“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29 NIV)

The following, from Saturday, is told by Marian, a woman who has been serving, for many years, the homeless people in Chicago, which she began doing after the death of her young son, Timothy.

Good Morning!

Wonderful week at Tim’s House and we have continued to place people in hotel rooms during the bitter cold days. Yesterday, we paid for 6 rooms for the people who are completely outside and they will be there until Monday. I wish I could adequately share the joy and complete gratitude expressed by each person who has had this opportunity to sleep in a warm bed. Honestly, the gift of having a warm place and a bed to sleep in is something that I know that I take for granted! After staying at the motel, one man walked into Tim’s House with a huge smile on his face with both arms in the air, “It’s a whole new world! Thank you!” People are so grateful and continue to tell me that “I don’t know how I can ever thank this Ministry!” We have had a rough winter here in Chicago, and thank you to everyone who has helped to make this possible through your donations!

After our sweet volunteers cooked and served a hot breakfast all morning, beginning at 8 a.m. while baking brownies (and frosting them) for our birthday celebration, Mel stopped by with 60 bagged lunches and more treats! God is so good, and there was something about the aroma of chocolate brownies baking in the oven that added to the ‘feeling of being at home.’ People enjoy this breakfast so much and they love visiting and seeing people, resting, helping themselves to clothing, and as ‘Mike’ said yesterday as he was visiting with someone while eating, “I love this place!” It is so amazing to me because it does feel like home for everyone.

We sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to Eric and Felix, and everyone helped themselves to the homemade frosted brownies and also take-home cheese bread and bagged lunches that Mel and her 95-year old Dad put together! Thank you and God bless you Don!

A man came up to me yesterday and said, “I believe in Miracles!’ He said, “I got this coat last week, and today I just walked to the stage (where we keep clothing) and look at these shoes! They fit perfect and they are so nice and I didn’t even tell you that I needed shoes! And look, I got this backpack too, and it’s just what I needed!” Only God knows what we need, and this happens all the time! Thank you for your beautiful donations!!!

The above photo is from Wednesday night’s dinner. We gather on Wednesday from 3 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. and have a wonderful Bible Study and time of sharing after dinner.

PRAYING TOGETHER FOR UKRAINE AND THE WORLD
After breakfast and celebrating birthdays, we gathered yesterday (Friday) for our Bible Study. As we opened in prayer, a man to my left prayed for the people in Ukraine and then, one by one, many people prayed for the people there; and I was just in awe of the compassion I could hear from people who do not have much in this world, but they know what it is to experience hardship. And as one man said, “I can’t imagine!” We read from the Bible of how God, many times, allowed a small army to conquer a vast army (2 Chronicles 14). “Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. Lord, you are our God….” (from verse 11). We talked about whatever we face, when we are coming against something bigger than us; and even though it feels impossible, as with David and Goliath, that we can trust God because He is all powerful!

Love and Blessings,

Marian

For a video and to click on compelling “Stories,” and find more information, see http://www.timothysministry.org