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

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday afternoon, 4:47.  Although we don't start non-resident hours until 5:00 pm, we've already handed out 3 food boxes.  I've taken names of 2 families, 2 single women and 3 single men to add to the waiting list today.  It's miserable hot outside - I'm sad that anyone has to worry about where they'll spend the night and what they'll have to eat. 

I thank God, that for this time in my life, I'm able to help these people.  I know that any single event could put me in need of the services we offer at BH, but for now, I'm the helper, not the helpee. 

It's 5:00 pm, on the dot, and we have a family in the back starting the washer.  (Did you know that people can come here and do their laundry between the hours of 5-7pm daily?)  And, there's already 6 extra people here for dinner.  In the next few minutes, we'll have at least 4 more show up.  Sometimes we have more like 20 extras for dinner.  When you add that to our 15 residents, our dining room gets pretty crowded.   But, it's a constant and our homeless and hungry neighbors rely on it.  

Tonight they're having marinated and baked chicken and cooked snap peas, bell peppers,  tomatoes and rice.  It's smelling really good in my office and it's time for me to go home.  By the way, since I've started typing this little note, we've had two more come for dinner, and two more food boxes leave the house.  

We couldn't do anything without the support of this community - thank you!

Judi

 

 

It’s a normal, busy, rushed Monday.  Lots of phone calls, several visitors and a few residents at home.  I’m happy to be at work, at the very place God has for me.  I’m happy to encourage others, to be of service, to listen and to learn. 

 

Speaking of happy, I’m happy that someone has made this “Happiness Happens Month”.  What a wonderful idea!  So, today, I’m going out of my way to do something special for someone I don’t really know.  Maybe I’ll pay for their lunch or their coffee if they’re behind me in the drive through.  Maybe I’ll send a card to a random address.  Possibly I’ll purchase a plant and leave on a doorstep.  But whatever I do, I want it to bring a smile to their face and a little happiness in their step. 

 

And, in our House Meeting today, where we meet with all our residents, we’ll encourage them to do something special to make someone else a little happier! 

Guest Blogger - Leah Carvajal

As a Psychology & Social Services major at CBC, I am required to complete 120 hours of internship experience to get my degree. When the end of last semester came, it dawned on me that with only three semesters left before graduation, I needed to go ahead and get that internship done before my time ran out.  I didn’t have any idea what my options were as far as where I could go, so I asked my advisor to place me wherever he thought best. He made some calls, and sent me off to the Bethlehem House.

 

I had no idea what to expect. I wasn’t even really sure what the Bethlehem House was, except I knew it was some kind of homeless shelter. I figured I’d come, copy some papers, serve some food, and be done 120 hours later. However, my experience here turned out to be very different than I expected.

 

I learned a lot during my 120 hours. I learned practical things like how the house runs, what the rules are, and just kind of got a good feel of what having a career at a place like this would be like. I really enjoyed getting to know the staff and volunteers. They are all wonderful people with a hearts for the residents, and they set a very good example for me.

 

But I truly feel that the best part of my experience came from the time I spent with the residents. Getting to know them forced me to completely redefine the concept of being homeless. Being homeless does not necessarily mean living on the street. And you do not always become homeless because you are lazy and choose not to work. Any single unexpected event can lead to homelessness, whether it be a job layoff, an illness, or a powerful addiction. We are all human. We all have battles. And sometimes we just need a little help, encouragement, or even strict house rules to help us get back on our feet and out into the world. We are not to judge. We are to show the love of Christ to all people. There is no difference between me and the homeless, except that I happen to have a roof over my head tonight.

 

And I must say that the most fun part of my experience was the Vacation Bible School that we did in the back yard. The children here were such a joy and an inspiration to me throughout my experience.  They are so carefree. They do not know that they live in a “transition house.” They are not concerned about finding a job or finding childcare or saving money. They are just so happy that they have an awesome backyard and always have someone to play with. They worry about nothing, and they trust their parents with everything. The more time I spend with them, the more I see what it means to have a “childlike faith.” If someone were to ask me what I thought the greatest need at this house is, I would say that we need people to be praying daily for every child that passes through this house. They are our future. Someday one of them may be running this place, or moving back in here with their own children. They have so much potential, and we must be praying.

 

I am so thankful that this is where the Lord brought me for my internship. It has been an invaluable experience, and I have been blessed by everyone here.

