I first met Tina at a Bible Study in the community where we lived. She was joyful, energetic, and her love of the Lord was evident. We didn’t have a lot of time to visit with one another during the study, and that was frustrating to me. I wanted to get to know her!
One evening Tina wasn’t at the study, and some devastating news was shared with the group. Her parents had been murdered. She had gone to the northern state where they had lived, to her childhood home, to be with her brothers and sister. Apparently, their house had been randomly targeted by a homeless man. It didn’t make sense, and it still doesn’t.
A few weeks later, she returned to the study. Eventually I got to know her, and we became good friends. As our friendship grew, she shared with me that the authorities had caught the man who had killed her parents, and he was in jail awaiting trial. I was fascinated when she told me she planned to write him a letter after the trial. She wanted to tell him she knew all he had done and because of God’s power in her and what Jesus had done for her, she was able to extend forgiveness to him.
But then he killed himself in prison. Though it would have been difficult to go through, there would be no trial, no opportunity to see him and perhaps obtain some closure to the horrendous thing he had done to her family. And the letter would not be written.
Through this tragedy, as well as other traumas in her life, God has given Tina a ministry to women who have experienced trauma. For over 10 years, she has led groups for women who have had traumatic experiences. Many women have been helped and supported while they dealt with their personal tragedies.
Her recently published book, Living in Freedom : A Biblical Road Map for Navigating Life’s Pain,* talks about her journey dealing with the death of her parents, and it also has stories of other women who have dealt with their own traumatic experiences. One statement written by a colleague of hers sums it up well: “Tina herself knows tragedy, but she also knows Jesus and the hope, healing, and freedom only He can provide.”
“In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and he answered by setting me free.” (Psalm 118:5 ERV)
By the way, Tina is still joyful, energetic, and her love of the Lord is evident.
*If you would like to read her book, it can be ordered at www.Westbowpress.com
Pam Means
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