Where We Have Been and Where We Are Going

I have a full range of emotions going on right now. So many things. I'll just focus on the PARC right now. First of all, this is our 10th anniversary! I was sharing with someone the other day just a portion of our story. When Robert and I started we had $150.00. When we bought our building that had been a former strip club and swingers club, it was all black and termite infested. At that time we had $1200.00 in the bank! And now we are about to build a whole new, brand new, beautiful building!! On property that we own. We had to move into a temporary building that we put on property that we own!! Just the thought of all of that is more than I can even comprehend. How did this happen? How did we get here? All I can say is "God". Please hear me, I don't mean that tritely. It is God that has done this on behalf of the PARC.

As we walk through this transitional time, there are many, many emotions attached. We had to move out of our quirky, little beautiful building into a temporary  'modular' building. Leaving that building was a 'hard' step for me. If those walls could talk. So many memories. All the people that have passed through. All the churches and volunteers that came together to give us a building that could host everyone and anyone who came with beauty and excellence. And oh my goodness, the hundreds and hundreds of lives that have passed through. People that were shown value when they had forgotten who they were. Those who found love and acceptance with no judgement at a time in there lives where that is rare and seldom known. Those who were miraculously changed and who will never be the same!! It happened there.

After we got moved out I did a final walk through on my own. Just to take it all in. To remember and to be grateful. It brought back memories of Robert. I miss him. He has been gone 7 years this week. I remembered those first years and the members that came when we didn't really know what we were doing but we believed in it. I can go on and on. So many memories, miracles and unexpected opportunities. I am so very grateful.

Now we are in our transitional building. It doesn't seem to have the same 'personality' but it is who we are right now. This is what we are doing. In this place we will continue to love and show value, to accept, to partner with God to change lives. This place will be full of love. This we know. 

What is next? Today they are demolishing our little building as we watch from our transitional building. We are sad and expectant. Soon we will see the beginnings of the construction for which we have dreamed coming to pass. It exceeds all my expectations. I still have the same doubts. How will we pay for it all? What people are going to help take care of all of this? One thing I know. They are coming. Those who are homeless are coming. More and more are coming. And this is the place where God has put us. I know that with absolute certainty. He put us here, He loves the PARC and he has great plans for our future. He will provide. He always has, and He will continue to do so.