Every day is a renewal, every morning a daily miracle.  This joy you feel is life.  Gertrude Stein

Dear Bridges to Home Ministry Friends:
In general, we wake up each morning feeling that life is good. No question that it has its challenges, which we face and then move forward to the next best part of life.  Sometimes people fall victim to a crime that is completely undeserved, unexpected, and senseless.  Robert, a disable veteran recently referred to Bridges to Home, experienced extreme abuse at the hands of his caregiver.  His caregiver failed in his commitment to care for Robert by stealing from him and abusing him instead.  Robert’s great niece came to his aid and is now caring for him with the love he was denied.   And, through the VA's outreach to Bridges to Home, the household items that were stolen from him or severely damaged were replaced.   Saturday October 2^nd  was a new day for Robert, a restoring miracle in his life.  A transformation occurred in his home as the team moved out the old broken items and replaced them with special items selected just for him.  Due to his ill health,  he remained in his room lying down during most of the move, but he emerged at one point to accept a very special quilt made by Pat F. just for him.  A picture of this is seen below.   After smiling at the beautiful gesture,  he retired again to his room clutching the quilt dearly to his heart.   Hopefully his faith in humankind is restored as he witnesses the true goodness and compassionate love of his fellow human beings.  

The side story to this move is also one of great compassion and willingness to go beyond ourselves.   Celeste arrived from Utah to assist her great uncle during his very trying experience.  She is 7 months pregnant; her baby boy is due to be born December 2^nd, and she has no baby furniture or apparel and no funds to purchase these necessities.  We reached out to a ministry member, Amanda, who accessed her network of friends to gather every article Celeste could possibly need when her baby arrives.   Amanda and her husband Andrew even purchased a new high chair and car seat for Celeste.  To go to this extreme for someone she had never met speaks to the connectedness of all human beings in this life on God's earth.  Amanda felt in her heart the despair Celeste was feeling, and because she could help, she stepped up beyond imagination.  Another kind donor purchased a $100 gift card so Celeste could buy diapers.  Needless to say, Celeste was speechless.  Not only was she blessed by the assistance her uncle received, but doubly blessed by the help she and her baby received.   

Please enjoy the pictures below as you see this heartwarming story unfold.  Click on the arrow in the middle right of the picture to advance through the gallery.

Connectedness is an exchange of emotion between human beings.  We all need real connection more than ever these days.  Many people reached out to connect with Robert in his time of need by financially supporting him in the purchases that were made.   Thank you to Donna K., Viad & Ben, Barbara M., Pat F., Carol M., Pam, and an anonymous donor.  By your donations, you added value and love to Robert's life again.  

Please see the email for information on the next move scheduled for Bridges to Home.   We hope you will volunteer to staff the move team.

May we be a channel of blessings for all that we meet.

Mary
[email protected]