Love Made Me Forget My Scars

One night, Ayantu’s husband attacked her in her sleep, throwing acid on her face and arms. He faced no legal consequences, and Ayantu was forced to flee her home country in search of safety, leaving her two small children with her mother. Visible scars on her face, neck, and arms left her feeling ashamed and afraid of how others would react to her scars when they encountered her.

When she moved into Jonathan House, the other residents welcomed her with open arms. A faithful volunteer dropped by with a gift bag and another friendly embrace. Ayantu was moved to tears by this warm reception to her new home.

Later that day, when staff thanked the volunteer, the woman responded, “You are sooo welcome! It was nice to meet her…I had tears in my eyes as I drove home. Thank you for what you do, allowing us to walk alongside these dear children of God.”

“They made me forget my scars.”

A few days later, Ayantu joined her first community meal, where members of the community are invited to join Jonathan House staff and residents for brunch. She arrived wearing a face mask, but partway through the brunch, she removed it. Afterwards, she commented, “They made me forget my scars. I could feel that everybody there loved each other.”

As the months passed, Ayantu took English classes and began to learn the new language rapidly, even helping translate for her housemates with less language acquisition. She has formed strong bonds with the other residents and the staff at Jonathan House. She recently underwent surgery at Mayo, and continues to exhibit joy and hope through her smile and generous spirit.

“Coming to Jonathan House has changed my life.”

When she speaks of her time at Jonathan House, she says, “I feel an indescribable peace when I am at home [Jonathan House]…Though there are things that stress me out, I feel that I am able to find joy and purpose in my life. I feel that I have created a family here where I have love and support…Wherever I go, I feel that I have the confidence to say that I have a home that I can go to. Coming to Jonathan House has changed my life... Before coming here, I used to regret living life, and now I’m loving life, because of the love you show me.”

Our financial partners and volunteers make it possible for the ministry of Jonathan House to welcome Ayantu and help her find shelter, hope, and healing, as she begins to rebuild her life in the US.

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