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By Joan Harvey, Family Growth Program participant
I thank God for everything-good and bad-in my life;
He truly has been good to me. I hold on tightly to my
faith for "without faith it is impossible to please
God, for he who comes to God must believe that He exists
and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him."
Hebrews 11:6
The youngest of 12 children, I didn't have much guidance
growing up. No one ever took the time to tell me, "Don't
talk like that. Don't sit like that," and most
importantly, "I love you." My dad passed away
when I was
7-years-old and my mom when I was barely 17. None of
my family or "loved ones" ever took the time
to see if I needed anything; all I ever heard were negative
things. Feelings of unworthiness preoccupied my life
until numerous years later, I actually began to believe
the feelings. So being orphaned and hurt, I sought to
belong somewhere only to be welcomed with open arms
by the wrong crowd.
I tried marriage, and well, like they say, "It
takes two to make it work" so I raised two sons-now
ages 22 and soon to be 8-as a single parent. My life
had become crazy, out of control and I was totally ashamed
of myself. I found myself running away from everything
I owned to keep myself free and to be allowed to continue
raising my youngest son, Lucas. Finally, I got to the
point where I was sick and tired of waking up sick and
tired.
Early one morning, I went to my knees and prayed for
an extreme life change. As a child, my mother took me
to church and talked with me about religion. But it
wasn't very encouraging so little did I know that my
prayers would be taken seriously. Then BAM!! Three months
later the answer came!
I am so thankful for Good Samaritan Urban Ministries!
It has allowed me to live comfortably, feeling loved
and free. When I learned about their Family Growth Program,
I knew immediately that I had to get in. I called every
day for three months. Twice, other candidates were selected
over me but by God's grace these other two moms never
showed up to move into the apartment, so I got it!
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I am so blessed to have been allowed to be a part of
the program but most of all I feel safe, secure, and
yes…loved. The residents and staff here are wonderful
family. While the end of my live-in participation at
Good Samaritan (two years in the program) approaches,
I am ready to face the world. Best of all, I am leaving
much better off than upon my arrival here. I have confidence,
self-esteem and material possessions. My wacky sense
of humor has even returned! As I move out and move on,
it is reassuring to know that the option of Aftercare
is available. I can not believe how blessed I am! Thank
you everyone!
Joan's Mantra: Six Step Process to Change My Life
1. Changing my thinking will change my beliefs.
2. Changing my beliefs will change my expectations.
3. Changing my expectations will change my attitude.
4. Changing my attitude will change my behavior.
5. Changing my behavior will change my performance.
6. Changing my performance will change my life.
By Denise Martin-Foley
The last year-and-a-half has brought about significant
changes organizationally to Good Samaritan Urban Ministries.
But thank God his purposes never change (I the Lord
do not change. Malachi 3:6a); they will stand for eternity!!
He calls the body of Christ to participate in his great
commission. Despite the many adjustments we have had
to make over these past months, God has continued all
along to allow us to take part in accomplishing his
purposes here on earth.
It has been an exciting first few months in my new
role with the ministry as Executive Director, and very
busy! God is presenting many opportunities in the area
of partnerships, programming, funding, volunteer assistance,
and much more. We have been blessed with the financial
resources to be used specifically for consulting assistance
to help us stabilize the ministry's infrastructure.
Steps are being taken to put the Youth Campus back
on the radar screen. We have conducted several focus
groups-two for adults and two for youth - to idea-share
as we begin to realize the vision of the Youth Campus.
New and old "friends" came together, bringing
a number of new ideas to the table and confirming many
old dreams. A report on the outcomes of our sessions
has been prepared and presented to the Board of Directors.
Their task and that of ministry leadership will be to
bring into focus the "core," in order to establish
the program, strategic plan, and various phases for
acquiring the funds needed to carry out the vision.
We are seeing great growth in families, especially
spiritually in the mothers we serve through our Family
Growth Program. This one- to two-year Christ-centered
program is designed specifically to meet each family's
needs as we progress them toward stabilized living.
Two mothers are leaving us in May/June as they come
to the end of their stay here, having successfully completed
their service support plan. We will all be sad to see
them go but praise God for allowing us to be part of
their transformation process!
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With the assistance of volunteers-individuals and groups-we
continue to make progress-albeit somewhat slow-towards
readying apartments in our 8th Street building, previously
used for emergency housing. We welcome more volunteer
labor-skilled and unskilled-to complete the work so
we can respond to the many requests from families needing
our services. Another great need in the area of apartments
is the Adopt-an-Apartment sponsorship for families already
in our program and the new mothers and children who
will come in the near future. (More information on this
volunteer opportunity is available by contacting Elizabeth
Spragg at 283-0818 ext. 103. Read about it on our web
site at www.goodsamaritan-dsm.org/newsletter/February_04/February2004_index.html.
Thanking God for you!
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