This month, we’re excited to hear from our Hannah House Director, Jessica Smith! Recently, Jessica led all of the Hannah House women and their children on a retreat—a new tradition that’s quickly becoming a highlight of the year. These retreats are more than just a getaway; they are opportunities to step outside of daily routines, enjoy the beauty of the outdoors, and create cherished memories together. For many of our women and their children, this is a first-time experience—one filled with rest, joy, and a renewed sense of hope.
Thank you for making these life-giving experiences possible through your generosity.
Blessings,
Kaleb Perdew
Victory Looks Different
Dear Friends and Family,
Romans 8:28 says, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” That verse became the heartbeat of our 2nd annual Hannah House Retreat. Our theme this year was victory — not just the kind that feels good, but the kind that stands firm even when Satan comes hard as the oppressor. We focused on what it means to be victorious in Christ, and how our true identity is rooted in Him, not in our circumstances.
To be honest, the weekend didn’t start off smoothly. In fact, it felt like everything that could go wrong did.
It started at our Thursday night house dinner and Bible study, and a conflict between a couple of the women here at the house escalated quickly. I love every one of these women deeply, but in moments of tension, even my attempts at correction and redirection weren’t received in love. It left me feeling defeated — like maybe I’m not cut out for this, like I’m failing in both leadership and in shepherding hearts toward recovery and Christ.
Then came a phone call no parent wants to receive: my son Braxton had been in a fender bender on his lunch break at school. Thankfully, everyone was okay. But it shook me. It’s one thing after another, I thought.
And just two hours before we were supposed to leave for the retreat, I got another call. Misty Old Elk, a former resident of Hannah House and friend, was in the hospital with severe cirrhosis. They were saying she had less than 24 hours to live.
At that moment, every plan we had for the weekend suddenly didn’t matter. God was calling us elsewhere — to the hospital, to Misty’s bedside, to pray.
When we finally arrived at Clydehurst, our hearts were heavy, but we were determined to make the most of what God had in store, and He didn’t disappoint.
Throughout the weekend, we spent intentional time in fellowship, breaking down what victory really means — especially in seasons of oppression and pain. We explored how vital it is to know our identity in Christ and surround ourselves with a community rooted in Jesus.
The women and children experienced healing joy — through rock climbing, ziplining, and a hike to a breathtaking waterfall. We ended our evening lying under a star-lit sky, reminded that even in darkness, there is beauty.
One of the greatest takeaways for me was this: Victory looks different for everyone.
In Jesus’ story, there were many small but powerful victories — healing the sick, casting out demons, raising the dead. But His greatest victory came through what looked, to the world, like defeat — His death on the cross.
That’s what I kept thinking about as we spent time with Misty over the next week. From the outside, her story didn’t seem victorious. Her body was failing, her time on earth coming to a close. But in Christ, she had already won. She no longer had to fight her demons. Jesus had taken her home. That is the ultimate victory.
Our weekend was a vivid reminder that victory isn’t always loud or pretty — sometimes, it’s quiet, costly, and painful. But when it’s found in Christ, it is eternal.
Praise Reports
- An amazing Hannah House Retreat!
- We had a new resident move in and has added some positivity to the house.
Prayer Requests
- For Misty’s family and friends who are still grieving her loss.
- For our expansion project, the transformation has been such a beautiful thing to watch.
- The house has been seeing so much discord. Prayers that we can start to see unity and community between our current residents.
Currently reading & listening.
In The Scandal of the Kingdom: How the Parables of Jesus Revolutionize Life with God, Dallas Willard unpacks the parables of Jesus as radical invitations into the present reality of God’s kingdom. Far from simple moral lessons, these stories are “scandalous” because they overturn worldly assumptions about power, justice, and merit, revealing instead the grace, love, and upside-down values of God’s reign. Willard emphasizes that Jesus used parables not only to teach truth but to transform lives, showing that the kingdom is accessible here and now for those willing to trust Him. Through this lens, the parables call readers to live with compassion, mercy, and faith, embracing a life reshaped by God’s presence and radical love.
Scripture to Meditate On
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28
Blessings,
Jessica Smith – Hannah House Director
