April Journeys 2013

H3O Expanding to the Islands

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!

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

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 

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.