Friday is “Good Friday.” We’ve all heard the story, how Jesus carried a huge wooden cross up the hill to Golgotha knowing that was His fate, to be unmercifully nailed on that same wooden cross until dead. The same one He had to drag through the streets after being humiliated, mocked, betrayed, and beaten to a pulp.

The picture above is of three men. One being Jesus and two criminals/ thieves. I look at that picture and think of my Dad. He’s the one, like the thief that spoke to Jesus at the last minute, and asked if He would pardon his sins. Jesus did and told the thief that he would be in paradise with Him.

What makes me think of my Dad? My Dad was that thief in many ways and in many ways worse. He stole my childhood, my teen years, and part of adulthood. He stole the childhood from others, too. My Dad was a pedophile. It took me many years to forgive him. At the age of 87 my Dad hung on that cross beside Jesus and asked, just 24 hours before he died, for Jesus to forgive him his sins and gave his life to Jesus.

I think of the pain that Jesus had to have endured, (which I cannot even imagine) I think of the pain that me and others have suffered at the hands of someone else, just like Jesus suffered indignation, betrayal, and beaten. He was finally hung and died – an innocent man at the hands of others. In many ways me, and many other innocents died inside.

I think of the innocent children that are being horribly abused by the evil of others, the teen girls and boys that walk into a spiders web of evil unknowingly, and the teen and adult women used like some kind of meat to be “devoured” and then tossed aside. I think of how many are forced into using their bodies for the sick satisfaction of others and those forced into drug addiction because they can’t cope with what is happening to them.

Why am I passionate about the Into The Light Ministry home? Because it is only by the grace of God that I survived the many years of abuse by a man that, like in sex traffic situations, use them as their tool! It is the love of Christ that help them survive through it and get out of it. And it is His love, support, guidance, and care through us that will help them transition into a society that cares, not the one that betrayed them and let them down.

Christ hung, shed His innocent blood for us! For ALL of us, even those who don’t believe, who mock Him, claim He doesn’t exist, and belittle His Deity. He died a horrific death so that everyone would have hope, freedom from sin, and spend eternity with Him instead of an eternity with our adversary, Satan. There is no greater love than that!

Will you be the third man on a cross?

Would you do what Jesus did for someone that hates you?

Praise the Lord and glory be to God for His unselfish love.

Into The Light Ministry

http://www.intothelightga.com

It is not often a writer runs out of words. Well, at least this one anyway. I don’t think I’ve ever really experienced what is called “writers block” (even with nine published books) and the reason is because I always ask the Lord what He wants written and then get out of His way and let Him take over the key board. So if some of my gibberish comes through as gibberish, then blame Him. 🙂

This has been a crazy week though and not much has been able to be accomplished at the Into the Light Home. My church had a big Easter egg hunt party this past Saturday and that was pretty cool. We all know Easter is NOT about colored eggs or cute rabbits and even though there were games and Easter eggs found, the kids and adults were introduced to Jesus and what Easter is all about.

I could have sworn it’s Spring in Georgia, USA, but Saturday you would have never known it. It SNOWED! I don’t think kids feel cold, they were running around and acting like it was 80 degrees while the adults were freezing their fannies off, at least those who didn’t listen to the weather report and dress for it. But it was a great time and surprisingly, with it being so cold, a lot of people with kids showed up, all for the glory of God.

And then, of course, pastor had to prepare His sermon for Sunday morning. He isn’t one of those pastors who thumb through the file cabinet and thinks, “Hmm, that one might be good.” And he has had meetings and all sorts of stuff going on ever since.

Now this week is preparing for Easter Sunday. A new backdrop has been created at church, and its pretty cool, so that took a couple of days worth of work, not for me, but for the guys doing it. Pastor and I are suppose to have a meeting, in fact we were suppose to have it today, but his schedule seems to be packed already; luncheons, meetings, Easter prep’s, trying to get over to get a little work done on the ministry house, and my schedule is pretty full for a couple of days, too.

