Feed the Body, Nourish the Soul

Danny spent the next seven weeks “living” in tent camps along the Raccoon River. “Surviving” may be a better word to describe his experience—his hunger, fear and hopelessness. “I lost 23 pounds and saw and heard things I won’t ever forget,” he recalls.

He witnessed fights and beatings . . . suffered the effects of malnutrition . . . and struggled to nurture the seeds of faith that had been planted at Hope Ministries. “On the river, they knew where I came from and what Door of Faith meant. I was asked not to talk about God.” So he prayed and studied the Bible with another homeless soul who, like himself, believed in the Lord, but wasn’t following His commandments. Our staff stayed in touch with Danny while leading groups of volunteers through our Service and Mission homeless outreach teams.

“I really started praying for what God wanted me to do. I was dying on the vine—spiritually and physically—and I thought, ‘I can’t do this to myself anymore.’” Danny asked to come back to Hope Ministries and “I was welcomed with outstretched, open arms,” he says. Since returning, he has progressed through the first phase of our recovery program and once again moved to our Door of Faith facility, where he is looking forward to taking computer classes, as well as finding a church home. “The more I understand the Bible, the more my heart is opening up and I’m able to let the good stuff come in,” he says.

“I’ve fallen many times while trying to get over alcohol. But I believe this time it’s going to happen. I know the only way is through Christ.”

Dear friend, it’s only through your gifts and prayers that Hope Ministries can continue to feed the bodies and nourish the souls of people like Danny, who tell us our Christ-centered approach is what truly makes us different. God bless you for faithful support.