In December of 2004, Becky Morrow heard God's voice telling her to help the homeless for the first time -- and He just kept on reaching into her heart with the thought "somebody needs to do something." By March, 2005, New Hope Community Outreach Center opened it's doors, and God moved again in June of 2005 and brought Generating H.O.P.E. into being.
With 5 children, Becky Morrow understands the concept of meeting a variety of needs from unique individuals, and she has a nurturing heart that is well used in "generating hope" to hurting people! God brought other volunteers alongside and the ministry is now beginning to flourish to the point where Becky would like to be ministering 7 days a week/365 days a year...indeed, she'd probably serve 365/24/7 if that's what God wanted!
In June of 2005, it had become apparent that New Hope needed to multiply and Generating H.O.P.E. was brought into being with God moving in truly amazing ways! The non profit paperwork went through, the support and volunteers just "materialized" and donations came through. Now Generating H.O.P.E. can bring another part of the original intent into play: actually going out to the streets to where the homeless live rather than always having them have to find a way to get to a drop-in center!
In Becky's own words: "Well where do I start. I guess I'll start with I've learned that when God decides on something He wants someone to do, it will happen -- either it will be the easy way or the hard way. When God put this deep passion with in my heart, I had already learned you might as well do it right off, because then it's a lot easier. I didn't know exactly what He wanted from me, but I knew it was something important. Then the time was right for God to let me have a glimpse of what He had in mind.
A school in our area got a grant to put together backpacks to hand out to the homeless youth in our area. I got to thinking it didn't make sense to fill these backpacks with hygiene items...you're homeless, how are you going to use these items when you don't have a place to shower?
So I brought up this dilemma to my Pastor, and reminded him that we have showers in our church. There was going to be a meeting with a group of people who want to end homelessness in our area. So we went to the meeting. They talked about opening a day drop in center. I looked at my Pastor and he knew I had something in mind. After the meeting I kind of mentioned the possibility of us doing it too, at least we had showers available and it was close to the school that was doing the backpacks.
A month went by and it was time for another meeting with the group in our area. To me, it appeared that nothing had been done during that month and it infuriated me. It was winter, and the homeless was still without services, they had to be cold, didn't anyone care? Yes, the group had a committee and a ten year plan, but what about those suffering right now? Didn't they see the immediate need to help those on the streets now? I mean, a lot can happen in ten years! I know God used my irritation and frustration to push me out of my comfort zone and step forward!
My Pastor agreed to let me open the center, but said I would have to wait until they had more insurance. Once we did, he simply said "Okay, you can open." No dragging of feet. No committees to go through. No time delays (after getting what was needed for protection for us, for the homeless, and for the church.)
We just opened this day center without a huge plan or much money, only various forms of much needed -- and much appreciated -- help from a few other people and groups -- simply trusting God and HIS plan going forth as we just "stepped out of the box"! When God made it clear that we also needed to be able to "take it to the streets", we began the next phase of this ministry: Generating H.O.P.E., and we're just so awed by how quickly the next part of God's plan happened! Those we help can still go to the drop-in center and shower but we also go to where they live and fellowship with them on "their turf", sharing in their daily lives as well.
We'll be happy to see that ten year plan happen (and they've just recently received a large grant, hallelujah!) as the homeless and poor in Yakima need a lot of help -- but I guess God just wanted someone to step up to the plate and say, "Here I am, Lord, use me now and keep on using me until I leave this earth!"
We hope that God will allow you to "catch the vision" of Generating H.O.P.E. and help in any way you can, either through prayer, helping spread the word, donations or volunteering your time. Thank you and God Bless You!
