Bread Of Life Ministries - Message from the Director

     Shortly after my arrival at Bread of Life Ministries I was chatting with one of our shelter residents over lunch in the soup kitchen. The name of another shelter resident came up, a young woman, and I said, “I just don’t understand why a beautiful, bright and articulate person like that is staying at a homeless shelter. Why isn’t she in college or working?”

     He replied, “Until you walk in their shoes, you will probably never know. I’ve gotten to know her and she has opened up a little. She grew up in a house where her older brother was everything to the father. He was a great athlete and the father doted on him constantly. She was constantly put down, ‘you’ll never amount to anything’. Apparently the abuse was constant. The son was killed in a car accident and at the funeral the father said to the daughter ‘I wish it had been you instead’. She ran away shortly after that and has been running ever since.”

     Tears came to my eyes. I couldn't comprehend a father doing this to his
daughter. I think God gave me a well deserved rap on the side of the head that day and I remind myself frequently not to be judgmental of others “until I’ve walked in their shoes”. It has also been one of the driving forces behind our efforts to do all we can to “make a difference in people’s lives”.

     God gives us each a gift. All of the gifts God has given our staff are focused on that goal…to make a difference in people’s lives. Won’t you join us in our efforts? God gave you a gift,. come and share it with others. If you’re not sure what your gift might be or how you could use it to help others, look around our site and maybe it will be made clear to you.

Thanks and May God Bless You,

John C. Applin