2023 November #2
By a Joy Junction Staff Member (JBF)
Your phone rings. You answer it to find that someone is asking for your help.
You own a pickup, so when someone needs assistance with their move, naturally, you are one of the first people they call.
You shop at the same store as your elderly neighbor, so when it’s time for groceries to be replenished, naturally, you are the person who is called for a ride.
You are handy with tools so when something breaks down at your friend/family member’s house, naturally, you are the one they think of first to call for help.
“Being there” for someone could mean many different things, but it’s a nice feeling to be able to help others in their time of need.
Providing a helping hand is our main goal. As with those who have called you for help, we try to be available to offer assistance with food, shelter, and programs for those who cannot gain them on their own. We want to “be there” for all those who need help.
One of our female guests, Martina (not her real name), shares how much she needed help.
Here’s her story:
It’s a Bible-based program, so that means I had to read the Bible. I was not used to that. However, as I kept working through the homework, I realized that I did need God in my life. It was a whole new concept to me. I now understand that He has always been with me, but even more, I can accept Him into my heart – and I have.
God saved me from my addiction. I can look back and see that I relapsed over and over when I tried to do things on my own, without the Lord. With my Lord, though, I have been saved…rescued. The more I read His Word, the more it has become my foundation.
The Word tells me why He Loves me so much and explains why He has never left me.
Through all my life, I have never known how to change my behaviors or addictions.
I now know it can only be done through God’s help, strength, and encouragement.
God has changed my life for the better in so many ways. I am so very thankful for Joy Junction!
Martina is grateful she now has a foundation to base her new future on. She’s trying hard to move forward. We want to offer the same opportunity to anyone who comes to us for help.
Now that the Thanksgiving season is near, we especially want to put the word out that we will be offering help in the form of a holiday meal.
For those without family or friends, getting through a holiday can be a very hard situation. Being alone during a holiday can sometimes cause discouragement or depression to sink in. We certainly don’t want that!
We use our ministry of cooking a special Thanksgiving meal for others to show the love of God. We all need to feel loved, and being fed fills an empty tummy as well as an empty void in a person’s well-being. It encourages them to feel important.
Feeling important raises a person’s self esteem and helps them feel able to take the next step.
With that said, we are once again offering the opportunity for anyone who is hungry, homeless, or has no means to cook a special meal, to eat a holiday meal with many others who would like to enjoy the same thing. The meal consists of turkey and dressing with all the fixings, along with coffee and dessert. It is served at our shelter and at our Feast event location.
The Thanksgiving season is the perfect time for the rest of us to think about serving others and lifting their spirits. Most of us have the ability to help others, one way or another.
If you would like to partner with us by sending in a gift to provide holiday meals to those who need it, please go on-line at www.joyjunction.org or call our business office at 505-217-9586. You can also mail a gift to PO Box 20550, Albuquerque, NM 87154.
