Hope is….witnessing someone face obstacles, that keep most in similar circumstances trapped, continue to take steps towards a transformed life.

Today our homeless student met us at church and worshipped with us. Afterwards he went forward to receive prayer and to become a member because he wants to be plugged into the Body of Christ and serve others.

He has been applying for jobs all over downtown (and getting to them with the bike donated for him- please thank your friend …LeAnn and tell her it’s being used well).

We see a lot of different types of people at Hope Academy and one of the qualities we observe that increases the chance of escaping poverty is showing up. Our friend shows up to every appointment we make, every class, every coaching session, and every interview. As one coach commented he has the ‘want to’.

We have also observed the importance of the well placed ‘break’ or second chance that results in opportunities like a job that lead to a transformed life.

Please pray for him to continue to be filled with courage, boldness and faith to persevere every day. He has experienced many blessings the last couple of weeks including from the hands of my Facebook friends and family. Thanks for sharing hope with us!

We’ve been working. A lot. Usually 6 days a week.

So when Brian said he was going to a work day at the Whitefield Center this past Saturday I was reluctant about him going. I thought he should rest but we agreed it was important to go.

While there Brian met a retired man named Max* who lives in a nearby senior assisted living community served by the Whitefield Center. Max used to be a construction worker but now is unable to do the fine motor skills work due to arthritis. He shared with Brian how he dropped out of high school at 16 to provide for his family and how he wished he could earn his GED.

As the day progressed he opened up to Brian about the biggest challenge he faces. Max can’t read. He watches the joy his wife receives when she reads books but he can’t experience it himself. This proud man opened up to Brian and became visibly moved as he humbled himself and shared his struggle. Brian encouraged him and said we could find him a coach who could teach him to read.

Max’s eyes filled with tears and asked why. Brian shared simply, God loves us. We love God and because of that we share His love with others. He told Max there would be a day when Mack would be encouraging the younger students at Hope to not give up on pursuing their purpose.

Please pray for Max as he starts his journey, for a volunteer reading coach to come forward and for Max to find his God given purpose.

Our friend Matt Rogie suggested we have a Joy Board for students and volunteers to post what gave them Joy today or what they are Grateful for. When the board is full I will relocate all the post its to a poster board and hang them on the wall so when things get tough they can look at all they have accomplished. So they can remember why they shouldn’t give up. Why they are on this journey.

What gave me JOY today?

Team teaching our first students with the lovely (and brave) Cheryl Lauer at Hope Academy and meeting a brand new homework coach introduced by the faithful and sure Jake Zauche . Sadly I forgot to take a picture of our class because I was too busy having fun doing what I love (so…not really sad).

Last time I talked about the two qualities imperative to conquering the mountains in front of us and two women who have both the ‘want to’ and the ‘show up’.

But what happens when one of those is missing?

Today we had 5 no shows; people who had appointments to see how we might help them on their journey as well as students who didn’t come to class.

We’ve learned that is to be expected and aren’t generally discouraged when potential students don’t make their appointments. Showing up to that first interview is a litmus test of sorts. It indicates someone wants it enough to deal with inconvenience, discomfort or difficulty. If they show up we have hope they will go the distance.

But what happens when someone has a deep ‘want to’ but can’t manage the ‘show up’?

What if you have big dreams but your one chance to earn some money keeps you from going to GED classes or getting help from your homework coach?

What if you have the potential to not just get your GED but be the first one in your family to go to college yet your family can’t or won’t support your efforts?

What if you are surrounded by people who believe in you, cheer you on but your kid gets sick or you’re too exhausted from working the minimum wage job that barely pays your rent to make it to class?

How do you not get discouraged? How do you not give up?

I found myself trying to give a deeply motivated student encouragement to not give up. I told her we’re here for her and, “I know this is a tough balancing act but I believe in you and your potential to achieve your goals.”