“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” - Mark 12:30-31
A young woman came into LCM for assistance back in May of this year. Christie and her three daughters were homeless, struggling to get back on their feet and without hope. A ministry staffer learned during the meeting that she was a trained surgical technician who let her license expire after losing her last job. She felt Christie was a strong candidate for help through the Work/Trade Program. Christie was accepted into the program and Lighthouse committed to pay for her study materials and expensive test fee if she met certain conditions. Christie kept her word and scheduled her test.
The day before the test, the staffer called to confirm she was all set for the next day only to learn that Christie was again homeless, without a car, overdrawn at the bank and had no way to drive to Houston for the test. After some discussion, it was decided LCM would provide her transportation to Houston. Upon picking her up, she was very nervous and studied the entire trip. Her mind was very distracted due to her current situation and the mentor began questioning whether we made the right decision in investing in her at all. The whole ride there, she was filled with doubt and hopelessness. Her situation seemed so grim – it was surprising she was in the car on her way to the testing facility.
When they arrived, the Lighthouse staffer said, “we have to pray.” She agreed, and they prayed for God to bring all the information to her remembrance as she takes the exam. The test was scheduled to last four hours, but just two hours later the phone rang. The person on the line was crying hysterically. The staffer knew it had to be Christie and it had to be bad news. She finally gained enough composure to tell her new friend she finished the test early. Christie said, “I passed, God answered our prayers!”
The Lighthouse mentor picked up a changed person that afternoon. She cried more tears of joy than anyone had ever seen, and she kept thanking God. This young woman, who was so hopeless that morning, was now filled with great hope for her future. However, the journey isn’t over. Christie is now attending job fairs and interviews. The Lighthouse staff member also learned a great deal through this situation. She learned that people are worth taking a chance on, and sharing God’s love and hope is a game changer. Please join us in praying for God to continue to guide this family into a healthy future.
This season as we celebrate our blessings and give thanks for His provision, at Lighthouse Christian Ministries we are giving thanks for you. By simple acts of generosity, we have seen this commandment come to life. Many of you went shopping this season and purchased a Thanksgiving meal for someone that would have had none. Others have volunteered time to hand out groceries, to make a meal for a senior, to serve in one of our program areas, or to work in the community garden. Many have given a donation out of the overflow of their hearts to keep our programs operating throughout the year or donated a sweater to meet a recent need for some of our seniors. We are grateful for you and thankful that you have “loved your neighbor as yourself”.
Thank You!!
