Building an Unshakable Kingdom (part 3)

Me and Mel having some fun

I am being put to good use here in Christchurch! Everyday is filled with purpose and passion as we stay focused on our mission to help in anyway we can. I gotta take some time to tell you about my dear friend Mel who has become a huge inspiration to my life. She is a woman of courage and ambition who never ceases to do the will of her Lord. This beautiful blonde bombshell has a radical story of redemption and grace as God saved her and her two beautiful girls Katie (16) and Alex (6). 

She was given a mighty calling early on in her journey of faith and has followed her God given purpose no matter how difficult and trying it might be. She moved into a difficult part of town, sold everything and started a “Princess club” for young girls who desperately need to hear they are loved, treasured, and beautiful……more on that later.

She has taught me what it means to believe that God will provide and to live life in a place that welcomes him to show up in big ways. We would sit together late into the night and heard story after story of how specific God is with our needs. When she is in need of anything, weather its financial or simply a new pair of shoes for one of the girls, she lifts it up in prayer and most of the time God will miraculously bring it to her door.

She has become so beloved in the community that many people have turned to her in this time of crisis…..which is where me and my friend Jodi come into the story!

One of the biggest problems after the quake is that many residents in their fear, have packed up, trashed and then abandoned their homes. This has left many landlords nearing bankruptcy as it costs nearly 3,000 to clear out and dump the waste that fills nearly 300 homes in the area. Their tenants left so abruptly that it has become close to impossible to bill them, leaving these landlords with huge debts. Since the quake Mel has been cleaning these houses out in exchange for a small donation towards her dream home which is to be a community house that she will use to help even more girls.

 Everyday we show up at a house and salvage whatever is still in good condition and set it aside to give to people who have lost everything. Most of the day is spent clearing out and cleaning up all the trash and junk and make trips to the dump. Although it’s hard and dirty work; it’s rewarding to be able to bless these landlords that are a forgotten bunch. We do our best to show them Jesus in a real way and love on them as much as possible. I am treasuring every day spent with my friend and am continually blown away by how much fun it can be to be used by God!