Down But Not Out

⁸ We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

2 Corinthians 4:8-9

We met Marqueta & Jacob back in 2018 at Hope Gardens family center. She came to Hope Gardens to get her life back on track and commit to a program that offered hope and healing. Her son Jacob, Jake as she calls him, was a welcome addition to the youth at HG. His big smile and kindness united the young people in an amazing way.

Marqueta successfully graduated from the Hope Gardens program and was offered a job downtown at the Union Rescue Mission as a program assistant. This past year Marqueta and Jacob received a housing voucher and moved into their own one bedroom apartment. Jacob graduated from high school in June and has since obtained a job.

Unfortunately, Marqueta has suffered from diabetes for many many years and most recently the infection in her foot resulted in the amputation of all five toes on her left foot. She’s a fighter and was not going to let this medical setback keep her down. She’s worked hard at physical therapy and has transitioned from the wheelchair to a walker and now ambulating much better with the hope to return to work soon.

Marqueta shared, ”Jake is such a wonderful son. I could never have gotten through this without him. He was by my side, every step of the way.”

Marqueta was elated to see her kitchen stocked with all the cooking essentials, cookware and utensils, giving her the ability to cook healthy meals for her and Jake.

Please pray for Jacob to find a good career path and for Marqueta’s continued healing.  She is so ready to get back to work to help those at the mission who are now where she was then!

Special thanks to Wayne, Tanya and the rest of the H2H team from Pacific Crossroads Church in Los Angeles.