Beginning Experience International Ministry, Inc.: How We Started

The unexpected "miracle of grace" experienced by Jo Lamia (founder) at a weekend retreat in 1973 and the recognition of its tremendous value by Sister Josephine Stewart (founder), were the seeds that grew into Beginning Experience International Ministry, Inc. The teams that are and have been part of the Ministry have accompanied tens of thousands of people in their grief journeys since 1974. A few of their stories follow.

Peg's Story

Peg said she was lost when her husband died. Attending a Beginning Experience® Weekend took her from being scared and miserable on Friday when she arrived to having soaring spirits when she left on Sunday. Although the euphoria was somewhat temporary, Peg was so convinced of the value of the Weekend that she joined the team and over time continued to heal and learn to deal with her grief. Hear more of her story here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHfSPH82bPc.

Earl's Story

"It is difficult, for example, to have profound trust in others without also believing in oneself. ...trust [is damaged] in 3 major areas: trust in self, in others and in God. Earl lost trust when his wife said she no longer wanted to be his wife; ... he "lost his grip on life. He tried to avoid both the journey through grief and the journey into himself. ... If he couldn’t call on his natural toughness to face life, he would simply avoid facing it. He tried to blot it out by drinking and sleeping. Perhaps he could make his way through grief in a kind of stupor." ... But then "Earl discovered a moral toughness that enabled him to be honest and to begin changing his destructive behavior. At first, Earl tried not to face reality, but then he started facing it with honesty" thanks to his involvement with the Begining Experience International Ministry team in Oklahoma City. Earl's acceptance of his divorce and his healing allowed him to gently close the door on the past, re-marry, and happily live out his dream of being in Alaska.

Quotes from Learning to Live Again: The Journey Through Grief for the Widowed or Divorced, ©2010)

Patricia's Loss

Patricia said her divorce had really caused her to be distracted and she got her life back through her Beginning Experience® Weekend. Listen to her own words about why she loves the Beginning Experience(R) Ministry: https://youtu.be/lZ5bNrYSx1U.

Mourning

Lee said: "After my husband’s death, I too felt dead inside. Beginning Experience® showed me a path to new life."

D.M. shared: "Beginning Experience® has been a lifeline for me since my husband died. I attended all the different programs and made many friends along the way. Friends that could understand what I was going through."

"As a widow of 7 years," said Anna, "I was skeptical about going to Beginning Experience®. I felt no one would understand my pain. The weekend literally saved my life. I found the peace I so longed for."

Onward! With Your Support on #GivingTuesday

GRIEF SUPPORT FOR THE DIVORCED, SEPARATED, AND WIDOWED