Sunday, July 10

Hey all!

We are in Omaha. Hot HOT HOT Omaha.

Let me give you some numbers:

Current Temp: 92

Current dewpoint: 79 (OH BABY)

that means the heat index in Omaha today is 110. WHEW!!!


Let me (Natalia) get you caught up on the haps before I move on to today: Yesterday we all climbed in our big RVs and drove from Brooklyn Park to Des Moines. We were able to serve at a homeless shelter called "central Iowa shelter and services." It was a rough place and I think the eyes of our students were opened pretty quickly. They house 130+ homeless men and women and they have a policy of never turning anyone away. This means they often have all their beds full and even have people sleeping on chairs in their common area just to be off the street at night. Unlike a lot of shelters, they will take people if they are drunk, sober, clean, dirty... anyone. They are simply there to give them a place to be.
This is in STARK contrast to where we are serving today. Today we are braving the heat and humidity to serve all day at an amazing women's shelter called "New Hope Life Center." This shelter currently houses 6 women and they live in one big, beautiful house with large lovely living areas, impeccably decorated and with an open, airy, homey feeling. The style of shelter is more halfway house than shelter, but many of the women who come here would be homeless if they weren't here. They are coming from prison or other rehab areas for drug and alcohol addiction and this shelter takes them and helps them heal. It's more than just a bed, but a place where real healing and growth takes place - emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually. These women LOVE GOD and they are so thankful for our presence and our work. We're about to come in out of the heat to make them a meal and to spend a few hours hanging out, hearing their stories, and just being a community of Christ together.
What I think is really interesting about our two days so far is that we recognize that there is a need for BOTH kinds of these shelters. Sometimes people aren't at a place where they want healing, and they just need a place to sleep. Both places provide a service to those forgotten and ignored in society and we have been blessed to be able to serve them. We are the hands and feet of Jesus this week, helping those whom God has called us to serve.

Pictures, videos, etc to follow!!

LONG drive to Denver tomorrow! Pray for safe travels as we continue on our journey!

Natalia