Dear CityTeam Partners,
I have to admit that I get discouraged at times. Putting your whole heart into a ministry can be exhausting. Walking through the struggles that people have is also tiring. Add in a few building problems and extra expenses on top of the budget and it can be hard to keep the effort on-going to make things work.
I was recently having one of “those” days while looking at the daunting list of tasks to be done, people to be encouraged, and problems to be solved. My head was spinning from the ever-growing list. I felt harried and hurried all day. I also felt like all of the effort I was expending for that day was going nowhere. I guess you could say I was stressed!
That was until I picked up the telephone. On the end of the line was a woman who desired to give a twenty dollar gift to CityTeam. I wrote down her information. We had a nice exchange of words. I was about ready to wrap up the call and then she told me that this $20 gift was in memory of her daughter who had died on the streets. As I hung up the phone I was crying. The call had given me a new perspective as I was reminded why I am so willing to get tired, handle the “to do” list and face discouragement. It’s because what we do here can be the difference between life and death for our street guests.
My mind was soon recalling the faces of the street guests that I had known who had died on the streets. Often we share about the wonderful news of how our men have change their lives forever. Knowing that these men have turned their lives around has encouraged and blessed me. But, I also hold in my heart the ones who haven’t made it. It has inspired me to fight longer and harder than I think possible at times.
So, for all our guests whose lives hang in the balance between a new life or death on the streets let’s continue to work together for them. I truly believe that we are partners in this. Together we pray, we give money and time or bring in people that can. Thank you that you lift the burden so that the load is lighter, the problems are less, and we can focus on being a blessing.
In His Name,
Julie A Stephenson
Northwest Regional Director
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