Recently I asked one of our interns to write a little about her experience at Bethlehem House.  You can read what Kayla P had to say here:

When I began my internship at the Bethlehem House, I didn’t really know what to expect.  I haven’t had a lot of experience within this realm, so to say the least, I was nervous.  After my first couple of days, my nerves ceased as I realized helping others is what this place is all about.  My eyes and heart are opened to the beauty of Christ each time I walk through the door.  I have traveled to some of the most impoverished areas in the world, but there is something different about seeing people in need right in my own town.  I am eager to come back each time, and often find myself thinking about different situations that I have experienced here, while I’m away.  I don’t know whether it’s being able to help people who are grateful for things that I take for granted or some other reason, but I always want to smile when I am here.  I feel blessed that in some small way, God has allowed me to be a part of something so much bigger than myself, something that reflects His beauty.  Being here has served as a much needed reminder for me to take down the blinders and love as Christ loves.   I think knowing that love is at the root of the Bethlehem House is what makes it different.  People can come here to have their physical needs met, but somewhere in the midst of it all, they will see Christ. 

I recently saw The Blind Side.  I loved it!  It had truth and family and hope and compassion, love and a happy ending!  I mean, if you’ve seen the movie, didn’t you come out of there saying to yourself, ‘WOW!’?  And, if you’re willing to tell the truth, didn’t you wipe a tear or two while you were there?  When Michael found his mother had moved, or when he asked Mrs. Tuohy why they did what they did, didn’t you cry just a little? 

I saw the movie 3 weeks ago, and I still think about.  Maybe I think about it more because of my job.  I work with individuals that are homeless every day.  I see the needs out there.  I understand that homelessness isn’t a character defect – it’s a situation.  But this morning, I just can’t seem to get the movie off my mind. 

It’s like the Lord is trying to tell me something, something important.   And, while I’m trying to listen, all I seem to hear is that there are lots of Michael Ohers out there.  Oh, they don’t all have the same drive Michael has. They aren’t all homeless because of their parents.  And they’re certainly not all equipped to be professional football players.  But, there are many people living on the fringes, living in their cars, living in a tent, living without running water or electricity that just need a little help to make so much more of their lives. 

And, you may say to yourself, ‘Yeah, but I don’t have the kind of money the Tuohys have’.  But what really made the difference for Michael wasn’t the money.  It was love – selfless love.  It was finding people worthy of trust.  It was having a safe place to call home.  It was mercy and grace.  LOVE. 

So, today, as I think about new beginnings and the New Year, I plan to purposefully look for ways that I can make a difference.  I want to be a life-giver, a carrier of the blessing, a person that loves without restraint.  I want to help a ‘Big Mike’ become a ‘Michael’.  And, if you haven’t seen the movie – go, now.  You’ll be inspired. 

Think about what occurred in your life today.  You woke up, took a shower, brushed your teeth, got dressed and went to work.  Then you came home, spent time with your family and went to bed.  These are all basic needs that most people take for granted and things that everyone deserves.  Unfortunately, not everyone has the pleasure of living their daily life in this manner.  Far too many people live their lives in fear of where they will sleep, eat their next meal or find clothing.  They have only the clothes on their back and no family to look to for guidance.  These people live in this community.  They come in all shapes and sizes.  She is the little girl that sits next to your child in art class or the man that stood next to you in line at the store today.

 This is what we are faced with everyday at Bethlehem House.  The most rewarding part is being able to do something about it.  There is nothing more beautiful than seeing a mother cry tears of joy because she is able to provide a bed for her child or seeing a many become full that hasn't eaten in days.  Fear is an emotion that cannot be avoided, but being able to relieve someone's fear is something that will never be forgotten.

 Haley - Bethlehem House Resident Advocate

It's finally Friday - yep, that's the title of a song, and today, I am so glad it is FINALLY Friday!  And, not just that, but a sunshiney Friday! 

We're busy today interviewing potential residents.  Yep, we have two women's beds open and it's possible, we might be able to sneak in one more man.  So, Debbie, our Case Manager, is busy asking what some might consider 'nosey questions'.

Our job is to help people change their lives, to create new habits, to start over.  And, in order to understand how best to help someone, it's important to understand what got them into their current situation.  So, our interview process takes well over an hour and we ask everything from 'where's your family and why won't they help', to 'tell me about any legal issues you've ever experienced', to discussing addiction issues.  You see, we want to help people make a long-term commitment to life change.  And it all starts with a trusting relationship that can only be experienced through honesty and commitment. 

Enjoy your bright, sunshiney day!

The work we do in this community would not be possible without the help of our volunteers.  We have so many people that contribute their time and talents to making life better for the homeless in our community.  For the person that drives to Searcy to pick up food, or the one that brings a meal once a month, the one that volunteers to work in the office, or the ones fixing our trailer and hauling off junk - we couldn't do our job without you!  Thank you!

As a small token of our appreciation to the wonderful volunteers that labor along side us, we are hosting a Volunteer Reception this Sunday, 9/13, 1:30 - 3:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall of Second Baptist Church.  Please RSVP by calling 329-4862 ASAP.  We're trying to get a head count to ensure we have enough chairs and food. 

You know the old saying there are three types of communication, telephone, telegraph and tell a woman?  Well, that's obviously way out of date and yes, I'm screaming my age here.  Well, that saying was light years from the internet and email. 

