SEPTEMBER UPDATE!

FALL IS IN THE AIR! 

It's been a very hectic and busy month with both Redeemed and Ladder of Hope. Thank you for the continued prayers!  @ Redeemed - we lost a staff member to maternity leave, finding out she sadly won't be returning in the near future, new residents and a shortage of volunteers. We trust God to provide and indeed He has.  We met with and hired a new staff member who starts September 7th! She brings with her a gift of meal planning & shopping which is much needed.  We had a resident leave our program at Redeemed on 9/4. It hurts our hearts when they choose to leave, but we can't want their recovery more for them they do for themselves. We love all our residents new and old and will continue to pray for them, knowing we planted seeds of love. We continue to pray for our current, graduated and future residents that God brings our way. We live life with these ladies!  If you are interested in taking a tour, volunteering or just have a chat over tea, I would love that!

@ Ladder of Hope, construction and remodeling has been a full-time operation getting ready for residents. We're excited to say, 4 men moved into the home on Friday 9/4. This house can sleep 8 men and we know it will fill up fast. Continue to pray for these men and they begin their journey to a new life.

UPDATE ON US

We have a couple of fun and exciting things coming up!  On Saturday 9/12, our oldest son Jimmy was married!  Time spent with family was good, the wedding was beautiful yet emotional. This was Pastor Jim's (dad) first wedding.  We are asking for your continued prayers for Jimmy & Ella as they begin their life together along with his 2 kids and her 3 kids as they become a family.  

Then on Saturday 9/19, we are leaving for a work / rest vacation trip to California!  There is a ministry in Los Angeles called Homeboys Industries. It's similar to BLOC and a place we've wanted to visit for some time. Here's a link to learn more about them. Homeboys Industries. We got a great COVID deal on flights so off we decided to go. While there we plan to visit Karen's aunt (mom's sister & family) who also live near LA. Then we plan to have some R&R, just us, which is what we are most looking forward to. We return on Saturday 9/26. We can't wait to share what we learn. Father Greg Boyle started Homeboys 30+ years ago, and is the author of 2 really good books, which we both have read.  Tattoos of the Heart & Barking to the Choir, if you are in the market for some good reading :) 

"Homeboys Industries is the largest gang related rehabilitation and re-entry program in the world. For over 30 years, we have stood as a beacon of hope in Los Angeles to provide training and support to formerly gang-involved and previously incarcerated men and women, allowing them to redirect their lives and become contributing members of our community."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As inner-city missionaries, we seek God daily asking for prayers as we do His work here in Price Hill, but also for partners.  Some of you have asked how we are doing financially with our support.  We are humbled and grateful for what we receive. Currently we are at around 50% of what we need. PRAISE GOD!  BLOC is decreasing our current salaries so as time continues we will continue to trust God to provide. We don't want for anything, because He provides all we need!  If you would like to hear more about our adventures right here in a vital neighborhood in Cincinnati, we would love to schedule a time to meet. Please reach out! Our contact information is located on the sidebar of this blog. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

JIM'S LADDER OF HOPE UPDATE:

As BLOC Ladder of Hope partners more closely with the LIT Movement (Living in Testimony) as mentioned, moved 4 men plus a house manager into the house over the 9/7 weekend, as we're writing this blog we had an orientation for a couple more guys that will be moving into LIT #1 today as he was released from the CAT House. It so incredible how bad the need is for men in recovery. They must be serious about their recovery to be able to come into our houses.  It's a Christ-centered program and the accountability is HIGH!!  The LIT Movement has been doing this longer and has a successful program so it was natural partnership for us to join together for the Kingdom!!  To be there for these guys is PRICELESS for me!  God has orchestrated this season in my life to an amazing perfection that continues to blow me away on a literal daily basis!!  There is no doubt this is His will for my life!  

As I've been visiting 3 guys in the Justice Center. Robert prayed to accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior!  These guys have started bringing their Bibles so we can go over scripture during our visits!  They are starting to PAY IT FORWARD to other cell mates who are starting to ask them to pray for them when their court dates come up!!  Then their cell mates are asking to meet with me...  it's so HUMBLING!!  Praise Him as I try to...#BeAvailable!   

One of our ladies on staff at BLOC that does jail visitation for the women inmates sent me a text after she visited ladies and let me know that men that are related to them are in the J/C and would appreciate a visit from me if I could... breaks my heart how the cycle seems to never end...  they NEED Jesus!!  Please pray for me as God prepares the way for me to reach them for His Glory!!  

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MORE FROM KAREN FOR A REDEEMED HOME UPDATE:

Most of you know Katie, a current resident in Phase 3. She is such a blessing. This month she got her driver's license and a friend found her a car that was gifted to her!!!  HUGE! Katie is traveling to Florida with a staff member's family for some R&R later in September, her first trip to see the ocean / beach.  She is planning her exit strategy and is looking to graduate in October. We couldn't be more excited for her future! Please join us in praying for her as she takes a giant leap into living in an apartment (close by) and begins living life more on her own. We know she will always be a close part of our Redeemed / BLOC family. Watch for her 'wish list' for her new apartment coming soon! 

This is family. Showing our ladies new fun things, having adventures and sharing the hope we have!  If you would like to donate to help fund some resident fun activities, let's chat! 

Our Aruna 5k group and a day out on the river was super fun! 

The Aruna Project creates lifelong freedom through employment marked by holistic care to sexually enslaved women. To learn more: https://arunaproject.com/the-cause/

2020 Labor Day cook out and our weekly Bible study night! 

Thank you for your continued prayers & support! 

We love what we do but look forward to some R&R and an adventure out west!