Over the last month, there has been a lot of activity at the Young Ave Project Lifehouse home. Maya and Nacie have been busy connecting with their neighbors, especially the children. The children love Miss Maya and Miss Nacie; they come running over whenever one of them gets home. 

On July 4th, Maya and Nacie had planned to have a cookout but not all the plans came together in time. Wanting to still meet with their neighbors, Maya and Nacie decided to have a Tea Party. Maya went inside and turned on their speaker to have worship music playing through the screen door. The neighbors pitched in and helped set up tables and chairs while Maya and Nacie brought their mugs outside. The kids helped pass out cookies, and everyone sat down and enjoyed themselves.

When the tea party was almost over and Maya and Nacie were about to clean up, an argument broke out between a woman and a child who was not her own. The little boy had hit her daughter, and she was angry. She had a right to be, but she was taking it too far. The mom shouted at him and let the boy have it. Then, all of a sudden, she stopped, grabbed her kids, and left. 

Miss Maya began talking with the little boy about the situation. He cried a little and felt sorry. Maya proceeded to guide the little boy across the street to apologize to the Mom and her child. After he apologized, the mom explained that she had just given her life to Christ two weeks earlier. All she wanted was the boy to be better, to be the boy and man she knew he could be. Maya responded, “Then make him better. Spend time with him.” The Mom responded as if a light bulb had just gone off in her brain; she could do that!

Thankfully, the Mom has held to her word. Maya has seen her several times just talking with him and spending time with him. The boy has taken to her, and a positive mentorship has begun.

There is victory in Christ. When we give our lives to Him, He can help us heal and be able to minister to others. Project Lifehouse isn’t just about one family ministering to a neighborhood. It is about helping a neighborhood meet Jesus, and then helping them meet and minister to their neighbors. “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity” (Psalm 133:1). May we learn from this encounter and remember we all have a part to play.  

If you would like to get involved in Project Lifehouse, email Louis Chalmers at louis@take-the-city.com.