By all appearances, *Lauren carried on her days and nights like everyone else. But she carried the weight of her homelessness in secrecy, borne by years of abuse, affliction, and isolation.
Lauren learned to hide her wounds well. In early morning she showered at the local gym. She sometimes slept in her car, and on the rare night she had enough money, a motel.
While Lauren struggled through the thicket of self-preservation, people she didn’t yet know were praying for her. People in the community shared their blessings with their money, their energy and their expertise for women and men like Lauren who would seek haven at the GRACE.
This Christmas you helped answer the prayer made many lonely nights in the back of a car.
On this night, and every night after that, Lauren will sleep in her bedroom. She’ll wake up and shower and make breakfast in her kitchen. She’ll unload on the couch, taking in the sweet blessing of having a home for the holidays.
As you spend time opening gifts with your family this Christmas, think about the gifts your support has provided that doesn’t fit under the tree.
Continue to pray for families and individuals who feel downtrodden this Christmas, and pray that God shows you ways you can be an answer to someone else’s prayer in our community.
On behalf of Lauren, and the estimated 5,000 family members that have been able to receive food, clothing, shelter, medical attention, education and hope because of your generosity:
“May the Lord bless you and protect you.
The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord lift up his face to you and grant you peace.”-Numbers 6:24-26
*Client name changed to preserve identity
