clientele from each salon and vendors, all who came together for six hours to become the body of Christ. “WITH GOD, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.”
Teresa Russo-Cox
Director of HIM (Hairdressers In the Marketplace)