So I can’t report any big improvements or major work having been done in the last week. Like I said, its been a crazy week and may continue to be for a few more days. Just in case you’re wondering, I was forced to bring in all the plants, again, due to the weather but now they are all very happy out in the sunshine in 68-70 degree weather with warm 50’s night temp’s. and its supposed to stay that way now. Praise God, thank you Jesus.

For now my pretty plants will enjoy some sunshine in my back yard. Will pastor get around to tilling up my garden space this week? Will I finally get to get all dirty playing in the dirt?

Come on back Thursday and we’ll see.

Blessing to you.

Into the Light Ministry

http://www.intothelightga.com

Once again, this past Sunday, I cornered pastor, “I bought flowers to make the flower bed at the house. Do you know when we’ll be able to get those shrubs pulled up? It’s planting time.” I am persistent at times, especially when it comes to playing in the dirt.

“I need to talk to… Monday and Tuesday we’re doing… at the church.”

We talk a little more and on the way to the front of the church he asks Gerri to call to have the power lines, gas, etc. marked before we start digging. After church we ride by the ministry home so I can get a “before” picture so once the shrubs are gone and replaced with nice plants I can share the before and after with you.

I’ve set all the plants out in the sun and some in the shade that requires shade and hope nobody will sneak in my back yard and take off with them. Sitting on my back deck I sit staring at them with images of what I want to do and where I plan to put them. In other words, I’m designing my gardens in my head.

Then the phone rings.

“This is your best pastor of the day to let you know the shrubs are gone.” Hallelujah, praise God.

Pastor then explains that the landscaper that would pull them out for free said he couldn’t get to it right now, “I’ll work it in when I can.” Pastor, being a do it yourself man, decided to go cut the shrubs off to about a foot above the ground. Then he hooked a chain to the back of his pickup and pulled every one of those ugly suckers out! What a guy! No moss will ever grow under his feet and I couldn’t be happier.

“Heavy rain, possible hail, and slight chance for tornadoes,” is reported for the next few days. Oh for crying out loud! The shrubs are finally out, pastor is going to til the garden area for me, and I’m ready to get down and dirty and now- rain and storms, for two-three whole days! I think the Lord is testing my patience. It ain’t working!

Hauling all the plants onto my covered deck to keep them from being beaten half to death through the storms the news get worse.

“Later in the week the temperatures will drop back down into the thirties,” is the next bad news. Okay, now this is serious. All plants have been moved into my bedroom, off the deck, where it is warm and they will be safe from the storms and high winds.

Those storms they predicted haven’t happened! Not at my house anyway.

The weather man is now saying it will be Saturday night when the temps drop so out go the plants onto the covered deck again.They need sunshine and that doesn’t happen in my bedroom. I’m tired of hauling them in and out so they’ll be covered with a tarp -outside for the coldest weather!

Am I going overboard? Not in my mind. Plants are expensive, and even more expensive this year than last. No way am I going to lose them to a storm or freezing weather. I think this is the last of our really cold nights so once Pastor gets the tilling done I’ll be hauling a car load of plants, edging, paving stones, shovel, etc. over to the ministry home…

then I’ll enter my little piece of heaven on earth. Told you I love playing in the dirt. 🙂

So when is all this finally going to happen? Your guess is as good as mine.

See ya’ next time.

Blessings to you.

Into The Light Ministry

http://www.intothelightga.com

Not all plans work out just as we expect. Some time back I think I wrote about going to the ministry house loaded with shelf paper, only it wasn’t paper, it’s that rubber kind of stuff that keeps your dishes from sliding. Kind of like the stuff you put under a throw rug to keep the rugs from sliding out from under your feet.

We were so excited to be able to get everything, almost everything, we bought for the kitchen all washed, dried, and put away in the cabinets. Everything looked wonderful until I decided the pots and pans needed to be rearranged. Lifting some pots the freakin non-slide shelf stuff came right up with them. Grrrr

Then we tried moving a few other items and the same thing happened. I looked at Gerri and said, “This crap has got to go!” We put the items back in the cabinets. Coming home I decided I should have gotten the stick down paper kind and berated myself for not doing it the first time. “That stuff is a mess to work with,” was my excuse. Now I’m kicking myself.

