This month of July marked my fourth year of serving at the Timberlake Outreach Center (TOC) at
Open Door Mission (ODM). It has been four amazing years, there have been so many divine encounters in which I’ve experienced the love of God for everyone. God works in many ways, every day, every week, every month every year is different. Some are better than others, but we see God’s work in all of them. His timing is perfect.
I have learned so much. It has been a wonderful experience spiritually and personally. Throughout these years, I’ve heard stories of sorrow and happiness. I have had the opportunity to cry, laugh and rejoice with so many of our guests. I have been able to build relationships and cherish each moment as I share the good news, share some of my testimony and hear their powerful testimonies how God has blessed them here at the TOC. Guests have the opportunity to come and not only meet their needs, but also experience the love of God. Every time a guest will come back with a testimony, they will give the glory to God and thanks to the ODM/TOC for being here in their time of need. It’s interesting how God works in my life as I have been able to see other lives transformed. I am
amazed how just a smile, a hug, a positive word, a prayer, opens the heart of people. What I have
learned is that God has something new every day for us and we have to be ready to listen and
be doers of his word. My patience has been tested every day, but I know that I am growing
spiritually as I have reacted in ways I have never thought I would have. I am so grateful for the
opportunity to serve here. This is the right place for me. I want to share some of the testimonies
our guests have shared:
SOME OF OUR GUESTS TESTIMONIES:
“I want to say thanks for everything you guys do here. I was here six months ago and I was hopeless and homeless. That day I felt discouraged and disoriented, but you listened to me and prayed for me. I felt the love of God and since then I starting going to church. God gave me a good job, I just got my apartment and I feel great, loved and hopeful”.
“I came in like 3 months ago and you asked me, ‘How are you doing? You look sad.’ I said yes my mom is sick, she has cancer- you said, ‘Let’s pray God can heal her even if she is not here with us. God will touch her where she is and she will be healed. We only have to believe He can.’ I just talked to my mom. She went again to see the doctor to start treatment they made more studies and they did not find it, she is healed. Thanks to God.”
“Remember me? You prayed with me. I was excited because we had just bought a house. It’s a small house, but I had the opportunity to make it mine. You gave me some advice and prayed that God would give me wisdom to pay it. It is a small house, but after four years I paid it off. Now it’s mine. I sacrificed a lot, but God always provided me. Now I am saving to start fixing what needs to be fixed. I am so thankful God guided me and gave me the strength to do it. “
There are so many testimonies. Not just our guests, but from our wonderful volunteers that come
and serve along with us.
ROMANS 1:16-17
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel [c]of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
Evelyn Valdez
Bilingual Intake Worker