The God of Restoration

For years, our NightLight Missouri team dreamed of being located in the heart of Springfield on Commercial Street. It felt like a God-planted dream. Of course, if you’ve lived in the area for long, you probably remember a time when it was not such a beautifully kept street with flourishing storefronts and quaint local foods.

Last summer, NightLight Missouri had the opportunity to transition to this dream location. Through years of local ministry, we’ve heard many stories of women who have memories from this area of town, many of which are traumatic.

Recently, one of our long-time survivor friends came to have lunch with us and see the new space. As we excitedly offered various dining options on the street, she got a little anxious. “No, I can’t go there,” she responded to our first suggestion. “There are too many memories there.” We moved on, but later, I asked her about her comment. She graciously explained that her trafficker had taken her to the place we had mentioned, and that there were traumatic memories attached to going there.

Not a week later, I met with a new client who was trafficked for many years. As we talked, she shared that she had regularly solicited clients just down the street at a bus stop. Commercial Street was her “track.” She expressed that she was likely banned from many of the businesses on the street because of her past, and that it was strange to be back on the street again, especially after experiencing some healing and recovery.

After hearing these stories, I am even more confident of the Lord’s intentional planting of NightLight on this street. God knew we needed to be here to help bring transformation into stories of past trauma and exploitation. Today, we get to open our doors with open arms and a safe space. We get to provide for needs, meet people where they are, care for their hearts, and encourage new lives as they walk forward. Our God is the God of restoration, and we get to participate in this holy process. We get to partner with Him in a new and sacred way, bringing light into dark places, new life into places of death and brokenness. We are so grateful to be a part of His restorative work.