Off to Walmart we went and I bought the stick down shelving paper and announced, “I’ll go in the morning while you’re at the gym and replace that other stuff.” And that’s exactly what I did this morning. Not just replacing the first lain stuff but going through and doing the linen closet, one bathroom cabinet under the sink, and running from the other bathroom after opening door under the sink.

What all that black icky stuff is I have no idea but I have no intention of touching it! The rotten wood under it was bad enough. Oh Lord I hope that isn’t black mold. Four hours later with a hurting back and bruised knees the job is done. The rubber stuff is saved for exactly what I said it should be used for – under the rugs!

Obviously I don’t need a charged up electric screwdriver for that job. Yesterday while Gerri and I were working Pastor came by and when I mentioned I was going to do this, that, and the other thing, he said, “I’ll do it. I’m coming back this afternoon.”

Knowing his busy schedule and the work he was planning to do later in the day I figured he’ll not have time so I’ll bring my tools and knock out this easy stuff in no time. Arriving this morning, tools in hand, not only for the shelf paper, but the other small job, I walk in and – its already done. No need for the electric screwdriver, hammer, or anything else but scissors, tape measure, and a marker. Pastor took care of what I planned to do. I think the man thinks I’m a wimp. Love ya’ pastor. 🙂

So our plans not always work out quite like we plan. Anyone able to relate to that? This reminds me of “Your will, Lord, not mine.” We make all kinds of plans and then the Lord reveals His.

So what’s on the agenda for the next time? I have no idea. Pastor is putting the trim pieces around the ceiling and installing the base boards. I’m hoping when he finishes that he’ll get those cruddy shrubs pulled out and I can start playing in the dirt. Ohhhh, just the thought of it gives me happy bumps.

Will that happen? Will I get to get all that wonderful dirt all under my nails, on my knees, fanny, and face?

You just never know. See ya’ next time.

Blessings to you.

Into The Light Ministry

http://www.intothelightga.com

Waking early with dreams of a pretty new flower garden flickering through my mind, I’m ready to take on the day, which is unusual. Normally I will lie all snugly and warm, yawning, debating if I should roll over and try to go back to sleep, but then the bladder screams, nope!

It didn’t happen today. I had a plan and when I have a plan there’s no “bar the door Katy.” Yesterday I told Gerri we’ll be leaving early in the morning to go to the house. This morning I race downstairs and all is dark and light snoring coming from her bedroom. Rats!

I slowly climb the stairs and decide to get some cereal and hope she’ll wake up before her usual “sleep in late” time. No, I won’t wake her up and scare her half to death. Grabbing a bowl I grab the cereal box and mumbling and groaning to myself I watch the news while eating and listening for any signs of life downstairs.

Finally! Standing before her as she sips her coffee with the T.V. playing, “You can go with me or you can stay here and do your laundry. I’m ready to go.” She flips off the T.V. “I need to get dressed.” Then get the led out,” and I rush back upstairs.

Entering the house and glancing around, oh how different it all looks. Its a pleasure to walk in knowing we’re not going to be stepping over, tripping over, or having to dodge everything under the sun to get to the kitchen.

Okay, I did need to move a bunch of tools, pieces of piping, and other stuff off the kitchen counters but to be able to even get to the kitchen is a God given blessing. Opening the lower cabins we start pulling out large bags, small bags, and individual items and setting some on the counter along with what we have taken out of boxes.

Turning the faucet – oh hot water! I mean really hot water! “Pastor needs to turn the water heater down a little, this water is scalding.” And our job for the day has begun. Adding dish soap I roll up my sleeves and grab the first glass.

