TRANSITIONS

Transitions are not always easy on the heart.  At BLOC, we lost several staff members for new ministry opportunities. At Redeemed, we had a staff member step down to focus on her growing family. We promoted a current staff to be House Manager, we received 3 new residents and were able to reopen our phase 3 home and moved in two residents.  For Lit - men come and go, ready or not. Change is not always bad, often can be the best thing ever! We ask for continued prayers as we walk through transitions with the men and women we minister to, along with walking through life with and caring for our aging parents and dealing with our own health concerns. 

Redeemed Home update from Karen…

June brings transition. Staff member Hope, stepped up to take the House Manager position at Redeemed 2 (Phase 1 and 2 home). We are super excited for this journey and growth this will bring. With that, we were able to re-open Redeemed 1 (Phase 3 home). We moved 2 residents there last week. They are both in phase 3, which means this is a practice run with more independence yet still accountability and programming to follow. I will be the House Manager there as we continue to seek more staff to take that role. Please pray for Amy and Christine during the next few months as they work through their final stages  before graduation. Mollie who is also in Phase 3, chose to remain at R2 to be a leader. She plans to graduate in August, so please pray for her as she steps out more into what her future will look like. We are beyond blessed to travel these roads with these women.

We do have 3 newer residents (all came in May), who are in Phase 1, all about a month into our program and really doing well. Pray for them. Michelle, Tiffany and Nala. 

Stephanie, Redeemed Director, has built a great relationship with the Drug Court Judge, who loves what we are doing. We are hopeful to partner more with them as she releases inmates to us as we have openings. It’s fun watching God open doors as the word gets out more and more of how the ladies come to us and are transformed!

In May, we celebrated 3 years with Tonya. She is strong and determined. She graduated a year ago, lives in her own apartment, enjoys her kids and grandkids, and has a great job with Wesley Community Services where she works hard serving seniors who get Meals on Wheels. Each milestone is celebrated because every day is a day they choose to stay on the narrow path! Congrats to Tonya!  Tonya, YOU are so loved! We continue to support, help when needed and encourage our grads!

 

 Men’s & Jail Ministry with Jim...

There has been so much going on lately.  Honestly, it’s been so heavy on my heart with all the junk that’s been going on in our community and with all of the people we deal with on a daily basis. The enemy is having his way with so many people on the streets and the ones that we are trying to help. The amount of overdoses and deaths that surround us is overwhelming and has personally taken a toll on me the last couple weeks.  But…God has used a couple people from our staff to highly encourage me to take a Sabbath day last Friday and He spoke to me in a powerful way!  Yes, the world seems to be crumbling around us BUT…the Holy Spirit put on my heart this morning, this verse from John 16:33  I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation. But, take heart, I have overcome the world!!  Yes, I’ve heard that verse a hundred times as well, but this time it dug deep into my soul.  Somehow it’s given me a new set of lenses to look through, The enemy LOSES IN THE END!!!  I needed to hear that from the Lord, and as usual…HE DELIVERS in HIS timing, not mine!!  Please continue to pray for me to know when to say no to even the good things and yes to His best for me! God is moving in so many ways in our lives and it’s easy to get wrapped up and exhausted.  The BLOC leadership is very aware of these concerns and they make sure that we have plenty of opportunities to get away and recharge.  I thank God for their leadership and their desire to follow the Holy Spirit and His leading! 

At this point we have several openings for men that desire recovery at our LIT Houses.  It’s been a weird several months that a couple residents felt that they don’t need the program anymore.  It never fails that we’ll hear how the bad choices start again and they’re back on the streets.  It’s so hard to watch. We can’t want it more than they do. 

We started a big project at the 3rd LIT House in the back yard.  Tyler (Exec, Director) and Josh (House Director) got all the guys together last Saturday and worked all day to clean up the back yard that required a lot of digging to put a patio and big firepit and eventually a pergola on the back of the house so they can have some get togethers and just have fun around the pit.  Living in community helps the guys get through a lot of their struggles that they deal with and certainly the accountability is much needed. 

Family Updates:

Jim had a little scare and spent a couple of days at the VA hospital in May. The doctors took him off a medication that was making his heart rate average around 45 bpm, making him feel dizzy, light-headed and no energy. After a few days off this medication he feels back to his normal energized self. Praise!

Teddy is now nearly 4 months old and is very energetic, but just so cute. The ladies at Redeemed love when he comes over for cuddles!

Karen’s parents are doing okay. Dad is in a steady decline on memory, understanding and communication. It’s hard to see him this way. Mom remains positive even though every single day is spent in her chair depending on someone to do 95% of everything for and with her. Visits are hard. They look good and happy, but inside just sad. Please continue to pray for them.

A prayer answered and a huge blessing! Allison (our daughter) is now a part-time staff member with Redeemed Home! She works 1 evening a week and fills in other times when she can. She enjoys the residents, helps out with hair cuts, organizing donations and meal prep for Bible study night. I cannot tell you how it fills my heart to walk along side my daughter in ministry. She is growing and learning and we get to do this together. Her day job is with Allie’s Walkabout—a Doggie Daycare :)  Her boys Hunter (11) and Connor (9) are amazing little men.

 

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), Coffee pods & regular coffee, Lysol spray and cleaning products, tampons (variety sizes), socks and ladies underwear (sizes 6 - 10).   Another way would be to sponsor a resident for an activity or outing. If you’d like to help, please reach out!

We can not thank you enough for INVESTING in us and in the Price Hills community. These men and women need you just as much as they need us!  We are here because of your generosity and prayers!
We would LOVE to give you a tour of our ministries and of BLOC Ministries—as there is much to see!

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you. Colossians 1:3

We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers. 1 Thessalonians 1:2