A church recently asked me to partner with them in developing a chaplaincy ministry to people with mental and/or sensory disabilities who were residents of a residential hotel in the Little Rock area. The pastor wanted me to train and mentor volunteers from his congregation to minister and relate to that segment of residents. This would not be a difficult task, because the church had already established an on-going ministry to the elderly living at the hotel.

As I was visiting the hotel’s residents one day, I met two very talented individuals. One person enjoyed art, particularly drawing with a pencil and pen. The other person, Evonne, wrote poetry. Both of these individuals had been diagnosed with more than one mental illness.

Evonne is a very likeable person who has experienced a side of life that many haven’t seen. Over the years her struggle has not been to keep her faith in God, because she has maintained her faith, but rather to have faith in her fellow man. She has found over and over again that connecting with a local Christian church and Christians can be difficult once they find out she has a mental illness. She is not violent; rather, she is loving and giving. Over and over again, people have withdrawn from her, not because of her personality, but because of a diagnosis. Consequently, she turned to writing poetry to help her express herself to others. This medium gives her a way to communicate her feelings. She has connected with a church and written plays for them as well.

As people who have been diagnosed with a mental illness approach your church for fellowship and membership, remember many of them are seeking the same God and Savior you have sought. I have known Evonne now for seven years and she loves the Lord as much as any other person I have ever known.

Below is one of Evonne's poems:

No You Didn’t ^©

by Evonne Newman

You didn’t nurture me each day,

then turn me away.

You didn’t reach out to me,

then tell me no.

You didn’t guide me

to take me down a wrong road.

You didn’t meet my every need,

then stop giving!

You didn’t teach me your ways

then lead me into error.

You didn’t keep your strong, steady hand upon me

to take me into danger.

You didn’t forgive me

then withhold your mercy.

You didn’t give me strength in all those dark years,

then take away your grace.

You didn’t give me power to be defeated!

No, Lord you didn’t bring me this far

to let me go!

No you didn’t...

Copyright 10/6/01. This poem may not be reproduced without written permission.