That’s how we have spent the next several hours; washing, drying, and placing all our new kitchen items in the cabinets and drawers. I never thought I’d get such a thrill at opening a drawer and seeing it full of brand new silverware or a cabinet filled with pretty brand new pots and pans. Dishes are lined up, cabinets filled with baking tins and dishes, plastic storage bowls and lids placed on a shelf, an electric coffee pot put in its rightful place.

I guess I’ve just had my own for so long that just knowing these women will be starting with all new stuff touches my heart. I wonder if they have ever had new things or if that may just be a dream. We take so much for granted that it has struck me how someone might open a cabinet filled with new dishes, or a new refrigerator, or have to learn how to operate a new dishwasher or microwave -confection-fryer oven. Wow, I’d like to be there when that happens just to see their face.

We left with a kitchen not completely stocked yet, but well stocked, and a real sense of blessed accomplishment.

Oh, I still have a plan. I’ve already told Gerri, “I’m going to the house tomorrow morning early.” Yep there’s still work that needs to be done but this time I’ll go alone. I can handle this all by myself, thank you very much. Hold the door open, Katy. Sue’s at it again.

Will I get the job done? Hmmm My electric screw driver is charged.

See you next time.

Blessings to you.

Into The Light Ministry

http://www.intothelightga.com

Stopping in the driveway of the ministry house I have to look back at all that has been accomplished. The first time I stepped into the house the place was a disaster. The couple we were paying to do repairs and help pastor with the leg work; recruiting, getting information, etc. betrayed our trust and we were left with the whole shebang to do ourselves.

We’ve worked hard and I have to hand it to pastor, he has worked non-stop to get this home and this ministry going. Our focus has been in getting the repairs and renovations done to the home and yet even as much work as that has entailed he has had several meetings with “those in the know,” interviewed business owners, sat before bank managers, lawyers, done research, recruited volunteers, and so much more. Even with a week long mission trip to Columbia South America and his usual ministerial duties he has accomplished much, all for the glory of God.

Glancing at the house the piles of trash and junk has all been removed leaving at least the outside presentable. The old furniture that was left behind is gone, the “scatter gun” holes have been filled, cruddy light fixtures removed and are going to be replaced, old ceiling fans are gone with new ones on the list. An old furnace was delivered to the dump and a new one has been installed.

Walking through the house I realize even more that it has slowly been transformed. Instead of dirty walls, ripped wall paper, and partially torn down paneling, its all new now and the rooms are all painted. What a difference it makes! While roaming from room to room I can’t help but smile and feel a sense of satisfaction. There for a while the work seemed to be endless with no end in sight but seeing our clean walls with fresh paint has been an encouragement, yes, we have accomplished much!

A few pieces of furniture sit dusty in the living room, several hangers hang in the bedroom closets, hidden in the cabinets are bags of new dishes and kitchen utensils to be washed and put away now that we have hot water. Smaller pieces sit waiting in the carport. Oh what a change has been made!

Today pastor is mowing the yard while a six man crew is installing new flooring. When Gerri and I walk in I can’t believe the flooring has already been completed! Pastor stands in the doorway grinning like a Cheshire cat. “It’s all finished,” he states proudly. I can’t believe my eyes. Its beautiful, its amazing, and every room is spectacularly covered with a new wooden floor. Ohhhh my gosh!

The saying, “You’ve come a long way baby” skitters through my mind and I know, even though he hasn’t said it, Pastor feels the same way. “Its coming,” is his usual expression but I know his heart and to see the accomplishment we’ve made has to be more than just satisfying to him, as it is with me. Glory to God on the Highest for all He has helped us to do.

Walking outside with pastor he points to the mess of crappy shrubs that line the front of the house and says to me, “Start getting your flowers ready, I have a guy that’s got the equipment to pull all of those out.” When he first told me he was going to have those pulled out and put a flower garden in, I said, “That’s mine! I get to play in the dirt!” (My very favorite thing to do besides playing in the ocean)

There’s still more work, don’t get me wrong, but not nearly what we started with. I came home and started searching for a shower door to replace the broken one, then began hunting for a large pantry cabinet to have in the kitchen since cabinet space is limited. Pastor still has the floor, ceiling molding to put up, windows to replace, and a sliding glass doors to replace, and, and, and.

