Dream becomes reality
Some people dream of exotic vacations, winning the lottery or appearing on “American Idol.”
But Stephy Nobles-Beans had a simpler dream that seemed just as unattainable.
She dreamed of a home.
For many years, Nobles-Beans, a multicultural program assistant at Whitworth University, had worked in prison ministry with her best friend and pastor, Patricia Ledlow.
“We fell in love with the women in prison. We saw brokenness; we saw hearts that needed to be mended,” Nobles-Beans said.
They also saw familiar faces as women were released, only to return.
“The women have a hard time after getting out when they go back to the same environment,” said Ledlow.
In addition, the two friends shared a concern for homeless women and children trapped in a cycle of poverty.
Nine years ago, Nobles-Beans began to dream. She thought, “What if I could have a home for women and children? A place where the love of Jesus would flourish.”
As she recently recalled her story, her eyes sparkled and her hands flew as she gestured.
“I heard children laughing. I saw a big house – there was joy in the house. I said, ‘Lord, where am I going to get a house?’ “
Last year, she believes, God answered that question in a miraculous way. A friend introduced Nobles-Beans to a wealthy Christian man. She met with him and shared her heart.
Apparently, dreams can be contagious because this man caught her vision and her passion and told her to start looking at houses.
Shortly afterward, Ledlow drove by a home on the South Hill and told Nobles-Beans, “Girl, this is workable.”
In April, their benefactor purchased the property valued at a quarter-million dollars and gave it to Nobles-Beans.
“It’s a gift,” she said and then laughed. “It’s God!”
A white wrought-iron fence surrounds the brick home. The first thing guests notice when they open the front door is a glittering chandelier hanging above a wide staircase.
With five bedrooms, three bathrooms and a spacious kitchen and laundry room, the home seems tailor-made for the women who will live there.
Two decks overlook the backyard tennis court and offer a stunning city view. “We know and understand God is doing wonderful things for us,” said Nobles-Beans.
The residence, which they call Fields of Diamonds House of Blessings: a Christian Transition Home, is to open in September.
Ledlow is executive director; Nobles-Beans is president of the nonprofit ministry.
They will house up to six women and children at a time. The goal is to teach women how to become self-sufficient by facilitating job training, parenting classes and support systems.
Women will be allowed to live in the home for six months to a year as long as they are working or going to school. Church attendance is mandatory.
“This house is not government-funded,” Nobles-Beans said, “so we can talk Jesus.”
She and Ledlow want the women who walk through their doors to feel loved and accepted.
“They are queens,” said Ledlow.
Because they aren’t seeking government funding, the women acknowledge it will take a lot of help and support from the community to make the Fields of Diamonds House successful.
Area churches such as Timberview Christian Center and New Hope Baptist have adopted rooms in the house, which they will furnish and maintain.
Nobles-Beans says she hopes more churches and individuals will join them.
“We need help,” she said. “We can’t do it by ourselves; it will cost money to run this house.”
The bottom line for Ledlow and Nobles-Beans is love.
“God is love, love is God and love covers a multitude of sins,” said Ledlow.
The two friends are no strangers to heartache. Between them, they’ve suffered rapes, broken marriages and suicide attempts.
They cited their losses and then broke into shouts of praise as Nobles-Beans interjected, “But God. …”
On the front door, they plan to hang a plaque that articulately summarizes their hopes and dreams for the new home: “Coming in wounded. Leaving a warrior.”
“I dare you to dream,” said Nobles-Beans.
Correspondent Cindy Hval can be reached at dchval@juno.com.