"May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints of light. He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have the redemption, the forgiveness of sins. "Col.1:11-14.

    I wanted to share what the last four days has been like here on the ground. This verse hit me because as we consider what God is doing and has done it is overwhelming. To finally be here on the ground is nothing short of amazing. It's crazy actually.   don' think a day goes by that Bill and I don't say to each other, "Do you believe we are really here?"  We serve an awesome God and because of you, your prayers, service, donating, you name it, this house has become a light in the darkness.

    Here is a snapshot of what has been happening--like I said, this was just the last four or five days. Thursday, I saw 56 year old woman who has suffered with crack cocaine addiction for most of her adult life finally surrender and say I want help. "I have never been to a long term program but I know it's what I need. I wasn't a very good mother, but I want to be a grandmother to my grand-kids".  She left for a long term Christian program out of state on Thursday morning, because you have been praying. (Christine)

  Two Sunday nights ago, as Bill and I were walking the dog on Broadway, I noticed a very pretty, badly bruised woman a few blocks up from our house.  As Bill headed home with the dog, we struck up a conversation and I discovered that this 42 year old mother had recently relapsed. She shared that this was the first Christmas after many years that she was welcomed in her family's home. She didn't know exactly how she ended back here, but was robbed and jumped by two females two nights before. After talking we walked into the house and God helped me to deliver words of encouragement to her. We talked about detox and inpatient help, I gave her my number and shared that we would be there for her. She was so full of shame. She called me a few days later and said she had been accepted to the detox and program we suggested by God's grace, and Friday morning we were on our way. Because you prayed...(Jennifer)

   Sunday Bill and I had discussed visiting one of our church family's that we love and thank God for, which meant we would be able to leave home a little later than we usually do. We were going to leave at 9:45 but this time--you know what I am going to say. The door bell rang at 9:40 and a woman we have known for years was on our doorstep in tears saying she gives up, knowing she needs to surrender her life fully to Christ. She has known Him personally but continues to walk away from Him and believe the lies that the enemy tells her--that she will never be free from her addiction to crack and lifestyle to support it. We talked, cried, prayed and yes, God opened the door for her to leave on Monday for long term Christian discipleship program. She leaves behind a boyfriend who uses as well, knowing that this is what she needs.Yes, Monday morning that nasty weather and all, she arrives at 9 am. The bus was late but she wasn't. (Sonia)

   If you are thinking this is "crazy", it is. God's specific unconditional, never changing love for us is completely radical! We love you, thank God for you, and wouldn't be where we are now without all of you. Thank you for partnering with us as we seek to make His love and forgiveness known to these precious broken daughters. Brenda and the SHAN team

 By the way aren't you glad He knows our name? So crazy, but so true!  He is the God of detail, every single one, every single time.