After hunting down the shower door and pantry I went outside to my yard and pulled up a few baby Rose of Sharon plants and potted them for transplanting at the Into the Light home. I have several and there’s a reason for that. In the Bible there is a story about a town called Sharon. (Acts 9:35) The people planted these plants (they are of the Hibiscus family) around the whole circumference of the town and that town was blessed. Jesus is also called, “The Rose of Sharon” (Song of Solomon 2:1) and I have some on every side of my home. (Believe me, me and my home are blessed!) and I know exactly where they will be planted at His ministry home. I can’t wait to get my hands in the dirt!

“You’ve come a long way baby.” It is so nice to be able to write about what the Lord has helped us to accomplish. I think the major “bumps” are long gone now and we’re looking forward to completing the repairs…

but how long will that take, and will the finances be there when we need them?

Come on back and continue to enjoy the journey with us.

Blessings to you.

Into The Light Ministry

http://www.intothelightga.com

Since Gerri and I are roommates we travel together to go to church each Sunday morning. Those are interesting trips because we get into politics, Prophesies, the ministry needs, and just about everything. On the way home our first topic is, “what’s for lunch?” Then we may discuss the sermon pastor has given or what pastor said as we were leaving about what his plans at the ministry house are for the following week.

Gerri is a Gabby Girdy, I’m not. She likes to socialize a bit before and after church where I tend to be friendly but less talkative and usually sit in the car and wait for her after church. She’s been talking to various women about what donations we need for the house. “So and so said to send her the list of needs and she’ll see what she can do,” she tells me on the way home.

This is something we are relying on, volunteers to help with our needs. And boy have they come through! Walking into the house on one occasion we hear a saw. Pastor is holding the end of a long strip of molding while another man is cutting the angles. Wood and dust and ladders are all over the place and here helping is a volunteer carpenter.

Pastor has an offer from a man who is in the painting business. “I’ll be there in a week or so and donate the paint you need and do the painting.” Another will do duct cleaning, another business will put the new flooring down when we’re ready and charge us pennies for the material, someone has volunteered to cut the grass, another to do some much needed landscaping for us, and women have volunteered to bring what they can to meet our needs. The men are in various vocations and offer their time and/or material. Women are school teachers, bus drivers, home makers, and just want to help in whatever way they can.

These people are God sent and such a blessing! They are vital to any ministry. Praise God there are still loving and caring people still in this world. This Sunday morning Gerri is told, “I have a box of stuff in the car for you and you’ll need a man to carry the other box.”

After church a box with two new comforters, 4 sets of new towels and wash cloths, and a set of new sheets, along with a painting to hang on the wall is placed in my car. The other box? Our mouths drop open! A brand new, still in the unopened box, is a microwave, air fryer, and convection oven appliance. We never dreamed someone would donate such a gift. We asked for a simple microwave and we’re blessed with much more. What a blessing!

We’ve been getting various items here and there so we have not put the sign up sheet out yet. The way things are going and the blessings of people meeting our needs, we may not have to have a sign up sheet.

Don’t ever underestimate the giving hearts of some people when needs arise. We see it in not only ministry, but across our land when disasters arise; someone’s home is lost through fire, when children are sick and need medical attention that can’t be afforded. Caring hearts are truly a blessing.

Not everyone can donate labor or material items but with prayerful consideration small amounts (or large amounts) can be donated to help us finance this endeavor. Power bills, water and septic, taxes, maintenance, etc. are an on-going expense that cannot be neglected. We love our volunteers and our partners so please prayerfully consider an offering, or partnering with us, to help us do God’s work. And of course, it goes without saying, prayers are always appreciated. Our website is below with an easy access donation icon for your tax deductible donation.

We are truly blessed but are there any more bumps in the road, or are things finally smoothing out and moving forward?

