An encouraging week

Martha and I don't have children of our own, but the homeless and those we serve have become our "children." In fact, some of them even call us "mom" and "dad." I'm thinking that it's not because we are old, but it's because we take care of them. :-)

We do love them, and when they hurt, we hurt. When they celebrate, we celebrate. This week has been a great week of celebration. It's been a real encouraging week.

Three of the men we have been working with for a while received some great news. One of them, Richard,who is still technically homeless, though he is living in a hotel, received word that he will start his new job on Monday. This is the job he has been praying for and waiting on for a while. In the meantime, he has worked other jobs and side jobs, but now he will be working where he wanted to. It's a very good job, and soon he will be on his own. Through the past year-and-a-half Richard has really grown in the Lord and we have seen a tremendous change in him. Soon, he will have his own home.

Patrick has been out of work for a month. When we met him last summer he lived in a tent in the woods. He has his own apartment now, but times have been tough. Well, things are turning around as he found out that he will start his new job this Sunday. As I dropped him off at his home Wednesday night following Bible study, we prayed. We prayed that this job would open up. He received the phone call Thursday that he had the job. Coincidence? No way. Like Patrick said, "This prayer stuff works." He is so excited and so thankful. He wanted us to pray together Thursday evening, this time with him leading the prayer, and he thanked God for everything. God is doing a great work in him.

Then there's Charles. He has a job, but they haven't been working because of waiting on contracts to come through. So, he's been working through a temp company. Then on Thursday he got a call from someone who is doing demolition work in Dothan. His boss called this man and suggested he put Charles to work, because he is a hard worker. Charles starts with that man on Monday. That should keep him busy until those contracts come through. He's excited.

Then to top off the week, a pickup truck was donated today for a couple we have been transporting back and forth from work, church and stores. Mike and Michelle were homeless and living in their car when Pastor Sean Nix of Harvest Church introduced us to them. Martha and I fell in love with them quickly. They're a precious young couple who just needed to experience the love of Jesus and receive a hand up.

They moved into a home a couple of months ago, then their car died. So, we have been taking them where they needed to go. Keeping them employed was key to keep them off the streets. Then they started asking for rides to church.

Working with Mike and Michelle has been a great example of what the Body of Christ can accomplish, and how we can make a difference in people's lives. It hasn't just been Martha and me providing transportation. Sean and members of his small group at church have been helping, and a wonderful woman named Laura from Wiregrass Church has been giving them rides to work and to town so they can shop.

Today, a pickup has been donated. Thanks to everyone helping, they are both still employed and now they have their own wheels again. Thank you Sean, Laura and everyone in Sean's group. It's been incredible watching how God has touched Mike's and Michelle's lives through all of this. It has shown them that God loves them and that there are people who love and care about them.

To everything I mentioned above, add to it a wonderful Tuesday night Celebrate Recovery and Wednesday night discipleship groups, and it has been an incredible week. It's been so encouraging. It's God showing all of us that He hears our prayers and knows our needs. We just need to trust in Him completely and turn everything over to Him, and He will work it all out.

Praise God!