But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.” Ruth 1:16

I want to encourage you with words I heard recently from a new guest. We were finishing up our Bible study time and she was saying how much this time meant to her. Then she shared Ruth’s words to Naomi. M said, “I am learning to read the Bible and I was unsure where to start before you helped me, so I opened to this page and these words popped out to me. I want that…I want your God to be my God.” Thank you for making it possible to help people rebuild their lives on a solid foundation.

Staff at TJH have been even busier than usual the past few weeks. We have interviewed several applicants and will be admitting two new families (they are homeless and have been living in a local motel) in the next few weeks as well as another possible Mom and baby who just applied. It will be wonderful to have them join TJH family. Please join us in prayer for a mom, her two sons and our first single dad and his three children as we come alongside of them in their journey towards self-sufficiency.

The staff has also been helping M and her daughter settle in. This family is adjusting well to big changes such as a new place to live and a new job. This guest does not have a vehicle, so we will be assisting her (along with Jaunt) to get her daughter to child care and M to work during the summer months. Please let us know if you would like to help with transportation once a week. Thank you.

God gave us a beautiful spring day on May 10 for the planting of our garden. Staff, guests and volunteers worked together to plant and enjoy sweet fellowship. We are all excited to watch our plants grow and then enjoy eating the fruit of our labors. We have learned from past years that growing vegetables really increases the chance of the kids eating them. They are especially looking forward to the watermelon.

For those of you who have been doing some Spring cleaning, we have a great opportunity for you to donate the treasures you want to part with for a worthy cause. Louisa Baptist Church is hosting a yard sale Saturday, June 3, 7 am – 2 pm to benefit The Journey Home (all items left will go to Rural Love). You can drop off your donated items Tuesday through Thursday (May 30 – June 1) at Louisa Baptist Church. They welcome volunteers for that day as well as your donated items that will bless someone else.

Time seems to go faster when the weather gets nice, so summer will be here before we know it. Please save the date of Saturday, August 26, for TJH Annual Fundraiser Banquet. Click here for details. We are looking forward to spending time with you that evening and having you hear from our guests how God is using TJH in their lives. Your support and your prayers are making an eternal difference and we are so grateful for each one of you. Your willingness to invest in the lives of others is truly making a difference. How blessed we are to join you in God’s work.

Praises:

For our new families and for how well the settled-in ones are doing.
For the privilege of joining with you in God’s work as families and individuals rebuild their lives.
For the way God and His Word transforms lives.
For the individuals at Louisa Baptist who are hosting the yard sale June 3.
For TJH staff and volunteers and for their commitment to the ministry.
For TJH Board and for their spiritual leadership.
For our faithful supporters of TJH.
For the continued partnership in ministry with our community.

Prayer requests:

For our new families who have many obstacles to face in rebuilding their lives.
For wisdom for staff as we try to assist families with their unique needs.
For the yard sale on June 3 to be a great success.
For our garden to grow well and the produce to bless TJH families.
For the planning and attendance of the Annual Fundraising Banquet August 26.
For God’s provision of vehicles and jobs for our guests.
For God to give us discernment regarding applicants.
For us to be an example of Jesus as we love and encourage our families and point them to Him.
For new churches and individuals to join in financial and prayer support of TJH.

Blessings,

Debby
For TJH Staff