Michelle Svobda: Beyond Beauty

Natalia O, Gleaner Writer

Wife of a Christian missionary, mother to two loving boys, a supporter of the Jamaica Deaf Village - Michelle Svoboda overcame an early life of emotional struggles through a personal relationship with the Lord, the support of her husband, and living a life of serving others.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Svoboda grew up in a Catholic family with her parents and three siblings. They attended Sunday Mass regularly, but she admits she did not have a personal relationship with God. Her parents later divorced and, through her father's new marriage, Svoboda gained three other siblings. She describes the divorce as very traumatic, but said she was thankful for her new siblings, as they all gave and received love in different ways and she is constantly learning through her relationships with them.

Her emotional struggles in life did not begin with her parents' divorce. As a child, she was molested by a pre-teen neighbour. This left her guarded and often times confused. Later on as a teenager, Svoboda was the victim of date rape and this further plunged her into emotional turmoil. Later, Svoboda developed a long term relationship with someone whom she describes as an 'inner-city guy' who eventually decided if he couldn't have her, then no one else should - this was the recipe for a life of turmoil.

But in 1991, at the invitation of a friend to visit an Evangelical church, she told Outlook that her eyes were opened by the Holy Spirit to spiritual truth through the book of Revelation. Her new relationship with God gave her the strength to let go of that unhealthy four-year relationship, which included filing police reports to completely sever all ties. She remembers, "Amid this chaos, God brought me a special gift - a Christian man, Andy Svoboda, who encouraged me to get help from Christian professional counsellors." Within a few years, Andy and Michelle were married and together became the Svobodas.

As they approach their 20th

wedding anniversary this July, they are more in love than ever before. As she puts it, "Not because life has been a bed of roses, but by the power and grace of God and an unswerving commitment to 'death do us part', we have fought our way through the ghosts of my past, five years of infertility, depression, different interests and different goals. Though it has not been easy, we feel like we are starting to learn what it means to love your neighbour as yourself - after all isn't your spouse your closest neighbour?'

She told Outlook that it is important for women who have experienced abuse to share their stories of triumph in an effort to encourage others who may be going through similar situations; to assure them that things can change, to have hope that things will get better, and to trust that there is healing in the Lord.

Outlook: How do you spend your weekends?

Michelle Svoboda: Our family calls Friday nights 'Fun Nights' as the children get to relax and stay up late and my husband and I get to spend the evening together uninterrupted. Saturdays are filled with chores or visiting friends, preparing lesson plans, and Sundays are spent in fellowship at church.

What is your favourite Jamaican vacation spot?

When teams (international volunteers) come to Jamaica on mission trips to help at the Jamaica Deaf Village, we have the privilege to escort them on their days off to see the country. We have been all over, but if I had to choose, my personal favourite would be YS Falls in St Elizabeth.

What is your dream international vacation spot?

My closest friend, Heidi Speers, has relatives from Switzerland and whenever I see her scenic photos from there, I want to jump on a plane and go. It would be exciting to visit there for a few weeks to experience it with my husband.

Who is your favourite author?

I have not read a lot of adult books since I started homeschooling in 2007, but my favourite author that we've read for school would be C.S. Lewis: The Chronicles of Narnia series.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

There are two and they are from the Bible:

1. Jesus' quote in Matthew 22:37, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart ... soul ... and mind. And ... love your neighbour as yourself."

2. The Apostle Paul's advice in Philippians 2:3&4, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."

Which charity are you most passionate about?

Our passions are for helping the deaf know Jesus Christ, that is why we moved to Jamaica in 2012. But we also have a special place in our hearts for orphans, because they have a special place in God's heart. So, we support the New Hope Children's Home in Mandeville through donations as well as spending time there loving the babies.

New Hope Children's Home

PO Box 1024, Mandeville, Jamaica

Phone:After 7 p.m. 876-962-1441 (no voicemail service available)

Email: newhopehome@me.com