H3O Expanding to the Islands
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| Thelma making fresh squeezed organic orange juice |
Thelma
came to the RMDH maybe looking for a meal or someone to talk to, but left with
a new purpose and vision for her life. Thelma’s daughter, Kelly, had recently
given birth to her daughter Haley who was suffering from heart disease.
Originally from Hawaii, the family found themselves flying all the way to San
Diego to seek the best medical care from Rady Children’s Hospital. One morning,
Thelma walked into the kitchen and said she wanted to help serve.
Throughout the next couple of weeks the H3O team got to know Thelma, who
was not only an amazing woman of God, but also a great breakfast server!
One Friday in April Thelma came in to tell us that
her granddaughter had passed away at only 22 days old. The H3O team immediately
loved on Thelma, but the next day God did something amazing. Not even 24 hours
from when Haley had passed away, a body of around 50 believers, family, and
friends gathered together from all over the United States to come console, and
support Thelma and her family. There is currently a small RMDH in Hawaii, but
Thelma’s new vision is to bring the H3O foundation alive there by serving
breakfast in not only God’s name, but Haley’s as well. Please pray for Thelma
and her family as they embark on this new journey together.
More Than Just Breakfast!
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| Laura and Maria together after shopping |
Maria is a single mom from Calexico, CA who had
less than 30 minutes to pack everything she needed before an ambulance rushed
her 8 year old son to Rady Children’s Hospital with a burst appendix. After
serving Maria breakfast a couple mornings Andy, part of the H3O team, sat down
with her just talk and pray over her son. Maria was open to talk, but was very
fragile and tied up with emotions. She expressed her loneliness to Andy, and
all the challenges that come along with being a single mom.
Not having grabbed a lot of clothes and essentials
in the 30 minutes, Andy had an idea to make her life a little easier. Part of
what the H3O ministry does is to try and come alongside those who need a little
extra help. As Andy said to Maria, “Our heart wants to stand in the gap and
help you in he name of Jesus.” The next morning Laura, a friend of the H3O
team, picked Maria up and spent the whole day with her. They went to lunch,
bought new clothes, got their nails done, and hung out. Not only was it an
amazing blessing for Maria, but also for Laura as well. Maria’s son made a full
recovery and they were able to go back home together.
Never Too Young to Start Giving
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| Emma and Ari together at her birthday party |
One the great things about the H3O foundation is
that it encourages parents to bring their children along with them to help
volunteer and serve. Meet Ari— a 4-year old child with a heart like her
heavenly Father’s. Ari and her family helped serve breakfast at the RMDH during
spring break. Little Ari had a blast making fresh squeezed organic lemonade
with her friends. While Ari was there she met a sibling of one the sick kids
across the street at Rady Children’s Hospital. She was so moved by the
encounter that she decided rather than having gifts at her birthday party, she
wanted to raise money for H3O. By the day of her birthday party, Ari was able
to raise $500 for H3O.
H30 First Dinner Service
As many of you know H3O has been serving up an
amazing breakfast at the RMDH now for over a year and a half, but the H3O team
doesn’t stop there. In April they served their first ever dinner with the help
of Panera Bread and their volunteers. One particular employee of Panera Bread
who helped serve was Sarah. She was so touched by all the families stories and
faith filled prayers that she has come back twice already on her own volition
to help serve. Sarah and her boyfriend have now adopted one day a month that
they come down to the RMDH. And Panera Bread has signed up to serve dinner once
every quarter.
H3O Has Special
Volunteer Family from Tijuana
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| The Strutton family |
Juan and Alicia Strutton have one amazing family.
In 2006 the Lord prompted them to sell their home in North County, SD and move
to Tijuana to start the first ever baby orphanage there. In 2008 they broke
ground on what they call Grace Babies’ Home, and in November of 2011 they
received their first baby from the Mexican Social Services. Adoption is not
something that happens in T.J., but the Strutton family has now made it
possible. As if they weren’t busy enough taking care of babies and 4 kids of
their own, on their off day they drove to the RMDH to help H3O serve breakfast.
They were able to minister to people in Spanish and pray over them as well.
What an amazing blessing it was to have them here. To follow and pray for the
Strutton family visit their blog at:
http://struttons.blogspot.com/p/about-us_28.html.
