Sometimes I Write

She sat across the table from me, pouring over her menu. I was a bit lost in my own thoughts as I recalled a similar meal only four short months ago. That first day we hung out together was awkward and yet here we are today calling each other friend. It’s amazing what God can do in a short amount of time. I have watched and walked side by side with Tonya as she began to make incredible life changes. First she entered a shelter/program. Then came the completion of her GED and receiving her CNA license for Colorado. I began picking her up for church on Sundays and inviting her to be part of our family time afterward. The relationship blossomed so quickly, and I’ve been grateful for the trust she has in me and the role she’s allowed me to play in her life.

On Easter Sunday I witnessed her new birth as she was baptized into Christ. As I listened to her talk about the ONLY person to ever be there for her EVERY time, I nodded in agreement and spoke a silent prayer to my Savior…her Savior…The Savior. As we drove to church that day I told her this is the point when the real battle begins, and that I would do my best to fight for her and with her. We’ve faced some struggles since then and more will come. I think we’re ready for them. Most of the goals we set a few months ago have been achieved, so today we enjoyed a good meal and spent time planning new goals for her future. She is excited and determined to succeed and eventually have a ministry of her own. Please pray for her as she searches for a job, a home, and maybe goes to college. Like most of us, she’d like to skip over some of the necessary steps and get down to what she really wants to be doing. Pray for her patience and her determination to see things through to completion.

Four months ago we were strangers. What could a middle class, stay-at-home-mom and a weathered street kid have in common? You would be amazed. Today Tonya gave me a gift. She said to me, “Niki, I know you work for Dry Bones, but even if you didn’t…you’d still be my friend. You and Benny don’t even know the difference you’ve made in my life and I love you for it.” That’s what it’s all about…Reaching, Rescuing, Reconciling, and Reclaiming the lost – one precious friend at a time.

(This is the article I wrote for our most recent Dry Bones newsletter. I wanted to share it here for those of you who don’t receive it in the mail.)