Almost 8 years ago, the Lord prompted me to pick up a family walking alongside the road. It was an uncontrollable urge to pull over and trust that He would protect me and my girls from any harm. I listened and an unexpected relationship formed over the next 17 months. The family happened to be homeless and hopping from place to place; the boys were 1 and 3 years old and the young mother was pregnant again. My family joined me in my calling to help this family, and God knew my heart and planted me in their lives to show His deep love for them. Addiction and abuse ended up separating the parents and moving the boys to foster care. The mother needed a safe place to heal and overcome addiction.
Hillcrest is an organization in Liberty that provides housing and stability to those in need, working to get them back on their feet and stand on their own.
Their mission is to empower the homeless and working poor to achieve personal independence through transitional housing, accountability, education, and community support. The young mother was accepted into the 90-day program, where she was required to work full time, follow program guidelines and attend volunteer-taught classes in life skills, employment, community living and budgeting. She was given a new start and eventually got her boys back.
I witnessed first hand the transformational impact that Hillcrest has on people in need. Through this experience, I believe God revealed my calling and deepest desires to serve the undeserving, under-privileged and marginalized in this world. The place God calls me to is the place where my deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.
I have served Hillcrest with my community group as a sponsor to Apartment #1 for 6 years. We prepare the apartment for tenants by cleaning, repairing and furnishing for a welcoming stay. We stock the apartment with groceries, pantry items and kitchen items, as well as a welcoming meal on the first day. Most importantly, we get to build a caring and supportive relationship with each tenant that aligns with the Hillcrest mission, and God’s commandment for us to love one another.
I am often reminded of the young mother who always wanted to give her boys a better life, and Hillcrest was a transformational experience for her family and continues to be for so many others.