He tried everything to keep his daughters under his care and avoid living on the street.
When Raymond fell on hard times, he made it his priority was to make sure he didn’t lose his two daughters. For years, they lived with extended family sleeping on sofas, countless motels, and even a tent in a garage.
Eventually he heard about the Orange County Rescue Mission from a volunteer at a make-shift Sunday church service at the motel where they were staying. The mission was full so he was instructed to call every week to see if they got an opening.
Raymond really wanted to get into a stable environment and get into a program. He called week after week with no result, but he didn’t give up or lose hope. He kept calling. Five weeks went by, then ten… but he kept calling. Fifteen weeks in a row he kept calling. Still no openings.
16, 17, 18, 19… calls and still no openings at the mission. Finally after calling every week for five months Raymond’s persistence finally paid off… an opening came up and he got it.
Raymond and his two daughters moved in and stayed for three years. It was really hard for the girls to live in a temporary shelter. They couldn’t invite their school friends over. They felt embarrassed. But they endured.
Eventually Raymond graduated the program and he allowed God to do a good work in his life. He now has a job and found an apartment.
Raymond’s story reminds me of one of the most powerful speeches ever delivered. In the midst of WW2 Winston Churchill put it quite simply… “Never, never, never give in.”
This past week the Deed and Truth House2home team from Grace Church in Laguna Niguel was happy to reward Raymond’s efforts by turning their house into a home. The girls were excited to get a bunk bed and all the trimmings for their very own room… something they haven’t had… ever!
Raymond and the girls are very appreciative to the volunteers and donors who made this transformation possible. We thank each one of you who have given lightly-used furniture and furnishings and financial donations to the ministry. You have made a difference in another family’s lives.
Your generous and compassionate gifts are making a difference for Miley, Destiny, and their father Raymond and it’s a gift that keeps on giving, day after day, night after night, as their house has become a home and everywhere they look, every item they see, is a reminder that they are loved and they are finally home.