Thursday, January 14, 2021

INVESTMENT. INTENTIONAL. OBEY.

It’s truly hard to believe it’s been 1 year, 12 whole months since we started our missionary, newsletter writing, support raising journey. We are blessed beyond anything we could have imaged to this point as God continues to bless us. Being a part of our team, we are so humbled by your willingness and generosity for you to invest your hard earned time, talents and treasures on us.  God is doing amazing work here in Price Hill and surrounding communities and we still find it hard to believe we are a part of it, much less doing it together as a couple. If you know anything about our story, you’ll laugh with us!

2020 as been said a billion times, was a hard year, yet it was a good, maybe one of the best for our ministry. Redeemed Home residents have grown in their journeys so much through all of this, been given so many opportunities and none of that relationship building stopped, it couldn’t—as we live life with these ladies and men. For the LIT program—the houses are filled and the men’s lives being changed is incredible. The visits in jail are nothing short of watching miracles unfold. It’s humbling and we’re both so grateful to be here and beyond thankful for each and everyone of YOU, our team members, supporters, prayer partners, BLOC team mates, volunteers we get to work with, etc.

SO, here we are in 2021, pressing forward and looking forward to more lives being changed. We are asked every year to pray about a ‘word from the Lord’ to focus on through-out the year.

This year, my word, (Karen), is Intentional. My verse to focus on is Ephesians 5:15-17 which says, [ESV] “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of my time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is!”

This work can be very rewarding and very hard. I’m learning more each day that I have to be intentional with my time. This work can over take me not leaving time for my marriage, family, time with God, friends, myself, meal planning, exercise, church, simply because I’m exhausted physically and emotionally. Intentional! Ask me how I’m doing when you see me, hold me accountable! 

Jim’s word is Obey. James 1:22 “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves”  As I breeze through this life of ministry, we hear the word of God     everyday but don’t always apply (OBEY) what we hear.   He is making it clear to me this year Obey is what He is  saying to me!!


We encourage you to pray about a word from the Lord for yourself, to focus on in all areas of your life. 

It can be life changing, it has been for us.


We spent the holidays celebrating His birth with a quiet family gathering with our kids and grands, a fun outside trip at the The Ark Encounter to see the beautiful lights, The Creation Museum Christmas Walk, where Jim got to try something new in ziplining which he says was a blast! We celebrated birthdays and moved my parents into a new hopingly much better facility.




Men's & Jail Ministry Update from Jim...

My days seem to get away from me these days. As God  continues to bring more men to visit in the Justice Center and   me helping to take care of the daily needs of the men in the current LIT Houses (10 men in each of the 2 houses) and our 3rd house is now ready to take on another 8-10,  it’s a lot of work both physically and mentally. With all these guys, I help get their ID’, run them to job interviews, etc.  This leads me to  a prayer request.  God brought me my pickup truck (which can only safely haul 1 maybe 2) 4yrs ago for the season of the print shop so that I could haul inventory around. Now the season is that I need a different type of SUV/car to haul more guys around. If you could be in prayer for the sale of my truck as well as a vehicle to replace it. 

My visits to the Justice Center have been emotionally uplifting for the guys when I meet with them. No family or anyone is allowed in for visits now. I can go in because I am clergy.  Any hope I can give them, letting them know that we are here for them, that God loves them has been quite a blessing to be a part of. To be able to go in the jail letting them know we can be a resource to them once they get out has been 



Redeemed Home update from Karen...

The holidays were great! The ladies of Redeemed were gifted with lots of fun gifts, games, cards, had movie nights and other fun activities. They felt truly blessed.



January for them is a much needed back to regular programming as they are working hard at their goals.

Covid did hit a couple of our staff during the holidays and even now, and that’s been hard. The ladies miss seeing the staff during their stay at home healing time, but we are being extra safe, taking every precaution keeping ourselves and our residents healthy and safe.

We currently have 3 residents at Redeemed 2 (our phase 1 house), and 2 at Redeemed 1 (phase 2 & 3 house).  At the beginning of January, one of our residents; Olivia, moved to another program very much like ours, called The Madonna House in northern KY.  WHY?  Liv is expecting a baby and Redeemed Home, sadly isn’t equipped for babies and kids at this time.  That doesn’t mean she has left us. She will continue with her job at BLOC Coffee Company as well as the BLOC Letter Press. She’ll come to our weekly family meal and Bible study, continue to meet with her amazing Life Coach and financial mentors and plans to graduate Redeemed program. Each case is different, which is what is so great about our program. Each resident has different needs and goals. Our job is to help them get there!

Also later this month, resident Lauren will be graduating.  Just as I’m writing this, her application for her 1st very own apartment was accepted. Her graduation date will be Friday, January 29. Details soon! She is staying in the area to continue to be a part of our community. We are super excited for her. She will be our 6th graduate! 

We have open spots and we wait with anticipation for God to send us whom He believes needs us. Stephanie (program director) and myself go to court to meet potential applicants, we get phone calls and emails from women wanting information.  Pray for us to have discernment. As the BLOC team prays daily for God to send the right people.

We continue to seek volunteers, mostly weekends but often a weekday day or evening shift we need extra support. If that is something you may be interested in,  I’d LOVE to chat. 

Continued needs for Redeemed:  Ongoing needs @ Redeemed, are simple every day things like toilet paper, paper towels, Clorox wipes, laundry soap, dryer sheets, hand soap, zip lock baggies (gallon and sandwich), Lysol spray and cleaning products, tampons, socks and ladies underwear (sizes 6 - 10). 


            Thank you for your prayers, support & love. Thank you for INVESTING in us!

 

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