Dallas County Living Well Magazine November/December 2016 | Page 21

“We prayed someone would donate a house. But who donates a house?” Jowers says. “It was in excellent condition: fully furnished, a safe place with a washer, dryer, lawn mower and a refrigerator,” Jowers says. In April 2015, Jowers, volunteers, and the organization’s board began planning fundraisers for a safe house. Halfway through the month, before any fundraisers were announced, gifts started coming in. “Before I could even step out in faith, God affirmed our work,” Jowers says. “It was as if He said, ‘I’ve got this. This is my work. You just have to show up.’” At first, Jowers assumed the woman intended to sell or rent the home to Poiema. She was wrong. “It’s going to be your house,” the woman replied. “I am giving it to Poiema.” In June, fundraising took a surprising twist when Jowers was invited to speak at a women’s Sunday school class at a church in Frisco, Texas. Lunch at a restaurant afterward found Jowers answering questions about Poiema and the safe house idea at a table of eight with the friend who had invited her to speak. As they left the restaurant, one of the ladies told Jowers, “I think you may be the answer to my prayers.” She had a home in Texas she no longer needed and offered its use for free. The woman said she had been in the church service asking God what to do with her house. Jowers, dumbfounded, arranged to meet the woman at her Dallas-area home. Jowers, shocked, realized she had forgotten to ask the donor what the balance of the house note might be. She texted the lady, who texted back, “Paid in full. Don’t you love those words Jesus gave us?” Why the name Poiema? “Poiema” is a Greek word found in Ephesians 2:10, which states, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” The word “poiema” is translated as “handiwork” or “workmanship.” God intimately and lovingly creates each person, and he cherishes every person as a precious work of art. Sadly, women and children in the sex industry believe they have no value or self-worth. But regardless of how they feel, the truth is they are God’s workmanship. They are custom-designed by the Master’s hand to do good works. The Poiema Foundation hopes to reach these victims and share the love of Christ and the good news that they have value and self-worth because they are intimately created by a loving Creator. To learn more about Poiema or find additional resources, visit www.poiemafoundation.org. Connect with Michelle at www.HandofTheKing.com.