 

-Leah Carvajal

 

 

Time to Party!

It was his birthday.  He lived in a homeless shelter.  He expected no one to remember.  After all, he was turning 57.  It was just another day – right?  Wrong.  It’s not just another day.  It's time for a celebration!  It's a time for friends.  It’s a day to remember and honor and be thankful for the life of this soul God has placed in our midst.  So, Happy Birthday JP!  I hope it was wonderful and one you’ll never forget.  

Okay, I run a homeless shelter.  And, I love it.  I LOVE IT.  I love the people, I love knowing I can make a difference in someone's life, I love the challenge, I love the hopeless, I love my job.  But, some days are just harder for me.  Take Monday. I'm sitting in my nice, comfy office, working away and a woman, in her mid-thirties comes in.  She's looking for a refrigerator.  One of the guys that works for me had told her he would have one here for her yesterday.  Apparently, she and her husband recently moved into a new house on three acres. They have 4 kids, and at least 2 of them with special needs. The house didn't come with a refrigerator or stove.  And, before they were able to get one, her husband got laid off.  

So, she puts her last $ 3 in gas for their truck and skip taking the kids to school, because they couldn't afford to do that and come here.  And, off they head to pick up their new used fridge.  But, oh... the fridge wasn't here.  See my worker guy's truck was stolen and he didn't have a chance to get the fridge.  So, I broke the news to here....and she CRIED!!  OH MY!!!  It's Monday, she isn't supposed to be crying in my office over a stinking fridge and only a little bit of gas and her special needs kids and her husband's layoff.  And, while I have a heart for those in need, I really don't give them money.  But, she was crying and she didn't have a refrigerator and she had 4 kids, at least two with special needs, and her husband lost his job, AND, in my opinion, life just wasn't being fair to her.  

So, I dig around in my purse and find $ 20 to give her for gas.  And, my mind starts running to and fro trying to figure out where we can find a refrigerator, and then it comes to me - there's one in the kitchen!  So, I gave it to her.  Yep, emptied that thing and had her husband haul it out of here.   Now, before you think I'm so wonderful and giving, you have to understand, we do have two commercial refrigerators.  And, don't tell my board I'm giving away furniture and appliances out of the house, just know that sometimes God gives us a chance to make a difference in the life of the downtrodden and beat up - jump at it!  It's amazing what a little extra space in the kitchen does to fill up the spaces in your heart!

I’m about to be a grandmother for the very first time and I am so excited I can hardly wait!  Every other thought that runs through my mind is about this precious baby girl my son and his wife are bringing into the world.  I pray for her spiritual, physical and emotional health.  I pray for her to know Christ at a very young age.  I pray for her future husband.  I pray that I’ll get to hold her all the time.  I pray that I can be the grandmother that she deserves and that God expects.  And I pray for her parents.

Recently I attended a baby shower for this bundle of joy and her mom.  It was wonderful!  The decorations were beautiful, the food was abundant.  Long time friends and family were everywhere.  And the gifts…well let me tell you about the gifts.  I think it took over an hour to simply open them.  This granddaughter of mine received so many gifts that there is no way she’ll be able to wear everything or use everything before she’s outgrown it.  So much love went into this blessed event.

This week, we had a baby shower for one of our residents.  Her baby is due one week before my granddaughter and it’s also a girl.  The food was great, the decorations very pretty.  There wasn’t any family there and all the friends were people she’s met at the Shelter in the last 30 days.  And the gifts….well, let me tell you about the gifts.  She loved them!  She opened about 7 bags containing 5 or 6 outfits, 8 pair of socks, some headbands, a used car seat, a couple of blankets, bottle brushes and a couple of pacifiers.  I might have forgotten a little something, but this covered about everything.  She cried because she was so happy and she didn’t expect to have any help with this event.  We all wanted to cry with her.  

I’m at the Shelter and experience sad, sad stories of people in need almost every day.  But these two baby showers reminded me, once again, there are so many people in need.  And in order to truly bless them, we don’t have to do a whole lot.  It just takes a little time, a little effort, a little money and a whole lot of love and prayer!  

Please take a moment to say a prayer for this precious little one that’s coming home from the hospital to a homeless shelter.  Pray for her young mother, and her ‘big’ brother that’s not quite 2 years old.  Pray for their spiritual, physical and emotional health and ask God to bless them abundantly!

Judi Lively – G-ma to be!