When You're Hot, you're Hot!

Boy, that's the understatement! Bill, Lynne, Casey and Toni came over before they left for the summer and were a tremendous help! Bill checked out/fixed the water heater for us, Lynne cleaned and made curtains, Casey made shelves and Toni cleaned and helped Ellen and Gayle get all the clothes back on racks. Ellen's smile is shining all the way to Heaven as she watches what God is doing and all the provisions He has made for Hands of Grace and A Brighter Day!

Danny and Junior painted my office (walls and flooring), put up window curtains and a curtain to hide supplies, brought in a desk, table, bookshelf, rug and chairs and made it a warm place to do counseling. We're now just waiting for the door, sound-proof board and AC and the counseling office will be done!

Doris and Steve are always there to lend a hand/truck to help pick up donations or any other need that arises. Thank you to everyone who donated items for the office! We had donations ranging from office supplies to furniture! We've also received household items that we can give to those who transition into a home to help them get started.

After the office project, we started on the main interior. Junior and Esperanza did a great job of moving all the clothing (one wall at a time), painting the wall and shelves and then putting it all back. It took several weeks to complete but looks great and (with the help of Lynne's curtains) is uplifting and inviting!

Danny has started working in the kitchen. This is an old house from the 40s! It actually had an "ironing closet". I remember seeing one somewhere in my youth. It's a little door on the wall that you opened and then an ironing board would pull down. The board was long gone, and it was a great place for a couple shelves for canned goods, so Danny took the door and frame out, replaced some of the wood, patched the wall and will finish the sanding today. We also have a new volunteer coming on, Micky (and Pokey). I'm looking forward to introducing her to the rest today. She will be following behind Danny on the kitchen project and give it a new, fresh coat of paint. Gayle is jumping up and down with excitement to see this room come together and get the kitchen organized!

Pam's back! YAY!!! This gal cleans circles around me and keeps me focused! For those that don't know me well, yes, I admit it, I can get off track. She's great at keeping me from derailing!!!!!

The ministry house is officially open on Thursdays and Fridays from 10:00-2:00, but I have been also opening up on Tuesdays for counseling. My days are spent helping people with ID, DES benefits, housing, bereavement counseling, transportation and any other assistance they need. By the end of summer, we hope to be open 4 days/week.

It's also VERY HOT here! We've been providing a couple of cold waters to every person coming in each day and have frozen popsicles to give out along with food, clothing, towels, etc. This time of the year towels and swimsuits help out because most of the folks on the street survive by spending a lot of time in the river. The city has now opened several "cooling stations" around town where they can go to get out of the heat. Although we do not have a lot of room for people to come and sit (at this time), we are directing people to those cooling sites and will provide transportation if needed.

It blesses my socks off to see what God is doing and to watch Him provide everything we need. I can't begin to tell you how wonderful it is to see Him changing lives, drawing people into the ministry and closer to Him and I praise Him for all that He is! It is a blessing to gather and start our day in prayer, pray with others when they come in and to spend our time sharing the Gospel and being the Hands and Feet of Christ!