The Lord has a purpose for all of us. And although sometimes that purpose isn’t always immediately clear, if we let the Lord lead us, we will come out on the other side transformed.

This was the case with Barbara. Barbara had grown up in Ocklawaha but moved to the Virgin Isles where she spent the next few decades. In August of 2008, she returned home and hoped to find a job and get her life back on track. After months of looking for work with no success, Barbara became discouraged and bored. She wanted to fill her days with

something productive and in April of 2009 she discovered Grandma and Grandpa’s (GG’s) House in Ocklawaha where she

began volunteering. “I hadn’t been to church since I was a small child,” reports Barbara. “When I found GG’s House, it felt good to be in a Christian environment again. Not only was I able to fill my time helping others, but I had an opportunity to learn about God’s word again. It was my time to get right with the Lord.”

Through her work at GG’s House, Barbara came to know Chris Langston, Executive Director of Love INC of the Heart of Florida. When Love INC opened Haggai House next door to GG’s, Barbara decided to volunteer there are well. Three days per week soon turned to five and Chris now credits Barbara as the person who set-up Haggai House which is now open for business and serving needy families in Ocklawaha and surrounding areas. Chris was so impressed with Barbara and her work ethic that Barbara now has that job she had once desperately sought – as Office Manager of Haggai House. “I really feel that roles have reversed now,” says Barbara. “I am doing the sheparding now, ministering to the people who come in here. I don’t just hand out what they need. I always try to get to the deep root of the problem and help to show them the love of God that I’ve found. I also encourage the other volunteers to do the same.”