One of our coordinators received a phone call. She answered the phone and on the other line was a young non-minor foster adult, who was given a VIP card to shop at the Mariners Resource Center. The young lady found the coordinator’s number on the back of the card and called because she was in need of directions. She had ridden the bus as far as the last stop yet was still a few miles away from the church. Our coordinator realized the walk from where the young lady was, to the resource center was quite a distance. Quickly, she asked, “Would you prefer a ride? I am right down the street?” The young lady gratefully accepted.
Our coordinator was able to help the young lady in the resource center and offered to give her a tour of Mariners Campus. On the tour, they ended up in the Chapel. While in the chapel, our coordinator was able to spend time answering questions as they got to know each other and had a moment of prayer. Not knowing if they would see each other again, the two parted ways. To our coordinator’s surprise, the young lady reached out again via phone; and the friendship today continues to grow!
Our foster young adults have questions. They need help navigating life, relationships, work, and school. Often times, we can over think lending a helping hand. The best relationships and friendships typically are the most unexpected ones. When I asked our coordinator to describe her take away, she stated it reminded her of “sowing and reaping.” From spending time with the young lady, she felt more blessed to be apart of her life even for such a short moment. “It was rewarding in an indescribable way” she said. It’s incredible how a simple ride made such a huge impact on both parties.
As we are in the lent season and Easter is rapidly approaching, I am reminded of how the Lord shows up often in the simplest of ways, which in turn produces the most profound impact. The King of Heaven humbly left His throne to come down to earth, born of a Virgin (Matthew 1:18-25), in a manger, died upon a wooden cross for us (Mark 15) and on the third day was risen (Luke 24). He who knew NO sin (2 Corinthians 5:21), gave His life so we could walk in freedom no longer bound by sin or shame and have eternal life (Romans 8:1,2 John 3:16). Easter reminds us of Christ resurrection power and unconditional love; there is nothing too hard for The Lord (1 Corinthains 15:3, 4 Jeremiah 32:27).
Matthew 21:1 (NKJV)Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. 3 And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.” 4 All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: 5 “Tell the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold, your King is coming to you,
Lowly, and sitting on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ”
6 So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. 8 And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:
“Hosanna to the Son of David!
‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’
Hosanna in the highest!” 10 And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?”
God is still on the move,
Ana Martinez
This month our needs: We are in need of volunteers to help with a simple ride for our non-minor young adults to the resource center.
We have a 14 year old foster youth interested in fishing and mountain biking in need of a mentor
A new small twin bed
Gently used or new small dresser
New durable black backpack for transporting clothes and belongings
Uber gift cards and Ikea gift cards
Thank you in advance for the needs you are meeting in our community!
