Blessing It Forward

Alexia was a single parent and homeless. After struggling for some time, she entered a program at Lighthouse. The ministry and its efforts to provide Christian discipleship, education, life skills development, vocational training, and transitional housing completely transformed Alexia's life, which also resulted in a profound impact on her family.

Alexia's son, J.J.'s own words say it best. J.J. spoke at his mom's graduation from the program:
"Hello everyone, my name is JJ. I was born on September 23rd to my mom Alexia and my dad Noe who separated when I was fairly young. I remember the confusion of living with my aunt and uncle and only being able to see my mom a few hours a week. But as Paul tells the church in 1 Corinthians 14:40 “But all things should be done decently and in order.”

Growing up my life has been anything but orderly. After a year my mom got custody of me. I remember my mom was always there but she would always have friends over or something going on to where she wouldn’t fully pay attention to me. But when it would just be her and me, it was the best moments together I could ever ask for. We would look up random facts, we would have awesome times together—and let me just say—my mom made some awesome forts!

By the time I was 8 years old I had attended six different schools because of how much we would move. In Proverbs 24:33-34 it says “A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.” We lived in this house that I called the broken house for a while until I began staying with my grandma. I remember always asking my mom “Where are you going to sleep tonight?”

Then my mom got into a program where I was able to go live with her. We stayed there for a few months then my mom told me we were moving into a different program. I thought to myself “Great, here we go moving again,” but in Psalms 23:1 it says, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

We came home to the Lighthouse and I began to feel happy, safe and most importantly, I knew without a doubt that I was loved. The Lighthouse changed everything. Now I can live a nice life with my family and because of this program I was able to get baptized and become closer to God. This program made me know God and as it says in Philippians 4:13 “For I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
 
Alexia was gifted a car following her graduation. She was able to get an apartment and have a fresh start.

Dave and Dawn Hogan already had a heart for the Lighthouse ministry. Recently they contacted Lighthouse because their small group at Ventura Missionary was trying to discern someone to bless as a serve experience. After hearing Alexia's story, the group decided to surprise Alexia with a check to cover her car insurance for the first few months. The Hogan's had the honor of presenting the check to Alexia. Dawn says, "Alexia cried and thanked us profusely, and kept thanking God and saying over and over, 'God is good!'"

But the story doesn't end here. Because of the way the love of Jesus has transformed her life through the ministry of Lighthouse and blessings from people like those in the Hogan's small group, Alexia wants to give back. She plans to enter the Internship Program at Lighthouse so that she can help others in the ways she has been helped. What a beautiful manner to "Bless it Forward," Alexia!