From "The Oyster"

Vision Is Essential: You Can’t Seize What You Can’t See

As I reflect on the journey of House of Pearls, one truth continues to stand out to me: Vision is essential because you can’t seize what you can’t see. I read that quote by John Maxwell and thought God gives us the eyes to see His vision. It's not about us, but about Him and His vision.

When God placed the vision for House of Pearls on Terry Merritt's heart, I know she could not see every detail of the journey ahead. She could not see every woman who would walk through our doors, every life that would be restored, every family that would be impacted, or every obstacle we would face. But God could see it all. Since I have been at House of Pearls, I certainly can not see it all, but I take great refuge knowing God can.

Vision allows us to look beyond where we are today and believe in what God is capable of doing tomorrow. It gives us the courage to step forward in faith, even when the path is unclear. At House of Pearls, we believe every woman has value, purpose, and worth. We see beyond the struggles, the mistakes, and the past, and we believe in the redeemed life God is creating.

Over the years, God has continued to expand the vision He gave us — from a small beginning to a ministry serving women through discipleship, accountability, life skills, and Christ-centered restoration. We are not just helping women overcome addiction; we are walking with them as they discover who they were created to be in Christ.

As we look toward the future, we continue to pray for God-sized vision. A vision for more lives transformed, more families restored, and more opportunities to share the hope found in Jesus.

Because the truth remains: we cannot seize what we cannot see. But when God gives the vision, He also provides the way.

Thank you to everyone who has chosen to see the vision of House of Pearls and stand with us through your prayers, generosity, and support. Together, we are watching God create ripples of redemption that will impact generations.

— Delois Carpenter
Executive Director, House of Pearls

Being called "The Oyster"

Being called an oyster didn't set well with me at first! My Pastor, Trent McLaughlin, was the first to refer to me in that manner and I remember flinching! Thinking "what did he just say"? But then I started hearing the reason... what comes from an oyster? Pearls!! How does this happen? I started looking up information about an oyster, here is what I found:

1. An oyster is tightly closed, protecting itself.
2. An oyster has a hard shell but is soft inside.
3. Although small, an oyster is a very tough creature.

Interestingly, that sounds a lot like me! Life has a way of doing that to you. You become harder, protective, tough. But then you meet a man named Jesus and He changes you on the inside. There is a softness, a caring spirit that didn't use to be there.

“Oysters make pearls in response to an irritant, such as a grain of sand. When any irritant makes its way between the mollusk's shell and mantle, the creature produces nacre, a protective coating that helps reduce irritation. The oyster's natural reaction is to cover up that irritant to protect itself. This eventually forms a pearl.”

"The irritants, the stinging -- without them the oyster would not make the pearl, the thing of beauty, the object of great worth."

If you have been around our Pearls any amount of time, you will begin to love them. When they come to us, they are irritated from many things. If they stick around, you will begin to see these women heal from past hurts, brokenness, pain, & anger. God begins doing a might work in them. As Pastor Trent says: What He allows to happen TO you, He will do THROUGH you to help others.

That is exactly what He did through me. He took a broken girl, from a broken home of addiction. Gave her a family, and allowed addiction to even touch the life of her child, just so He could mold her, help her learn to forgive in order to help other women learn about the love of Jesus Christ and His healing power.

And He will do that through YOU as well. To every Pearl that has come through our 1 year program, He isn't finished with you. Let him use your story, to help others, for His Glory!

I now love my nickname "Oyster". I'm honored God saw fit to include me in His redemptive work at House of Pearls.

- The Oyster

I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities to further God's ministry so please feel free to reach out if you would like for us to come share at your church, community event, ladies meeting or if you are just interested in learning more about who the House of Pearls is. You can email me directly at DeloisCarpenter@gmail.com

or call one of our locations to speak with me.