Last week an email screamed through Conway like a wildfire alerting many of you to our empty food pantry.  And, many of you have responded.  Yes, you've made an impact in our pantry, and thanks to you, we've been able to hand out food baskets again this week.  We're still in need of lots of things.  Right now we have plenty of cereal and corn and bread and eggs.  But, we can still use most everything else. 

Just bring it on!  And, thank you for spreading the word!

Sometimes it really does take a community.  We recently signed up with Feed The Children to get food for our pantry.  As part of the agreement, we're supposed to store the food on location and pick the food up in Oklahoma City. 

As you can imagine, we're not prepared to drive our little 8 passenger van to OKC to pick up food. But, Virco stepped up to the challenge.  They've agreed to pick the food up on their way back through from one of their deliveries. 

And, in our 100+year old house, we don't have much storage.  In preparation for our Feed the Children agreement,the Faulkner County Youth Leadership Class of 2009 and the Carpentry Apprenticeship class from Nabholz built and painted two portable storage buildings for us.  

Last week, we got our first call from Feed the Children.  They had three pallets of cereal, a pallet of corn and numerous pallets of water, soda and cleaning supplies.  We placed a call to Virco and they scheduled the pick up. 

Two days later, they came through OKC and picked up the food.  Since they were in an 18-wheeler, they had to unload into something smaller to come down Faulkner Street.  FedEx stepped up and agreed to bring the food to us the following day. The food was placed in the storage buildings supplied by Nabholz and the Youth FCLI group. 

When the total picture is too large for us to handle on our own, we really do have to remember, sometimes it takes a community.

If it's before 3:05 pm on Friday, August 28, 2009 - PLEASE DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER! 

Because at 3:00 today, we are doing something very exciting and almost secretive.  Well, secretive up until the time we sign on the dotted line...  Wait!  Did I  just spill the beans?  Did I really just tell you that we are closing on land for a new facility?  It's a good thing I told you not to read this until after 3:05 pm.  I'll just have to trust that you followed instructions.

So, now that it's after 3:05 pm on Friday, August 28, 2009 - let me tell you - the land we are purchasing is at the corner of Davis and Faulkner.  It's a little over an acre and it's a wonderful piece of property!  We are so excited and grateful.  Someday soon, we'll have a sign up that says, 'Future Home of Bethlehem House'.  And everytime you're in the neighborhood, please drive by and say a prayer for God to provide everything we need to build there, to move there, to minister there, to change lives there. 

Hopefully, it's after 3:05 pm on Friday, August 28, 2009. 

Happy Wednesday!  It's a Wonderful Wednesday here at the Shelter!  We're full with 4 single men, 2 single women and 3 single moms with 6 children.  Anytime you have 6 kids running around laughing, giggling, playing, whining, fighting and having a good time - it's a Wonderful day!  Loud, but wonderful! 

So often we think of the homeless as the man on the side of the freeway with a sign that says, 'Will work for food'.  (I would like to stand behind that man with a sign that says, 'Don't fall for that!') 

Homeless individuals are just like you and me, without housing.  Sure some of them have mental health issues or addiction issues, but many times, they've just gotten themselves in a financial hole with no way out. 

That's why we're here - to help people help themselves!  And, I want the world to know that the 'homeless' are real people, people ranging from the 2 week old newborn to the 83 year old woman sleeping here.  They just have no where else to call home.

So, while our focus is on the program that equips and motivates individuals to change their lives, we can't forget to focus on the people, on the heartbreaks, the joys, the children, the loneliness, the families that call Bethlehem House home.  We couldn't do this without you.  On this Wonderul Wednesday, I'd like to say 'THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!"

Guest Blogger - Missy Johnson - Bethlehem House Director

On Monday, August 17^th, Bethlehem House had the honor of hosting author Wm Paul Young at Fellowship Bible Church of Conway. If you have read “The Shack”, then you know the impact of this book.  We were able to spend the evening getting to know the author and have insight to how the story of “The Shack” was created. With our spirits lifted, a few tears shed, and autographs signed, we were able to connect and show that God works through the availability of people. 

This fund raiser was presented to our board a few months ago.  Only a few of us had read the book at the time. But, we knew this idea was a good one.  We knew that people were drawn to the book and we could really branch out in the community.  This would our first big event of such caliber.  Over 400 people bought tickets and supported the event. The church was packed!  During these last few months, our board had worked to get all the details taken care of. As with any event, we had our share of problems, all which turned into great opportunities.  One thing was clear from the beginning – we wanted God to be glorified with this event. 

Wm Paul Young is an amazing speaker with an awesome love for the Lord.  He talked to everyone as if they are a dear friend, never a stranger.  Not only did Paul speak about his personal struggles and the journey of his book, but he allowed us to ask questions and know him on a personal level.  He also provided hugs with warmth and love J

Our event was a success because God uses people that are available. None of us are skilled and organized enough to host this type of event. There were times we were all working in different directions and thought the event would never happen.  But, out of our ignorance, God created a perfect evening. We sold so many tickets, extra chairs were brought in.  We sold out of books. Volunteers came up and offered prayer and support for our residents. Donations exceeded our wildest dreams. 

Thank you all for supporting this event.  We appreciate each and every one of you.  And just remember the book of John the Baptist. He was not an extraordinary, well polished or kept man.  But, he knew God would use him and he was available to do God’s work.  Our board was able to learn the lesson of availability while hosting this event.  We are open and ready for the next task!! 

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.”                                                               John 4:7