The
family showed up at our church early in February. They were living in a big 5th
wheel RV, but the dad had been laid off and they couldn’t make the rent for
their RV space. They were desperate.
We
offered sanctuary, agreeing to let them park their RV and use our facilities
for a couple of weeks. This offer came with ‘no strings attached’ other than be
a good guest. They were.
We
passed along job leads, helped with resumes, readied a mentoring group and
provided lots of safe listening space.
After
several weeks we had to ask them to move their RV, they understood yet even
here we helped with that and provided a grant/loan for its storage.
Through
it all we worked to maintain our relationship with them.
And
they started coming to church.
And
on May 1st they were baptized.
As
of today they are both working full time, they’ve repaid the grant/loan and paid
a bit forward; also, they’re closer to finding secure housing for the entire family.
During
their stay with us the dad gave the church this pencil sketch of the Cross.
(The scan barely captures its beauty).
During
their baptism we talked about Jesus’ work on the Cross and made the
point: ‘Baptism marks the beginning of life in Christ, not its completion.’
I
wonder how their new life in Christ will shape them?
I
wonder how their new life in Christ will shape us?
Join
us at 10AM as we wonder.
Together
We Serve,
Pastor
Mike