The Journey Home Quarterly Newsletter January 2019

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. Psalm 27:14

Having just celebrated Jesus’ birth, some thoughts about the holiday this year have been impressed on my mind. First of all, I think of how the world waited for the long anticipated Savior. Waiting seems to be a common theme in God’s Word. We often find ourselves waiting, as we are now, for things like The Journey Home to be built. We cannot control weather and permits, etc. But, we can trust in God’s perfect timing that He has demonstrated over and over again throughout time.

Secondly, Christmas made me think more about all those people who did not have a warm home, enough food to eat, or gifts to share with those they love during this celebration. Jesus understands. He arrived humbly and with very little in the way of material goods. Yet, He was God’s gift to us for salvation. Many of the future residents of The Journey Home need to know how much Jesus and His servants care about them and their circumstances. They need to know the hope and peace only He can bring.

So, we wait on His perfect timing for TJH with the confidence of knowing His incredible love for the materially poor and suffering people. We continue to do our part and trust Him to do what only He can do.

Waiting has not been wasted time. We have continued to finalize many details, attend many meetings and network in our community. There is so much to learn to be able to build and run this home. Knowledge has been gained about resources to help future guests of the home as we met with Anthony from Thomas Jefferson Coalition for the Homeless, Michelle from Piedmont Housing Alliance, and Ridge of Piedmont VA Community College with some helpful information about educational scholarships and job opportunities for the future residents of the home.

The incredible volunteers of TJH were honored at an appreciation dinner for them on November 16th. Thanksgiving time is a great time to recognize these servants that we are so thankful for! What a special evening we all had as we recalled what God has done in and through TJH.

Community support has greatly increased as people have become more aware of the great need for TJH in Louisa County. It was a blessing to be invited to a Community Thanksgiving Service November 20th that six Louisa Churches jointly held where they designated TJH for their love offering.

Volunteers have been busy planning for the May 4th Live and Silent Auction. We would love to have you join us for the Silent Auction to be held 2:00-6:30 pm at Mineral Baptist Church Family Life Center. There will be a dinner 6:00-7:00 pm followed by a Live Auction, with auctioneer Col. Bill. The auction chairperson, Nadine, is looking for help with many aspects of this event as well as for Silent and Live Auction donations. Please let us know if you would like to help and we hope you will be able to join us then for a wonderful evening.

Please join us, if you are able to, for our next meeting on Thursday, February 28, at 7 pm at Mineral Baptist Church. There will be an update, the second informational session on understanding poverty, and planning for the Auction. Hope to see you then.

Furniture donations continue to be contributed and we are getting close to what is needed. A group of painters and repairers have been busy making furniture like new again. Beds, dressers and small tables are still being accepted. In addition, any other items can be donated closer to October for the annual Yard Sale.

The contract for construction was signed in late December 2018 after all the permits were finally secured. Much has been happening the past few months to get TJH to this point. We are so thankful to be in the capable hands of general contractor, Howard Loudin, and his son Kevin, who will be our job superintendent. They worked hard through the many delays (original start date was August 1) to be ready to begin construction. A new delay has been 6 inches of new snow/mixed precipitation and frozen soil.

Please join us in praying for the building crew as they begin work on the building. Prayers are also greatly appreciated for the many details that need to happen to be ready for the first guests of TJH.

God has blessed financially through the grant monies received in November from The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation ($150, 000) and half of the Perry Foundation grant in December ($125,000). In the last few days, over 200 donors were tallied for the 2018 tax year. What a joy to see how many people are giving to make this vision a reality.

Thank you so much for your prayers, your gifts and your involvement. We are so grateful for the opportunity to join with you in God’s work through TJH. We wait in anticipation with you all for the completion of the building and the hope and help it will give to those who live there.

Blessings,
Debby for TJH Board of Directors