“So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” – 1 Cor. 13:13
A legendary Auntie from one of our Hub Spots just passed away, and it has shaken our community – but in a beautiful way, because of the power of a simple gift. This precious story is especially relevant considering the season we are all entering into with Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner.
Here is what a Hub Spot leader wrote about this special Auntie:
“This special Auntie has been coming to our Hub Spot since the beginning. She’s family! She was known as the pit bull – she had grit like no other. She would take the young girls on the street into her tents so they would be safe at night. She loved coming to the Hub. Loved the worship, loved the public reading of scripture…. I loved seeing her letting God’s word wash over her and the peace that would come.”
“At our Christmas event last year, I brought Auntie a Christmas gift. It was wrapped in red, her favorite color. When she received the gift from me, with tears in her eyes and she said, ‘this is the first gift I have received’. To which I responded, ‘your first gift this year?’ And she replied, ‘my first gift I have ever received.'”
Take a moment to re-read Auntie’s response. Let it sink in, the reality of what happened for this Auntie at her Hub Spot, just months before she passed away to go and be with Jesus. Her whole life on this earth, she had never once received a Christmas gift. For some of us, it’s hard to believe. But these are the stories we hear from the streets all the time. Kids growing up in tragically abusive or neglectful homes, will never once receive a Christmas gift.
Thankfully, our dedicated Hub Spot leaders, inspired by the love of Jesus, are changing lives. This Auntie’s story could have been one of despair, but because of our faith, hope, and love, it became one of triumph. A beautiful Auntie is now in heaven with Jesus, being showered with gifts beyond her imagination.
Our Hub Spots offer vital spaces where housed and unhoused people come together, fostering compassion and spreading the love of Jesus across Oahu. Your support for River of Life Mission makes all of this possible.
Your support transforms lives. Together, we bring hope to our neighbors who have lost it. We want to create more stories like Auntie’s and share more life-changing gifts. In our new season at River of Life Mission, it’s all about coming together and locking down on the “greatest of these” – LOVE.
Would you consider digging deep this year, and going above and beyond to help us do even more in 2024? River of Life Mission has been led for 35 years, by your generous giving! In this season of growth, your contributions will go even further, allowing us to expand our Hub Spots, share more transformational gifts, and, most importantly, take the love of Jesus to all. May God bless you for your generous giving – it will continue changing lives and expanding the reach of God’s love.
Aloha and Blessings,
Pastor Paul Gates
Executive Director