From Anonymous 5/17/08

About serving at the Emergency Women’s Shelter

I had gotten a report from one of the ladies that stayed with us last time that one of the women didn’t move on with them to their next church, the week after they left us last time. She asked the woman why she wasn’t going on with them but staying back at the salvation army…. Her reply was, that after spending the week at Lake Forest, she had time to think and had been thinking about God a lot while there. She decided that she would check herself into a rehab clinic and get her life turned around with God. She was one of the women that was very reclusive in the beginning but about mid way through began hugging us and she even said an awesome prayer one night.

A couple of nights ago we ended up doing a spontaneous devotion time. It wasn’t anything hard pressed, we just shared a few scriptures and gave them opportunity to share a prayer request and then prayed for them. We offered ourselves after and throughout the week if anyone wanted to talk to us about having a relationship with God. One young girl approached me and said that she had never accepted Christ and wanted to. It was so awesome, she is so tender. My hope is that we can impact these women with Hope now and Hope throughout eternity.

Lots of other great stories … we were able to make a connection for a couple of the women and they got jobs starting next week : ) There’s more but thought I would just share a few so you could share in the joy.

From Anonymous 5/19/08

About serving at the Emergency Women’s Shelter

I’ve always wanted to see the homeless from their perspective, not just what I see on the sidewalks. I also wanted my daughter to experience a blessing by serving (she did!).

While visiting with the homeless ladies during dinner and at the laundromat, I was blessed and encouraged by their loving attitudes. Once, when talking to a homeless woman and describing my experience last summer during the Mexico missions trip, I got a different reaction. Usually when I’ve described how we were able to build a home for a needy family in a week, responses have been empathetic, interested, curious. This lady responded with interest, but with some humility. I realized for the first time that the Mexican family, as destitute as they were, were doing better than this woman- at least they have a home.

I came away with a renewed sense of thankfulness for God’s provision in my life, how I have so much to give and be thankful for. My daughter feels the same way,especially when helping out at the Butterfly Bin, and wants to continue helping however she can to encourage those in need.