@powertochange:

Come with me

Written by Ann Elawa

December 10, 2013

Shelly and Lenore met Sue one night at our community centre outreach dinner. Sue mentioned her plan to travel to the interior soon by bus, and Shelly offered to pray for her. The prayers included not only a good trip, but open doors and guidance at her destination and deliverance from the results of some poor choices in her life.

Meanwhile, Lenore was just preparing to leave, when she felt God send her back to do a hand spa treatment for Sue, whom she had interacted with before at the outreach. As they spoke, Lenore invited her to a special service at her church the next day, and followed it up with a call to see if Sue needed a ride to the service. Glad for this offer, Sue asked if there was room for her to bring a friend. Before evening, she had called back to ask for rides for herself and three others – which Lenore gladly arranged, even though it meant recruiting another person to drive a second car!

These four newcomers at first felt hesitant about participating in the service, but gradually began to relax, especially since Sue had built some measure of trust in Lenore through the community dinner evenings. Lenore was also able to connect her with a church member who had spent some time living on the streets and could identify with Sue’s situation, and this was another step on Sue’s willingness to open her life to God. Three of the four visitors returned to church a second time, and before Sue finally left on her trip, Lenore reports that “God’s love just overwhelmed her.”

Lenore keeps in touch with Sue by phone, and is praising God that these three formerly homeless people now have an apartment together and at least one has found a job. God is at work, meeting needs and drawing people into relationship with Jesus, as our volunteers obey him to pray, build relationships and show his love in practical ways.