Adventures at LifeHouse
As the Executive Director of LifeHouse, I have an amazing job and have been blessed with a wonderful staff, supporting board and a fantastic group of givers – financially as well as with their time. One of the coolest parts of my job is that I am involved in almost everything that goes on – some more directly than others. This past month has been filled with some amazing adventures!
The first three adventures came about as a result of the April “showers” in Houston. Our house mom left to go to the grocery store with a couple of residents one Saturday and the streets were dry. While shopping (which takes a couple of hours as we use that time to teach the residents how to shop frugally) a good old fashion gully washer came up and the streets began to flood. This is not the first time for sure and usually it never floods too bad directly in front of the homes…until that weekend.
Directly in Front of Driveways
As our house mom turned onto our street to go the last 100 yards, it looked like they were going to make it home safe and sound. Well, the groceries and all the passengers arrived safe but the van was not quite as blessed!
The wonderful thing is that we are being fully reimbursed for the van (it was totaled) and are actually receiving more for it than the ministry originally invested. Only a God like ours could make that happen!
The next weekend brought more rain and an unwelcomed guest to the front door….
The "guest" crawling up the wall of the house.
Here’s a picture of the snake that greeted Anthony, our house dad, as he looked out the door after dinner one night. When he opened the door the snake was leaning up against it and almost came in the house! When, according to Anthony, he SCREAMED it slithered away and started climbing up the side of the house!! The rising water had driven him up to our front porch.
Lastly because of the heavy rains, we had a flood in our administrative offices. Here I am pushing the cart of wet, moody ceiling tiles out the door.
Thankfully, all equipment (except our little refrigerator) was saved and the rugs will be back from the cleaners in a few weeks!
Between the snake and the flood in the office we did have GREAT weather for our 2nd Annual Golf Tournament. Over 100 folks played, volunteered and supported the ministry of LifeHouse on April 21st. It was a fantastic time!
Golfers lining up with their caddies for the shotgun start!
Finally, just last Friday night I had an opportunity to speak t0 75 or so 6th – 8th graders about LifeHouse. They were having a lock in and had collected canned food for our homes.
I was a bit nervous walking into the gym at Lutheran South Academy! What do I say to a group of 12-14 year olds about a home for pregnant teens? I don’t even want them to think about that kind of stuff but the reality is they are faced with it all the time. It is just a part of our culture today.
I had 5-7 minutes to speak and after giving just the basic facts of LifeHouse, I asked a donor’s daughter if she had any questions. There was an awkward pause and then she asked her question. Her courage to ask led others to start raising their hands to ask their own questions. After 20+ minutes, the assistant principal had to stop me but there were still lots of hands in the air. It was a magical time as the girls had the freedom to ask tough questions (i.e. has anyone ever left LH to go have an abortion?) and I had the freedom to give them sometimes tough answers (i.e. yes – not a resident but an interviewee.)
I have the greatest job in the world! Challenging. Adventuresome. Life-saving. And life-changing for all (including me) involved! What kind of job do you have?
Oh my goodness! The snake and floodwaters would definitely get my attention. I’d love to know more about LifeHouse.
Good morning, Suzanne!
Thanks so much for checking out my blog post!! I am also impressed that you capitalized LifeHouse correctly. Thank you.
The mission of LifeHouse is to turn the crisis of an unplanned pregnancy into an opportunity for growth for the pregnant woman and to ensure life for her unborn child. To help this happen we provide a Christian family home setting under-girded by counseling, instruction and post-partum support. LifeHouse relies on the power of Jesus Christ and the support of the Christian community to change and save lives.
LifeHouse has been ministering in the Houston area since 1988 when a group of committed believers joined together to open a Christ-centered residential facility for pregnant teens and young women. The basis of our ministry comes from James 1:27 (Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world) and Matthew 22:36-39 (“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”) As the church we proclaim that abortion is not an option – and this is true – but we do not always provide assistance to those mothers who do choose Life for their baby. In the over 20 years of ministry we have shown the love of Christ to over 440 women and their precious unborn babies – these girls/women are our heroes.
We have two homes in South Houston, TX. One is a 4 bedroom, 3 bath home with an attached 2 bedroom/1 bath apartment that is fully paid for and can house up to six residents. The second home is in the middle of remodeling but will open on July 1st and will also house six residents. This home is also fully paid for!
These girls/women that come to our homes do not just receive room and board but are provided an example of what it is like to live in a family that cares for one another. The Houseparents’ role is critical as they demonstrate unconditional love to many who do not even want to be loved. It is an amazing thing to watch as the Holy Spirit begins to soften these women and the self-preservation walls begin to come down and the trust level is increased between the resident and the Housemom and Housedad. Many are then ripe to receive God’s free gift of salvation and are fertile ground for rich discipleship to occur.
Suzanne, the heart of what we do at LifeHouse is model family and community. I am honored to serve the Lord by serving the residents. Would love for you to visit if you are ever in the area! Blessings to you and yours.
PS Also, sent this to your email account in case you don’t get the chance to check back here.
Hi just thought i would tell you something.. This is twice now i’ve landed on your blog in the last 3 days searching for completely unrelated things. Spooky or what? If you wishto swap the links with us please let me know.