FAITH-BASED MINISTRY HELPS THE HOMELESS FIND HOPE
By Jeremy Reynalds
Special Correspondent for ASSIST News Service
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (ANS) -- Joy Junction, New Mexico¹s largest homeless shelter, is a faith- based ministry that focuses on getting homeless families back on their feet again and reintegrated into mainstream community life.
Not accepting any government funding we depend on the generosity of concerned community members to keep our doors open. Sometimes our friends and supporters ask us, ³Does Joy Junction really help people get back on their feet again and reintegrated into mainstream community life?² The answer is a resounding ³Yes!²
Here is the story of one family that has been helped by Joy Junction. Their story is typical of families helped by faith- based ministries and rescue missions nationwide.
Sinking into homelessness while on the east coast, George and Jenna (not their real names) figured they could be homeless anywhere, so why not try another part of the country and see if they had better fortune.
They headed west with their children, stopping intermittently along the way to see if there was anywhere they might like to settle. There wasn¹t, so without a final destination in mind, they kept going.
Jenna said, ³We came to Albuquerque and decided to say after we looked in the local papers at the job listings. We also looked in the phone book to see how many electrical contractors there were, considering that we are both electricians. While we were looking in the phone book we looked up homeless shelters and found some listings. Joy Junction was one of (them). We called them and they said that we could stay together as a family. So, we found our way here to Joy Junction. Joy Junction was the first place that we stopped. We believe that the Lord brought us here.²
Initially a little disoriented after their cross country trek, they soon settled in and George immediately started looking for work. George found employment with a sympathetic businessman and Jenna joined Joy Junction¹s life skills program.
³We were at our lowest when we arrived here, no vehicle, no jobs, no money, no home. Now we have a job, vehicle, a roof over our heads, a little money saved up and hope for the future, and all of this happened with in two months and with the help of Joy Junction. Being homeless with our four daughters with no (idea) of where we were going to live, Joy Junction has helped us cope with our homeless situation,² Jenna said.
She added people who have lost everything don¹t have to stay where they are.
Jenna said, ³If you have a little drive, will power and want to, things can be accomplished, even when you¹re at rock bottom.²
However, Jenna said, not everyone is like that. In the midst of their family crisis, something stood out to her. ³We¹ve noticed that a lot of people in the same situation just do not have the desire, will power or desire. But thanks to the help of Joy Junction the staff and the system we were able to feel like we are part (of) normal society one again.²
Getting the homeless back into ³normal society² again. That is what Joy Junction and other faith- based ministries are all about. Rather than being just an ³agency² that gives free food, a place to stay, we call our guests to accountability for their past actions but tell them that the answer to all of their problems lies in a relationship with Jesus Christ.
If you like the concept of ³faith- based² ministry and you¹re in New Mexico, give Joy Junction a call at (505) 877- 6967. If you live somewhere else, give the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions a call at 1 800 624-5156. There¹s a ministry similar to Joy Junction in your area.
