Recently, a volunteer sent us an email with praises from her day of serving. She ended the email with “thank you for allowing me to serve and to be part of the grace of God to our community.”  That sweet statement summarizes how we all feel to be able to serve together in this Kingdom ministry.

As a young woman stepped into the household area, she began to praise the Lord. Just as she started shopping, a new table top grill was being placed on the shelf. She had been praying for God to provide one for her household.  The needs in our community are great and varied. Our God is at work and delights to show His provision! What a blessing to watch Him work!

Recently, as the Good News of Jesus was shared on a public shopping day, the person giving the message led the guests through a calming prayer. Afterward, one of the guests approached a staff member to share how anxiety had melted off of her during the exercise.  She had arrived in a state of worry and panic, but after the message she felt the peace of God and knew she would be provided for, even before she started shopping.  She emphatically shared that she knew it was Jesus who gave her peace!

David stopped nearly all of the volunteers to thank them for being there and allowing him to shop. He explained that his work was cut back and he barely could pay the bills. There was no money to buy groceries. He was delighted with God’s provision for his family and wanted everyone to know how much he appreciated their being there.

A young mother and her little daughter, who was turning four, came to shop. The daughter was sleeping on a crib mattress that was too small for her. The volunteer prayed with the child for a ‘big girl bed.’ Mother and daughter (and volunteer) were so excited for them to receive a twin mattress and a huge birthday cake for her special day. God cares about every detail. What a blessing to be His instrument of blessing to families.

I was busy on the loading dock when a lady pulled up to donate gently used household items. She shared with me that 18 years ago, she was given the unexpected situation of raising her two grandsons. Both boys were tiny. Their dad, her son, wasn’t able to care for them. In those days, she learned about With Love From Jesus. We were, at the time, located in our first building on Chapel Hill Road. With tears streaming down her cheeks, she shared that the ministry enabled her to feed the boys. She laughed through the tears as she said,

COVID hit Wendy and her family hard. They were out of work for some time. As a result, they were behind on their rent and couldn’t get help through any agency because their friend’s name was on their lease.. They received prayer for God to make a way for them to get help. They were thankful to receive food, clothing and other practical help.

Marvin stopped with a personal need to ask the volunteer to pray for him. As they continued talking, the volunteer asked about his relationship with Christ. Marvin wasn’t sure how to answer the question. So the volunteer asked him, “Why would God allow you into heaven?” “I’m a good person,” was Marvin’s response. Gently and directly, the truth of no one being good enough to go to heaven and the simple truths of the gospel were shared. Marvin realized he wasn’t sure. He understood he needed to receive Christ. They prayed together and Marvin left with a real relationship with Christ.

On some of the days leading up to Christmas, there were stations set up around our buildings with racks of special treats for our guests to receive–toys, books, new book bags, craft items and new clothing. There were no squabbles over toys this year. Each guest was delighted to be able to shop and thankful for each volunteer that came allowing us to be open. Thankful hearts was definitely the theme over this Christmas shopping season!

The short but very focused message was about guilt. The prayer center filled up with people struggling with guilt who needed help. Jim, our prayer center volunteer, was incredibly busy. One gentleman in particular was struggling with his thought life. As he shared with Jim, it became apparent that he did not have a relationship with Jesus. He now understood he was trying to deal with something that he had no power to handle. Jesus is the source of power. Four people received Christ. They knew they had resource needs, but they came to understand that their spiritual need was even greater.