Saturday's Ministry

Today we are working with House of Hope, reaching out to the neediest in the area delivering clothing and food donated by Gain. Each small group (5 groups today using all of our interpreters) and a representative from HofH will visit 3 families. We were able to spend a little time at each place just visiting and sharing the love of Chirst with them while delivering the aid.
Their stories vary from having a single parent with a small income that doesn't meet medical and food bills with a disabled child (whom does not receive a government disablity check becasue she has not yet be classified as to what is specifically wrong with her), to one working for the railroad and not knowing if she will have a job much longer to another who's job has not paid them in 3 months - they keep working though because there is a hope they will get paid vs not having a job and for certain not getting paid.
Our first and second families were in the same building. No elevator, walking up to the 3rd and 4th floors. Then into a common area shared by 5 families - one kitchen, one bathroom, shared by these 5 families and the rooms off the common area being 10x14 for two twin beds that are shared and everything they own crammed into this space. Both of these families have 3 children at home. The second family we learned has a son who was at a boarding house (sanitorium) for mentally disabled young that we had visited this week.
Dasha and her one brother Vitaly road in the mini bus with us back towards the HofH kids center after our visit so they could have some lunch.
The 3rd family we visited has 4 children and one of them diabled. The mama works very hard to keep her family well and together, but it is hard for her having to stay at home to care for her disabled daughter. The two youngest kids 11 & 12 made a card for each of us - which is really special to me since it is one of my hobbies. Before leaving I was honored to be able to hold one of their new puppies! I would say just about 4 weeks old with eyes just open, but not yet walking or weaned from mama dog.
Please keep House of Hope in your prayers. The community outreach and compassion they have is outstanding and my prayer is for provision to them so they can continue loving people for Christ.