Hello dear friends,
Wanted to share what a Saturday looks like at Bridge of Hope. One of our precious and committed volunteers said, “Every Saturday is different. You never know what will happen.”
This is true, due to all the different lives we encounter, difficult circumstances people are facing, economic challenges, newly arrived refugees, fear, homelessness, deportation of a loved one, the arrival of a new baby, etc.
Today when I got there, there was about 25 little children from all over the world, waiting for us to open the store. They were so excited. When we opened our doors, the children and adults pulled out all of our benches, tables, chairs and left over melons and onions from yesterday’s food distribution, onto the driveway and side walk. The craft tables and foosball table went out to start the day’s activities. There are so many beautiful faces both young and old. We had about 120 visitors come through our store.
Many children ask for simple things like a towel or bed sheets, a pillow, or socks. A young teen girl came for the first time today for school clothes. She also asked me for a bra and underwear with no embarrassment, she just needed them. Moms needing diapers, needing underwear for their children. A pregnant homeless couple needing a blanket and diapers for their 2 year old. Young children asking for toys for the daycare their single parent mother is attempting to put together in hopes of a career taking care of children, after seeking employment for two years with no luck. As we are listening to people’s requests and searching the storehouse for these items, I pause and think to myself, “These are real needs. These are serious things for people’s lives.”
I met a man and his pregnant girlfriend who had just been accepted to live with her sister after being homeless for a year. She is five months pregnant. Long line of generational pain and abuse. I talked with her a while and prayed for her. I then met her boyfriend. As I began talking with him, I felt the Lord’s call on his life, but was interrupted by a situation. I told him not to leave and that I wanted to talk with him. I was able to return to him along with my friend Baranthu, who is a radical man of God from Ethiopia. The young man said, “you wanted to talk with me?” I said yes and immediately Baranthu and I felt the power of God begin to move and speak. We felt the call of the Lord on his life. We reminded him of the dreams and visions the Lord had given him when he was just a boy, which he thought were dead and gone. We began to pray and suddenly the Holy Spirit fell like a storm on this young man. He began to speak in tongues and cry. We all held hands and let the Lord do what He desired to do. We continued and stayed with him until what was done was done. It was raw, real, powerful and life changing, right on our driveway with everyone around. Thank you Jesus for your encounters. Better one day in your court than a thousand elsewhere. As we finished the prayer, Baranthu encouraged them to stay in the Word of God and to devour the Word. That God would use him to heal and restore the broken. That witnessed to the young man’s heart and calling that he thought had died long ago. Thank you Jesus that your word is true. That no one can pluck us from your hand. That your promises are Yes and Amen.
When we finished the prayer, I looked up and saw a precious sister and her son that I had asked to meet me there. Alex is 9 years old. He had participated in a Easter outreach at Bridge of Hope this past Spring. God pricked his heart to raise money for Bridge of Hope. He held a couple lemonade stands and raised $208.50. He was so excited to come and bring us the money. What a precious young man with a big heart for the needy. I got to thank him and pray for him and share with those around me what this precious brother had done for us. Thank you Jesus! Thank you Alex for your hard work.
I am only one person speaking about the day. Many others were there sharing the love of Jesus and His abundant provision. They too have their stories of conversations and time spent with others.
We are looking at a new building about 10 blocks away. It is thrashed, but has a lot of potential and a great rent price. It also has a huge fenced in yard that we could do a lot with. Hopefully a garden and lots of sitting and playing room for those who come to visit. My vision is to have a piece of heaven in City Heights. Bright, cheery, welcoming and peaceful. Please pray for wisdom regarding this. Also the move will be enormous. We will need many bodies to help with the refurbishing of the property and the move itself. Thank you.
Thank you for your generous donations. Thank you for the diapers and diaper money that came in. Thank you for remembering us in prayer.
-Sheri
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