Are we bugging you?

“One of the biggest things [I learned from the BUG tour] was from Heather the speaker. She told us that when someone says something bad about your beauty, that doesn’t make you a bad person, and it doesn’t mean you deserve it. Another thing I learned was that God made women so he could have something to capture his beauty, which I think is really cool. One activity we did was to write the lies (bad things) on paper that people had told us about our beauty. Then we got to rip them up and throw them in the garbage. That took a whole load off my chest.” (Emma, grade 8)

Photo courtesy of Avante Records

After a tragic teen suicide in our community last spring, we were in need of healing. The Beautiful Unique Girls (BUG) tour was an answer to prayer for Newton (Man.) Community Fellowship Church. Several of the girls who attended the BUG tour were close to the girl who took her own life and the event was especially healing for them.

On Dec. 6, the Family Life Network van drove up to the church. The team quickly transformed a bland, ordinary meeting room in our basement into a cozy space complete with a velvet backdrop, stage lighting, shag carpet, silk pillows, lava lamps, sound system, flowers and pictures. When all the prep work was done, we sat on the shag carpet and dedicated the evening to God, inviting the Holy Spirit to meet the specific needs of the 30 girls who would attend the event.

Excitement filled the air as the girls began to arrive, wearing their pjs and slippers in anticipation of a special evening.

Amanda Falk Photo courtesy of Avante Records

“Amanda Falk’s tour literally changed my life. I had been going through a ton of life-changing things and Amanda helped me. She sat down with me, talked with me, encouraged me and prayed with me. I thought it was amazing how she did that. She gave me hope and her music has definitely helped me through bad days. I was so grateful that she came and I hope to meet her again some day.” (Haleigh, grade 11)

First, Lorelle gave the girls an opportunity to voice their opinions on what it means to be beautiful in today’s world. The hands-on approach was powerful and intimate, allowing each girl to speak. Then Heather used the creation story to show the girls their uniqueness in how God created them. She also told her personal story of how she came from brokenness to wholeness in Christ.

After indulging in a scrumptious chocolate fondue, the girls spent time on the shag carpet painting their nails and having some “girl time.” The women on the BUG team sat on the floor with them, providing an opportunity for further personal interaction.

The evening concluded with a mini-concert given by Amanda Falk, a recording artist, songwriter and singer whose songs help girls realize their potential and God-given worth. Afterwards, each participant received a CD autographed by the artist.

“A part of the girls’ night that really moved me was Amanda’s mini-concert. When she sang ‘Small’ I really started to think about my life and how I was living my life for God. It was a great experience.” (Rita, grade 8)

The concert concluded with a time of worship and singing. Barriers came down, freeing the girls to worship God without reservation. Following the worship, the participants huddled in clusters, holding hands and praying. It was a tender time when healing began in many of the girls.

“My night with Amanda Falk was the best! We had lots of fun just hanging out, laughing, talking and singing with other girls. At the end I started to cry. I felt in my heart that God was there. It was such a powerful night. I will never forget it.” (Jenny, grade 7)

Photo courtesy of Vi Siemens

Vi Siemens is a youth sponsor at Community Fellowship Church, Newton, Manitoba.