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Robert and Melissa Give Back
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How did you find your way to Breakthrough?
Robert: We were attending a church that served a regular meal on Friday nights
at the men's shelter. Then one Sunday when our pastors were out of town,
they asked me to share my testimony. Arloa Sutter happened to be there
that Sunday, heard me share and our relationship began. A few years
later, we had moved churches and were part of a team that drove men from
the shelter to and from church each week. We caught back up with Arloa
and she invited us to take a tour of Breakthrough's Joshua Center.
We learned of the future plans for the men's shelter and realized that simply
writing a check to support Breakthrough was not enough. We wanted to get
involved in a more significant way.
What role have you stepped into at Breakthrough?
Melissa: When I realized that Garfield Park was where the Joshua Center and the new Men's shelter were located, I felt God was speaking directly to me to get involved in a place where good things were going on in a drug and addiction prone neighborhood.
Robert: I used to be homeless myself on the west side. We both have
experience with AA meetings and thought that if we each led a one-hour meeting
at the shelters, we could help people that truly need it. Many of the
guests in the shelter struggle with drugs and alcohol but homelessness can make
keeping up with meetings very difficult. This month we are celebrating
our one year anniversary of leading these meetings in Breakthrough's
shelters.
How have you grown through this experience?
Robert: I can tell you that for me it really makes me feel like I'm helping
people that really need the help from someone that understands, whose been
there. I have credibility walking through the door because I used to be
in that neighborhood actively using drugs. Being involved in a meeting where
I'm sharing God's love, there's no higher calling than that. We have
had some incredible meetings. It's a privilege and I look forward to it
every week.
Melissa: I have learned that I have to trust God. I had an image in my
mind that lots would attend and that's not what happened at first. I have
to do what He wants to do, not what I want to do. I have to be patient
and let Him develop the meeting on His timeline, not mine. There are 5-7
women who come regularly now, but that took about a year of me showing up week
in and week out. AA says if two people show up, that's enough to have a
meeting. That's the beauty.
Why would you encourage someone to volunteer?
Robert: I would encourage anyone to volunteer at Breakthrough for one
reason: God wants you to be in service to others. We must find
something to get outside of ourselves and we need to be there for those who
need our help. Anyone who can experience that, has experienced the meaning of
life.
Melissa: The only thing I would add is not to do it because you think you can
rescue and save someone. Just do it because they are people and they need
contact with other people. We can't save. God saves. But we
can give of ourselves.
Thank you Melissa and Robert. Your story is truly inspiring and your
gift to our guests is immeasurable.
Forward to a Friend >> / Partner Financially / Volunteer
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