Healing Through Stability: How Children Recover from Trauma
Why Safe Relationships Matter for Children Recovering from Trauma
When we think about healing from trauma, it’s easy to imagine a single breakthrough moment: a counseling session, a court victory, or a dramatic turning point.
But healing rarely happens that way.
More often, it begins with something much simpler: love, safety, consistency, and people who faithfully show up.
I’ve always been amazed by the impact these ordinary gifts can have in the life of a child who’s experienced trauma.
Scott and I first witnessed this with our own adopted children. Family dinners, predictable routines, and bedtime prayers were unfamiliar to them.
I remember gently guiding one of our children back to the dinner table after he wandered away every few minutes. Sitting together for a meal simply wasn’t part of his world. Yet before long, he found comfort in the routine. Family dinner became his favorite part of the day.
That experience taught us something we’ve seen repeated countless times since: while healing from trauma often includes professional counseling and evidence-based therapies, recovery usually begins by restoring what trauma has taken away—a sense of safety, stability, and belonging.
Healing Begins with Feeling Safe
Every day at our Rescue One More Centers, children arrive carrying the weight of child sexual violence, exploitation, and profound betrayal.
Many are frightened, overwhelmed, and unsure whom they can trust.
Yet within days, and sometimes even hours, we begin to witness remarkable change.
Children who were once withdrawn begin laughing with their aunties. They make friends, join morning devotions, help prepare meals, and complete everyday chores. Slowly, they settle into predictable routines.
These moments may seem ordinary.
For a child recovering from trauma, they are extraordinary.
Each consistent act of kindness helps rebuild trust. Each safe relationship reminds a child that the world can be different than what they have experienced. Little by little, fear gives way to hope.
Four Days That Created Lasting Memories
This month, Scott, Vanessa, and I had the privilege of watching that transformation unfold during a four-day camp hosted by a mission team from St. Andrew’s Church in San Antonio.
For many of the children, it was their very first vacation.
They splashed in Lake Victoria, hiked to waterfalls, played games, created arts and crafts, worshiped together, and simply enjoyed being children.
The campground itself was simple, but to these children it felt magical.
Their joy reminded us that healing isn’t found in extravagant experiences. It’s found in knowing you’re loved, creating joyful memories, and discovering that life can be safe and beautiful again.
On the final day, each child came forward to thank the team. One young girl knelt before them: a traditional Ugandan expression of deep gratitude and respect.
There wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
Caring for Those Who Care for Children
While one team poured into the children, another mission team from First Presbyterian Church of San Antonio spent the day caring for nearly 30 members of our Ugandan staff.
Together they prayed, laughed, worshiped, played games, shared meals, and found something that’s often in short supply for those working in child protection: rest.
Every day, our staff carry the weight of heartbreaking stories while walking alongside children on their journeys toward safety, justice, healing, and hope.
To care well for children, we must also care for those who serve them.
Their encouragement, spiritual renewal, and well-being strengthen the ministry that makes healing possible.
Healing Happens One Relationship at a Time
June is recognized as PTSD Awareness Month, reminding us that trauma recovery is rarely defined by one life-changing moment.
Instead, healing grows through thousands of small moments of safety, consistency, and love.
Sharing a meal.
Bedtime prayers.
Conversations with a trusted caregiver.
Splashing in the lake with friends.
A team willing to travel across the world simply to remind children they are deeply loved.
Because of the generosity of our supporters and the faithful service of these mission teams, children who once knew only fear are discovering joy again. Families are finding hope. Our staff is being refreshed for the work ahead.
One child at a time, healing is taking root.
We are deeply grateful to the teams from St. Andrew’s Church and First Presbyterian Church of San Antonio, and to every partner who makes this work possible. Together, we are helping children discover that while trauma may be part of their story, it does not have to define their future.
