On Monday, Community Life launched our 1st missional partnership – 7 organizations working together to relationally share the gospel in word and action with unsheltered neighbors on Military Tr. (near Forest Hill Blvd).

As we were opening on Monday at 9am, my grandson and I, along with Laura and Shirley (both from Community of Hope – 1 of our partner organizations), and Nora (from Tabernaculo Internacional – another partner organization) were led in prayer for our unsheltered neighbors by Millie (from Iglesia New Life – another of our partner organizations).

24 hours later our volunteers welcomed a man named Pedro. Pedro had been invited by Joe, one of the members of Iglesia New Life, who had told him hot food would be available. Pedro also needed clothes and help to obtain his ID.

Pedro shared with the volunteers that after caring for one of his loved ones, he had returned from Puerto Rico. He had found one-day jobs that were hit or miss, but couldn’t find a place he could afford to live.

Sandra (from Living Word Christian Community, 1 of our partner organizations) gave him one of our Homeless Declarations so he could obtain an ID, and as he was leaving he mentioned he was a chef … which prompted our volunteers to give him the handout for cooking training and job careers. He was beyond excited! He was eager to come to church and found a day and time that worked for him.

Pastor Mike (from Bethel Assembly, still another partner organization) said Pedro came back to eat on Wednesday.

On Thursday Pedro returned to eat, sharing with Johnny (from Blueprints Church – you guessed it – another partner organization) he got his ID and a job cooking at $17/hour right on Military Trail!

I hope you are saying “Amen!” or “Hallelujah!” or some other words of praise to the God of unsheltered neighbors!