We’ll see next time.

Blessings to you.

Into The Light Ministry

http://www.intothelightga.com

As stated previously there are repairs that need to be done but we have had to hold off due to not owning the property. But now we do! Hallelujah. Doing yet another walk through we can focus on more than just tearing down wall coverings, light fixtures, or throwing old appliances out the door.

Gerri and I have asked several times when are we going to have heat and hot water? I’m sure pastor is about to strangle both of us for our continued asking. He has finally been able to schedule having the pilot lights lit. I’m sure you might be thinking, “Oh come on, anyone can light a pilot light!” That’s true unless you want to make sure there are no carbon monoxide leaks, its all up to code, and the furnace, especially the furnace, is in good working order and the gas water heater is not only working but vented properly.

The morning comes when the “gas man” comes and since the furnace is in the attic the pull down stairs must be used to get access to the furnace. At least the water heater is on the main floor. Pulling the attic stairs down is another shock. They are barely usable! I’m not sure if pastor had to help the man into the attic or if the man was agile enough to be able to maneuver the rickety stairs on his own. I didn’t see any rope hanging from the attic that he used like Tarzan to swing out of the attic to the main floor but he did successfully check out the furnace.

Not good news! The furnace is several years old, maybe even an antique for all I know, but it must be replaced. The most critical issue is there is gas leaks. That’s extremely dangerous! I’m sure pastor’s heart sank at hearing the news.

The “gas man” moves to the gas water heater and looking up, following the exhaust pipe into the ceiling, “That’s not code. It will have to be brought up to code because the way it is could catch this place on fire.”

Another bump in the road? Yep. So we are unable to get the heat or the hot water turned on until these things are taken care of. The “gas man” refuses to light any pilots due to these issues and even though it is “a bump in the road” it will be an expensive one, furnaces are not cheap!

In the meantime, I’m talking to my Doctors, nurses, accountant, cashiers, and anybody I can think of about the ministry and handing out business cards wherever I can to get supporters so we can afford not only these repairs but to be able to acquire the needed supplies for making this a home for our ladies. The first month they are in the home we will be supplying food and whatever other needs may arise. After that they have to meet their own needs as far as food, cleaning supplies, etc. are concerned. That’s where jobs come in.

Gerri has been soliciting managers of major supply stores to see if they are willing to donate appliances and I’ve been talking to people I know in the furniture business about donating furniture. Whether they will or not we aren’t sure yet. One place was willing to give us discounts on their product, others have said “we’ll get back to you.” Pastor is doing the same with some promises and several, “maybe’s.”

Starting a ministry such as this is thrilling, exciting, and filled with hope but the reality of it is, as you have been seeing, it is more complicated than many expect. It is only with the Lord’s guidance and help that we have been able to accomplish as much as we have. We continually seek Him. He called us to do this, it is His ministry, and He is using mere humans to accomplish His goal. We ain’t going to let Him down!

Will determination prevail or will discouragement and disappointment raise its ugly head and slow us down?

Stay tuned and please pray for us.

Into The Light Ministry

http://www.intothelightga.com

Pastor has informed us that he has a heat and air man coming. Gerri and I can’t be happier since we have been freezing inside the house while trying to work. This also means we can have hot water and get in there and wash all the kitchen items we bought and those few items we saved from the donation pile and get them placed where they belong.

There were several issues we could not deal with because of not owning the property. There are pro’s and con’s to buying a home using a realtor or “by owner” and they vary drastically.

With a realtor negotiations go back and forth with each party negotiating what needs to be fixed, price of course, appraisals, attorneys fees, closing costs, professional inspectors, title searches, and termite inspections through written contracts. All the legal aspects are done by the realtor and attorney, and a realtor, as a third party, has an advantage in negotiations with all of this through experience.

