The children and families that come to the Mission Center in Longview, Texas, are part of my community, not just by physically living nearby, but by playing a role in my spiritual community of believers.

My husband served on staff at a local community mission that opened seven days a week to serve hot meals, provide enrichment classes and crisis relief, and serve as a location for Sunday morning church. We have since moved on to another congregation but I still see members of this church family from time to time.

Several of the faces we serve at Buckner are the same individuals I’ve worshiped with on Sunday. I’ve seen their mental illness in action, watched addiction rip their families apart and even known people who served time in prison as a consequence of bad decisions.

Recently, a woman named Belinda came to receive clothing from the Mission Center. She is a victim of generational homelessness and suffers from mental health issues due to the lifestyle of her mother during pregnancy.

Her relationship with her mother was constantly changing, from periods of not speaking to seasons of getting along, hugging and talking all the time. I never knew what to expect.

When I saw Belinda in the Mission Center, I asked how she had been. She paused, dropped her head and began crying. “Well, we lost mother about two months ago,” she said. I hugged her and asked if there was anything I could do. She said, “Prayer is really all that is getting our family through.” We joined hands to pray.

As we finished praying, I shared with her that my dad had some medical issues and asked if she would be in prayer for my family as well. Her response was, “Let’s pray now.” This took my breath away.

Many times I aim to help meet an individual’s physical and spiritual needs and they immediately turn around and play a role in meeting mine.

At the entrance of the Buckner Mission Center is this inscription: “May all who enter as guests leave as friends.”

Prayer of the Week:
-God, help us to love those who are broken in body and spirit, that they may know, love and rejoice in you.
-God, be with those who are victims of addiction. Heal them of their disease, and heal their families, who suffer with the addict emotionally, financially and even physically.

If you are interested in submitting a devotional for Buckner Faith Focus, please e-mail lhollon@buckner.org.

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