Email: Charlotte Craxton

Friends,

Greetings from Atlanta! I finally got to see my husband Paul for the first time since we got married. He was able to stay for two weeks, and it was so nice to spend that time with him. It was also nice to get a break for the first time since I came here. It was much needed.

During March, our house went on a discernment retreat to help us figure out how to discern what God’s future plans for us are. I don’t know how much I really got out of it, but I do know that I want to be fluent in Spanish and that I want to share the Word of God with people who aren’t familiar with it. I still have no idea how and where God wants me to do this, but I have faith He will reveal it to me in His time.

During the first week of April, Paul and I went to Hawaii. He left for Kuwait shortly after we returned. When I went back to work, I learned of several important things that happened while I was away. We lost two key employees. One of them started working here about the same time I did and we became fast friends. Unfortunately he has HIV and learned that he also has liver cancer, so he is now undergoing chemotherapy. The other person was in charge of the Trinity House (our transitional house). A lot of the men who are staying there for recovery are pretty upset about him leaving because he was such an inspiration to them. It was a shock to hear about both of these men leaving and I’m praying that they will be okay and that Trinity can find capable people to fill their shoes.

Another thing that happened while I was gone was that our Trinity Lodge burned down. Trinity Lodge was available to the men who graduated from the Trinity House program but were not ready to live independently yet. There were four guys living in the lodge when one of their girlfriends threw a fire bomb on her boyfriend’s bed. Fortunately, everyone got out of the lodge in time and no one was hurt, but unfortunately all their possessions were destroyed.

I have finally gotten back into the swing of things since my vacation, but I’ve noticed that I’m not enjoying work like I use to. One problem is happening during the Trinity Table (our soup kitchen). It’s starting to get pretty hot here (yesterday is was 89 degrees), and most of the homeless men that come through the kitchen are either carrying a lot of stuff, or are wearing a bunch of clothes so they don’t have to carry them. Because of this, they are in pretty bad moods having to stand outside in the heat while waiting to come in. Sometimes, when I’m supervising the outside where we hand out clothes, I have to be firm with certain people when they are only allowed to take one item and try to sneak three or four. When I catch them I really have to restrain myself from getting into and argument, especially when they are cussing me out or spitting on me. It’s a very humbling experience to take abuse from someone else, especially when you work hard every Sunday to make sure they have food to eat. I think humility is one of the most important lessons God is trying to teach me this year. I just have to remind myself that I am here to serve these men and to truly serve them is to love them like Jesus loves us.

I have a couple of things I need prayer for. Please pray for God to continue to bless my marriage to Paul while we are apart for the next six months. Also please pray for my friend who has liver cancer. The last thing I need prayer about is for financial support. I haven’t reached my goal yet for this year, but I know God is faithful and it will work out. I want to keep thanking you for all your prayers and support. I hope God is pouring his blessings on you!

Charlotte