Giving Back…
In So Many Ways

What made performing in worship with the Jubilee Dancers at the Mission’s volunteer luncheon so special for Noel was being able to give back to those who gave to her. From August 2002 to July 2004, Noel was a student in our restoration and recovery program. She is now an example of a life radically transformed by God.

Noel stated,

“It was awesome to look out at the crowd while I was dancing and see so many faces of the people who touched my life and ministered to me for 2 years! Now I was performing in worship through dance and giving back to them. When I finished dancing I just stood in the back of the room and cried. What a blessing...God is awesome.”

Noel came through our doors addicted to cocaine and alcohol…living from house to house and friend to friend…homeless. In grief over the loss of her mother and grandmother, she was hurting and lost. Just 3 days after she arrived, she accepted Christ as her Savior. She said,

“It took my girls about 6 months before they too accepted the Lord. They needed to see me start to change before they believed and trusted. They had a lot of hurt and anger and they hated me for what I had put them through. Through counseling and healing from the Lord, they were able to forgive me. Now we have a great relationship.”

Over the 2 years Noel was in our women and children’s program, she continued to grow strong in her faith. She attended discipleship classes, parenting classes, life skills training, academic education, computer literacy, and received counseling and addictions recovery and relapse prevention. Equipped with all of these tools, Noel began to develop a strong desire to help others.

A month before she graduated from our program, Noel was hired as a Housing Case Manager by Comin’ Home, a non-profit social service agency that works with dual diagnosed homeless veterans helping them find transitional housing. Noel stated,

“The rewarding part of my job is seeing people succeed. To see them transition from where they came to us to where they are now…in an apartment, stable, and productive.”

From being homeless at one time herself, to now helping others find housing…is indeed a total turn around of Noel’s life.

Noel also works part time at our Women and Children’s Center. She’s helping women who are…where she once was.

Noel lives in an apartment with her 2 teenage daughters. Her youngest daughter also dances with the Jubilee Dancers. This ensemble is comprised of 10 girls and Noel. Noel added,

“I want young people to know there are different ways to worship the Lord. Dancing and music are a great way to express your worship.”

I must admit…it is also very special for us to see how far God has taken Noel. We were all blessed by her worship in dance at the luncheon… to know that we all played a small part in the transformation and restoration of her life.

Many of us also cried…with tears of joy. Your support of the Mission has allowed Noel to give back…in so many ways.