Current Events at Bridge of Hope

Here’s a quick rundown of our most current happenings at Bridge of Hope:

— Youth group second and fourth Saturdays at Bridge of Hope!

— Kidz Club- 1st thru 5th graders starting on second and fourth Saturdays too!

— We have 5 youth boys who are doing court mandated community service with us. They are facing a crossroad on how they are going to live life- Free or doing prison time. We had the privilege of taking them to see our dear friend and community leader Cisco- ex- gang member, who did many years in prison and addiction. We are going to funnel the youth to Cisco as they continue to come us for service hours, where the impact of reality of the darkness meets Jesus our resurrected Lord!

— The Spanish speaking church at Bridge of Hope called Puente de Vida, (Bridge of Life) is outgrowing our building. We are praying for a bigger place for them to meet on Sundays. Good problem!

— Healing Rooms starting in May or early June.

— Annual Easter event at Cherokee Park on May 30th. God has blessed us with 530 baskets!! That is 100 more than last year. Thank you Melissa Drake and family, Anchor church and Sante Fe Christian School!! You are always a huge blessing to all of us!!

— The Day of the Child- Grace Point church is bringing to us a traditional celebration from Mexico called the Day of the Child. We will be at Azalea Park and reaching out to our community with food, games, music, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ on Sunday, April 28th.

— ESL and Tutoring for the Karen- led by Norman Zhu and Eric and Bernadette Winters and their volunteers- meets at Bridge of Hope each Saturday from 1:00-4:00. They are a huge blessing to that community of refugees and they also keep the door open for our neighborhood families who need help too! We are happy to have you with us!

— PLAY IT SAFE- Self defense class for girls will be happening this summer. We are in an area where there is a lot of crime and our kids feel unsafe. Some have all ready faced or witnessed violence against them or others, here in the city. We are offering a three hour training on how to defend yourself if attacked. Also Tracie Arlington, the director of Play It Safe, will be bringing awareness on how girls can be unknowingly trapped into slavery as well as bringing awareness about alcohol, drugs, unhealthy relationships and eating disorders.

Thank you to all our amazing volunteers who make all this happen every day!!! Thank you to all our supporters who bless us with donations, prayers and love for our community!

Love to you all,

Sheri

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Isa (Jesus)

The other day we had four Muslim men from Iraq come to Bridge of Hope to get some things for their families. Three of them are new to this country, just in the last two months, although we had met them before. The other one we had not yet met. He was their interpreter for the day.

After we had helped them I was talking with the interpreter and he told me he was out of job. He had worked as a consultant with the U.S. Army and had always worked and done well in the work place, but now there was no work, and no opportunities for work on the horizon. He said he was hopeless. He had lost His hope and looked in despair as he told me.

I looked at him and said, “Hopeless? There is ALWAYS hope. Can I pray for you?” He said yes, and all five of us stood in a circle and bowed our heads.

I have learned from others more educated than me that I should pray with Muslims using the name Isa, not Jesus. Same person, but that is how they understand the name Jesus. We prayed for God to open doors for employment, to bring hope and to increase his vision etc. I prayed these things in Jesus’ (Isa’s) name.

When we were done, he put his hands above his head. I lifted my hands to meet his and we grasped hands. We looked each other in the eyes, and I said a scripture, “God makes a way in the wilderness and a river in the desert.” He looked right at me, very sober as to soak in that promise. He then turned to his friends and shared it in Arabic. They all said a sincere thank you.

The next day, I delivered the kitchen table to one of the men and that same interpreter was there to help. He said this to me, “Thank you for praying for me. Last night I had visions. I am now filled with hope”. He was smiling and peaceful. I asked what the visions were about? He said, “I can’t really say”, as he glanced over to his friend, “but it was lovely and beautiful and I am filled with hope. Thank you.” PRAISE GOD!!! Thank you Jesus for visiting him and many Muslims, showing your love that brings hope, and change!

Sheri

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