by Janet Moore, Director of Wednesday Night Dinner

Rodney was born and raised in Seattle. He became homeless in 1997, and lived out of various cars until they would break down and get towed because he was unable to move them. When he would have to sleep outdoors, he could never relax and get a good night’s rest. He was in fear of getting beat up. This constant fear of physical harm overshadowed his life while on the streets. Rodney remembers being weary and depressed. He also remembers the challenge of constantly having to stash his belongings, hoping they would still be there when he got back. He also spent many hours walking from one place to another, often walking up to 10 miles a day just to get food.

While on the streets Rodney met people with major problems in their lives, such as drugs, alcohol, mental illness and poverty. These problems began to wear him down over time, making things seem hopeless. Having to go to various food programs also added to his stress. He was always trying not to be seen so as to avoid trouble. There were people he knew he should avoid, but his tendency was to avoid all people. He became increasingly more isolated and alone.

Rodney started coming to Wednesday Night Dinner about 8 years ago and things began to change for him. He met several Bethany members and began to form relationships with them that would last years. Rodney began to feel less isolated and alone. He also began to develop his faith and grow closer to the Lord. Through his contact at Bethany, he met with the Social Service Coordinator and filled out applications for several housing programs in Seattle. Everyone thought he would get housing in January 2006. With some persistent phone calls, he was finally able to get housing in August of 2006.

Rodney moved into a subsidized apartment building called Plymouth Place on Saturday, August 10th. Many people from Bethany helped him complete his move and the results have been absolutely great. He lives in a brand new studio apartment close to Bethany, just as he and some Bethany members prayed. Since moving into the apartment, Rodney has encountered many blessings:

• He feels like a different person and more like the man he used to be.
• He can stay clean.
• He feels safe every day.
• He has his own kitchen and doesn’t have to worry about his food being stolen.
• His building is safe and secure.
• He enjoys cooking a meal and sitting down in his own place to enjoy it.
• He senses God’s greatness.
• He praises God for a wonderful place in which to live.

Moving into his own place has also awakened many hopes and dreams:

• He hopes that God will use him in a mighty and
  powerful way to accomplish God’s work.
• He hopes to improve his communication skills so
  that he can break the pattern of isolation.
• He hopes to get his childhood piano back and record his praise music.
• He would very much like to do something positive with his music.

Finally Rodney wanted to thank Bethany for being a great place. He wants to encourage others not to be afraid to ask for help because there really is hope with God’s people.

“The whole church stood behind me—from Pastor Dan to Beth and Matt, Frank Holman and the whole Alpha team. It is really wonderful to know you are being cared about the prayed for. Once Christ came into my life, things really started to change for me. Praise God.”