Greetings,
Bridge of Hope is continuing to serve in the name of Jesus, those who the Lord brings to us. Thank you for your continued prayers and support. You are the reason we are able to meet the needs we encounter every day.
I want to share a story that reflects the sometimes “tension” we feel each day. About three months ago, I went to visit a family who have been in America for about a year from Africa. This family has had many challenges. They were farmers in their country. They came as a family of 12. Three of the daughters had been raped and had babies when they arrived. The 16 year old gave birth two weeks after arriving in the U.S. Two of the daughters are handicapped. Grandma, who is in her eighties, came over with the family. When I walked in the door that day, I saw grandma laying on the couch with a thin blanket. She was looking very frail and sick. She cannot speak any English, but reached out to me with her eyes. She was cold. I gave her my jacket, she covered herself with it and smiled. Then she grabbed her shirt, pulled it up, showing me her incision which was about 12 inches long- from the bottom of her belly to just below her breast. It did not look good- red, weepy and serious. Her grand daughter said, “she wants you to pray for her.” I got on my knees and prayed over her that God would heal her and take all infection from her. She was still cold so I ran back to Bridge of Hope and grabbed a down blanket and covered her up tightly.
Two weeks ago, at our Friday food distribution, we had a situation where a handicapped lady came to get food. She had been drinking and accidentally ran over a girl’s foot and broke it. There was kayos- anger, accusations, police and paramedics showing up while 200 people waited for their food. The next day, a man we have never met, came to Bridge of Hope in the early morning and waited with the others for us to open. He was intoxicated and inappropriate. He made a scene as well and threatened us. That same day, the lady who had injured the girl the day before came back and would not listen to instructions given to avoid another accident. She too cursed and threatened us and made a scene. We continued to pray and recognize what this was and where it was coming from, but none the less, it was wearisome. After we closed the store at 12:00, I took home the grand daughter of the grandma from Africa I shared about. We knocked on the door, grandma opened it and smiled the biggest smile I have ever seen. Right away, upon entering, she again pulled up her shirt, past her chest, as if still in Africa, displaying the large scar across her belly. Her eyes reached out to me as if to cry out. I asked her grand daughter, “what is it?” she said, “Cancer, she wants you to pray for her.” Feeling empty, frustrated by the last two days events, by faith, I grabbed her belly with both hands and prayed the prayer of faith for this sick, precious grandma. Moments before this encounter with God who was reaching out to touch this grandma- all hell was breaking loose to thwart and distract God’s plan to bring the Kingdom of God on earth. With all that was within me, as to say to the devil, “you will not win” I grabbed her and proclaimed her healing in Jesus name, rebuked the cancer and pleaded the blood of Jesus over this sick, tired body. As I walked out the door, I had tears of gratitude to the Lord, and renewed clarity.
Acts14:21-22 After they had preached the gospel to that city, and made many disciples, they returned to Listra< an>span>, Iconium, and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “through many tribulations, we must enter the kingdom of God.”
Quick note: Diapers are a huge need for families. We are approached each week for diapers. I am able to buy them from the food bank at a better price, but still it adds up because there are so many that need them. We are doing what we can to help Diego Hills Charter School, assist their teen moms with what they need. I got a call recently from a teacher who needed size 1 diapers for one of her students. Mom is 17 and has a new born. Right after she had her baby, her mom went into the hospital with heartache symptoms, so she wasn’t able to work. They were out of money and weren’t able to buy diapers or food. So the student and her brother went to the blood bank and gave blood for money. Thanks to you, Bridge of Hope was able to provide diapers for this mom.
May God continue to bless and encourage you. May He continue to provide for you and protect you and your families.
Sheri Briggs,
Bridge of Hope