A Little Girl's Christmas Gift Wish Answered

Today, at the Mission's Christmas Store I was blessed to witness God answering a young girl's specific Christmas gift wish.  Peggy Ramsey, Family Center Administrative Assistant, was on a quest at our Christmas Store to find the donated gifts that would best fit the wish list of our VYC kids (Vanderberg Youth Center). 

One little girl had asked for a ‘Baby Alive’ doll. We had several dolls that Peggy had looked at, unsure if this little girl would be happy with just any baby doll.  We both had the same thought -- that this little girl was so specific about the type of doll she was hoping for, and that was what she should get.  So, Peggy continued searching through the gifts. 

After a prayer breathed to God, Peggy looked in a bag just delivered that morning by Maranatha Academy's 6th grade students.  She reach in and pulled out a ‘Baby Alive’ doll!   There certainly was a "hallelujah" lifted up to the Lord for answering this little girl's specific wish, not only for that particular doll, but also that the skin color matched that of the little girl!  The student and his family that donated this particular doll I am sure had no idea how they were going to be a part of God's plan to answer this specific Christmas wish.   Their gift was right on time - God's time!

(Submitted by Sandy Baldwin, Donor Connection Specialist at City Union Mission)

A Card Game Opens Door for Discussion

A few days ago the Men’s Shelter staff approached 'Carl', a man in the day room who was playing a card game that had strong demonic emphasis. The gentleman became very upset that he couldn't play his game and demanded to speak with me, the Shelter Administrator.

The next day he came into my office and vented his frustrations on how we were unfair to him for not letting him play his card game that was associated with black magic and other occult type activity. I informed him that it wasn't card playing that we were against, but rather the type of game it was and what it stood for, and that we, as a Christian organization, stand upon Jesus Christ and the Word of God. Carl still didn't seem to understand, even though I tried to minister to him as clearly and lovingly as I could.

Staff members knew that this gentleman was a professing atheist and had been specifically praying for him. Three days later Carl came into my office, looking quite different (like he was beaming). He told me that on this particular day that something told him to go to our Meeting Jesus Ministry class (in which he had not a part of). He began to listen to Anthony, the class facilitator and daytime Shelter Manager, as he was ministering the Word.  Carl told me that "something hit him". He shared with me that he received Jesus as his Savior before everyone!

As we sat in my office today and I listened to him describe his conversion experience, I could tell it was genuine. Please join with us to lift up our new family member in prayer and also that the Father would give us the tools and the wisdom to continue to assist Carl in his walk with Christ.

(Submitted by Greg Miller, Men’s Shelter Administrator at City Union Mission)

One Who Came Back To Say “Gracias”

Though staff and volunteers who work in Community Assistance love to assist the women and families we serve, during the busy holiday season the numbers of clients we see can be very draining. Among those we serve are Latino families and women who often speak very little English. We are thankful for bilingual volunteers and also Google Translate that allows us to communicate with these clients. Often there is someone in these households who is working, but the income is simply not enough to meet their needs.

Hilda came for Christmas assistance. Hilda works as a maid at a local motel making $3.75 an hour.  We are aware that they sometimes earn tips in addition, but how many of us remember to leave a tip for the maid who cleans up after us? With the aid of Google Translate, I was able to have a conversation with Hilda and offer her more than simply the Christmas gifts she was seeking. After completing intake, Hilda left my office to wait for the spiritual conversation with our volunteer. Then Hilda remembered and turned around, coming back to my office to express her thanks. It nearly brings tears to my eyes as I think about her.

(Submitted by Lydia Allen – Community Assistance Administrator at City Union Mission)