Sometimes our lives have to be completely shaken up, changed, and rearranged to relocate us to the place we’re meant to be…in the arms of God. Anonymous
Dear Friends,
For several years, this quote has circulated and been a comforting reminder for us to be ready to adapt when life throws us a curveball and to lean into our Faith to survive change. But it struck me recently that it couldn’t have been more relevant than it is today. Stand at the Crossroads Ministries was founded to provide sanctuary and support for women whose lives have pushed them to the brink, to help them find themselves where they are supposed to be – in the arms of God.
As we all experience the painful and sudden disruption of our daily lives in the midst of this pandemic, we ask that you be in prayer for us: for health for our women and children, as well as for their needs to be met and for our financial needs to be met so we can pay our expenses. Our ladies are finding it difficult to find work and to pay expenses when hours have been cut. Then there is the added concern for the children, schooling etc.
Amazingly, our little community (which is completely full, with eight women in My Father’s House and five women and nine children in the Crossroads Community apartments) is tranquil at the moment. The women here are sharing the load, caring for the children whose mothers are working, gardening, cleaning, and preparing meals. There is a surprisingly calm comradery, as we all follow the protocols of social distancing and making sure hands and surfaces are always clean and disinfected. So far, everyone is staying well, even those with pre-existing health issues.
This has changed things for SATCM, putting many things on hold for now. Redeemed Treasures store is closed except by appointment; and those who make appointments must come wearing a mask. Store attendants are keeping all surfaces disinfected and wearing masks, as they continue to take in donations and make it safe for those who shop.
Grace House, which we had hoped to open this spring or summer, will not have renovations completed as quickly as we hoped because of volunteers who are practicing social distancing.
Our Anniversary Celebration on April 25 is postponed until Fall.
I had so hoped to celebrate to celebrate with you all our God has done for us and the ladies who we have been able to help because of all you have done for us. We will let you know when we are able to set a new date and will ask you again to save that date, because we want to celebrate our twenty years with you!
While we are all under the siege of this disease, please remember, God is with you! We are praying for you and ask that you continue to pray for us, as we know you have all these years. Stay safe, stay well, and God bless you.
In Christ’s love,
Deborah Lamb
November 25, 2019
“I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” Psalm 9:1
Dear Friends,
This year has been busy and filled with God’s wonderful deeds at Stand at the Crossroads Ministries (SATCM); and we cannot wait to share with you the litany of His work through your hands, but first we must tell you why your support is so vital.
My Father’s House and all five apartments of Crossroads Community are full, with 12 women and 14 children, and waiting lists that continue to grow. In 2019 alone, we have been home to 28 women and 25 children. Every woman who turns to SATCM has her own story – our residents represent ages from 22 to 68 and come from all socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds; in short, they could be your neighbor, your sister or your daughter. Their reasons for being homeless range from job loss, sudden abandonment or neglect to recent release from rehab or prison = and everything in between. Having reached the last of their emotional, spiritual and material resources, the Lord has sent them to us to help them rebuild their lives. They are with us from a month to a year, sometimes more; and it is our goal to send them back into the community with the tools to stand on their own and a stronger relationship with their Lord.
As opportunity arose a few months ago to respond to the urgent local need for more transitional housing for women with children, we were awestruck by your generous response to our request for prayer and wisdom. God’s blessings poured from you, with monetary donations sufficient to make the down payment on the house adjacent to our property! With some remodeling, it will provide temporary shelter for 3-4 additional families in transition.
Since the beginning of 2019, we have also been able to:
• Finish our Community Center, where babysitting for our Bible studies, classes for our residents, meetings, and special celebrations take place;
• Open our Redeemed Treasures thrift store full time; and
• Nearly complete the renovation of the storage building next to the store.
April 2020 marks the twentieth year that SATCM has provided sanctuary for women. When I started working with women at My Father’s House twenty years ago, I never dreamed that one day we would have a campus this size that has ministered to so many. On April 25, 2020, we will commemorate that anniversary so please mark your calendars – we want you to be here with us to see, to celebrate and praise God for what He has accomplished through His people in that time!
In the meantime, our vision for the new year includes remodeling our new house to accommodate multiple families and clearing and fencing our larger property to provide more security. As always, debt service, maintenance of existing structures and operating costs continue. We rely on the Lord’s provision through His people. We do not receive government funding and no one on our administrative staff receives a salary. Every dollar we receive goes into our programs, our operation, and expansion as God directs. Therefore, every contribution we receive, no matter the size, makes a big difference.
This work would not be possible without your gifts of time and treasure and your ongoing prayers for God’s blessing and provision for our residents. Thank you for being an integral part of Stand at the Crossroads Ministries. I may be the face of the ministry, but beside me are hundreds of people who keep it going and do all that needs to be done. You are the only reason we are still, after 20 years, reaching out to women and children to help them move to a better place in their lives.
May God bless you richly during this season of Thanksgiving and always,
Deborah Lamb
Executive Director
HOW TO DONATE
Make check payable to:
Stand at the Crossroads Ministries, Inc.
846 Eastern Place NE, Aiken SC 29801
Give online: https://crossroadsaiken.com/donate-online
SATCM is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Donations are tax deductible
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