It Works

Here at the PARC, we don't often know if we are making a difference; if we are truly having an impact in the lives of those who come. Sometimes though, we get to see a glimpse. Last week I was in Walgreens and heard a familiar voice. As I looked up and down each aisle, I saw him. There in the 'beauty products' aisle was Jeremy! Jeremy came to the PARC about 6 years ago. He is a big guy that is covered in tattoos. He was homeless and addicted to drugs. I think that it is safe to say that he was hopeless. In the beginning he would come in and grab a canvas and leave. Gradually we let him know that those were to use at the PARC, so he began to stay longer. As time went on, we got to know him and he us. He was always very quiet but slowly the relationship began to build. Then Jeremy was gone and we weren't sure what happened. We thought that maybe he had gone to prison. About a year later he showed up at the PARC to tell us that he had been sober for a year, had a job and had reunited with his son! He had gone to jail for a month, and it was like he woke up. He came out of jail and went to rehab and turned his life around. He wanted to thank us. A few months later he came in to introduce us to his son. They were on their way to Houston for a motocross race.

This past week when I found Jeremy I ran to him and gave him a hug. He said, "You will have to forgive me. I'm sweaty. I just left the gym. I'm trying to buy my son some acne pads. He is at that stage." These are the things that I quickly took note of. I had seen him earlier getting out of a nice vehicle. He had just been to the gym. He was on the phone trying to figure out what to buy for his son whom he was still in relationship with!!! ” As we continued to talk he said, "I'm doing good. I'm doing real good. I just want to thank you for what you did for me."

And there it was. It felt like a smile from God when He said, "See, I told you. I told you it makes a difference." What did we do? It doesn't feel like we did anything. We accepted Jeremy just like he was, got to know him and loved him. That is pretty much it. What we have seen is that when we do that, God can do amazing and miraculous things. And He does. Lives are being changed. This story is just a snippet of what God is doing in the lives of people who come here. I have another story that I am excited to share with you in the next newsletter. What we have seen is that the change that happens isn't only a change that impacts them, but it's a change that impacts families and this community. The ripple effect is powerful. The ripple effect is eternal. Because you support the PARC, you too are a part of this impact. Together we are making this difference. Thank you for being a part of such a place. A place of miracles and changed lives.