So often, the stories represented here are of our clients and the day to day struggles that are faced in overcoming homelessness.  This month we decided to share a different perspective . . . . that of a faithful volunteer and his journey to helping make a difference in one man’s life.

“Last November, I had the joy of bringing a message to the chapel service at the Christian Aid Center. As is my custom, I invited anyone who wished to remain after the service, to meet with me for a time of sharing and prayer. One man remained. His name was Travis.  He told me that he had just been released from prison and that he was asking God to help him turn his life around. I assured him that such would be God’s desire for him, and with God’s strength, he could do it.

Then I thought about how difficult it might be for him to follow Jesus. His background had been full of bad choices and unhelpful friends. However, Travis was determined to let God make him a new person. He sought out to do everything possible to make a new life for himself.  He began to pray regularly and find new friends who also loved Jesus. He willingly began to attend our church.  He participated in the Star program.  He started sharing at AA meetings. He joined an anger management class.  He even acquired different part time jobs and started working on fiscal responsibility.   He has also started a carpentry class at Walla Walla Community College.

It is not a journey without bumps, but Travis is still on it. His elderly mother, to whom he is giving a lot of care, told me “Travis is a totally different person from what he was.” She definitely likes the new Travis.

When I first met Travis he was an “ex-con”. Then he became “a man I mentored”. Now he is a dear brother in Christ and a special friend. Travis was recently baptized as a Christian and became a member of Pioneer United Methodist Church.  Family members and new friends were there to support him as he made this commitment to Christ and to his “new life.”  Who would have guessed it a year ago? Our God is a God of joyful surprises! And thank you, Christian Aid Center, for allowing me the opportunity to witness to Travis and so many others.”

~Randy Klassen

We, at the Christian Aid Center are so thankful to each of our volunteers that are reaching out to those in need.  We know that God’s faithfulness and provision are most frequently expressed through His servants.  Travis’s stay at the Christian Aid Center was brief, as he was able to access support through other programs in the community.  But we do know God had a plan and placed Travis with us for a reason.  During his brief stay, he chose to attend chapel and Randy Klassen happened to be leading our services on that day.  That was no accident.  Randy was able to reach out and make a difference in one man’s heart.   We are so grateful for Randy’s ministry and for the many others that choose to make a difference at the Christian Aid Center.  If you are interested in serving as a mentor or in other capacities at the Christian Aid Center, please contact us at 525-7153.  We know that what we do is because of God and through God, reaching those in need one heart at a time!