I first heard the name Love Church back in October of 2009, when I was told I would be doing volunteer work there through a division of Welfare called Impact.  Impact is a job preparation program. I became involved in the program as a means to survive, while I got back on my feet, after leaving my husband. I was trying to take care of three children, all still in diapers, plus I had child support to pay on my fourth and oldest child, which I was falling farther behind on; with no job, no house, no bank account or money, and no real friends to speak of. To top it all off all my possessions were in storage and I was trying to figure out, on my own, how to not lose them.  I was at the end of my rope, or so I thought. It had come down to having to rely on my faith and believe that everything would be okay. Now, I was raised in the church and have built my own relationship with God as an adult, but to completely give over control to anyone or anything is a hard thing for me. I like stability and predictability, no surprises. But I had to finally fully trust God and give up control. As a result I found myself in Impact, which led me to Love Church. I started out as a mandatory volunteer or CWEP (Community Work Experience Program) person. When I first got to Love Church I thought, "Okay, whatever it takes to care for my family so be it; I'll do this, find a real job and eventually be fine." What really happened is I got involved in the heart of their vision: The, "Lets get out there and help those that really need it and want it." Oddly enough when I started I was one of them. But I began to forget my status while helping others. Then for some reason that I still haven’t figured out I was being offered a salary. This became another thing that I had to give over to God, because at the time I was being offered the job I had just reinstated my cosmetology license, which is my passion in life, next to my kids. I had to pray hard about what to do. I felt God had put me at Love Church for a reason.  In the end I took the job. I believe my decision is the only reason my heart and feet have stayed on the right path for as long as I have, and that I made it through my hard time not completely destroyed as a person. I now have a job, a bank account, a house and have made new, helpful, loving and supportive friends. I really couldn't ask for much more. But most importantly I am surrounded by others who keep me on track and share my vision in life of wanting to help others.    

Becca Pritchard