Full transparency: I had another message planned for today's Ministry Memo. It was already loaded by our wonderful Communications Coordinator and ready to be sent.
Then our Intake Coordinator and I spoke on the phone late yesterday. After hearing about the seven needs currently before our small, mostly part-time staff, I got off the phone and simply prayed:
“God, we can only do what we can do. We need You to do the rest.”
Seven needs. Seven families. Each with a name, a story, and circumstances that matter deeply. Here are just a few of the families we are carrying in our hearts today:
One mother is preparing to give birth and needs someone to care for her children while she is at the hospital. Having aged out of foster care herself, she shared her fear of having no one to turn to and possibly needing to bring her children with her when she delivers.
Another mother, previously served by several Alongside families, is longing to reconnect with the community. She is asking for a Community Friend - someone willing to see her, encourage her, and remind her that she does not have to navigate life alone.
A single mother of three experiencing homelessness needs just a few days of care for her children until her family can return to housing.
Another family is living in their car while the parents work opposite shifts, one on first shift and the other on third. The mother needs care for her children so she can attend job training. They are working tirelessly to save enough for a housing deposit, doing everything they can to build a more stable future for their family, and still coming up short.
Two additional mothers are waiting - one for a Community Friend and another for a Host Family willing to step into her family’s immediate need.
And there are others.
The needs feel overwhelming today. Our referrals continue to overflow, but we believe God sees every family and already knows how He intends to meet each need.
Would you pause and pray with us right now?
Please pray for an outpouring from our volunteer community.
Pray that God would bring these families to mind throughout the day and stir the hearts of those who may be able to step forward.
As you pray, would you also ask Him whether you might be part of His provision for one of them?
If so, please reach out. We would be grateful to help you learn more.
We can only do what we can do and then we trust God to do what only He can do.