Purchasing a property “by owner” has little of this done professionally. Any legal issues such as title searches, deeds, finding an attorney (if one is to be used) etc. is done by the purchaser. There are no professional inspections revealing faulty wiring, furnace, water heaters, plumbing, items not up to code, roof, no appraisals, etc. and negotiations are done person to person, with or with out a legal contract, and most by owner sales are purchased “as is.” You get what you see and you get what you don’t see.

Of course, wanting to save as much money as we can, since all funds are from donations, pastor wants to avoid having to pay the usual commission required by a realtor since we plan on paying cash, and has decided he can do the legal leg work through the wife (couple) he’s hired. (But are now gone.)

That has been our situation. The previous owner used the property as a rental property and as I’ve stated before from my own experiences that isn’t always a good thing. Our couple that lived there for the three months, in all fairness, we feel did not do all the damage we found. Yes, they tore up walls, etc. as part of the renovation. But broken windows, the “scatter gun” holes in the bedroom walls, other holes in walls, we feel could possibly have been done by the previous renters, at least that’s what we’d like to think.

Having said that we still have to deal with those issues and now that we own the property we can get electricians, heat and air, painters, etc. in without the concern about not having insurance coverage or approval from the previous owner.

Now that we are legal owners we can really get down and dirty with doing what needs to be done.

Will we get the cherished heat and hot water or will more surprises pop up?

Tune in next time – there’s lots more to come.

Blessings to you.

Into The Light Ministry

http://www.intothelightga.com

After giving my little talk at the special Into The Light fund raising service I have a few butterflies in my stomach. We are a small church of just everyday working people so my hopes are flip flopping about whether we’ll raise enough money to finally purchase the house free and clear.

On the drive home my mind goes back and forth about maybe someone heard and gave pastor that million dollars he’s always hoping for in the offering. We always laugh because when he does the offering time he always adds, “You can put the m-i-l-l-i-o-n in the box on the wall.” He’s convinced someday someone will do it and he isn’t giving up.

“Nahhh”, my mind says and then I get more realistic thoughts. Maybe a few thousand. It would be nice if someone gave about ten thousand. Keep dreaming Cass. We raised a lot but is this going to be enough? And the turmoil of hoping and praying continues until Gerri bursts out laughing. She’s been quiet with her own thoughts as my mind is going nuts.

She suddenly exclaims, “And don’t you dare be cheap!” part of my little speech. I was serious and yet everyone thought it was really funny. I guess it was because we’ve laughed about it ever since. I apologize to her for blind siding her by calling her up front. I know she has said, emphatically stated several times, “Me in front of the congregation? No way, no how!” The trip home is fun and filled with hope and non-stop conversation.

Now that the fund raising is getting serious attention I decide to make up some business cards that I can hand out to friends or leave here and there for people to pick up and maybe create an interest in the ministry outside of the church. I’ve already been telling people about it but handing them a business card with the website just seems more practical. I can never remember the name of a ministry someone tells me about so the business cards, to me, are very important.

Sunday morning pastor announces to the congregation that we have a little over the $300,000 and will be closing on Into The Light Home soon. Glory be to God! The room is filled with clapping and gasps and joy. Tears fill my eyes. Dear God the dream is really coming true! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Quickly I ask if I can say something. Standing up I hold up the business cards, “Now that we are closing on the house I made business cards that you can give to your friends, colleagues, and whomever. Mention what we’re doing and give them a card. It has the web site on the back. They’ll be in the lobby.”

After the service I rush out to spread business cards on the welcome desk and people are taking them right out of my hands. Yay. Pastor stops me at the door and tells me he’s talking to closing attorneys and “Now we can really go to work as soon as it closes.”

My nerves are shot from waiting to hear. My heart is full, and I can’t stop thanking the Lord for His grace. This would not have happened without Him. We raised over $300,000 in just 3 months! If that isn’t God’s favor being poured out I don’t know what is!

Dance? Oh yeah. You can join me in my happy dance…

and I’ll see you next time.

Thank you so very much for those of you that have contributed to help us help these women.

Blessings to you.

Into The Light Ministry

http://www.intothelightga.com