Celebrating Christmas Miracles

Our congregation, St. Johannes Lutheran Church, has partnered with Next Steps of South Carolina and The Navigation Center to support a vital ministry in the Charleston area. The Navigation Center is a nonprofit that began serving military veterans and has since expanded to support anyone in crisis. The Center's mission is to empower our most vulnerable neighbors by helping them navigate the complex system of services needed to rebuild sustainable, independent lives.

By providing a volunteer counselor and financial assistance from St Johannes and Next Steps of South Carolina, we join a robust, collaborative network of over 70 organizations dedicated to this work. Through this partnership, we can be part of actual, lasting life change. Here are a few more stories from our neighbors who have benefited from this shared work.

Opening New Doors for Debbie and Her Family

Debbie (wearing blue fleece) arrived at The Navigation Center for the first time seeking help during one of the most challenging periods of her life. After seven years in the United States without papers, she recently called the police when her husband beat her. He was charged and turned over to immigration for deportation. This left Debbie, who speaks no English and has only a periodic income as a painter, as the primary provider for her family.

With Anne from The Navigation Center serving as translator, we carefully reviewed Debbie's expenses and quickly recognized that her rent was too high. The Navigation Center immediately began searching for a more affordable apartment. During our conversation, we discovered something crucial: as an abused spouse, Debbie is now eligible for a green card. Marie Elena will begin that process immediately. John from The Navigation Center will help her secure better employment, and she will enroll in English classes as soon as possible. Her 8-year-old son, who speaks English and is in school, can help her learn.

We were able to assist with this month's rent, helping to stabilize her family during this transition. What began as a crisis has become an opportunity for transformation. Debbie left our meeting excited about her family's future, and we were inspired by her courage and determination to build a better life for her three children, two of whom were born in America.

Supporting Quanisha in Her Rural Community

Quanisha (wearing a cap) is a 71-year-old homeowner living in a nearby rural area. She is on disability due to severe arthritis and mental health issues. Recently, she faced some unexpected expenses that strained her limited budget. While she was able to cover most of these costs, her gas bill was critically overdue and about to be shut off.

We were able to pay enough to keep her gas service on for now, providing immediate relief. Quanisha is confident she can catch up on the remaining balance on her own, demonstrating her commitment to managing her finances independently. It was encouraging to provide the assistance she needed to bridge this temporary gap.

Restoring Hope for Lola's Family

Lola (with coffee) is a 44-year-old mother of three whose husband has been admitted to a VA nursing home due to dementia. Before his disease progressed, he was a wonderful father to their children. After he entered the nursing home, Lola and the children were homeless for almost a year before finally finding an apartment. Both Lola and all three of her children have some level of disability, making their journey even more challenging.

The family was doing well until their SNAP benefits stopped during the government shutdown and have not yet resumed. The Navigation Center is actively helping Lola get those benefits restarted. In the meantime, her electricity service was scheduled for disconnection. When we told her that we would be able to prevent that from happening, she began to cry.

After a moment, she asked a question that touched us deeply: "Why does a church that doesn't even know me want to help my family, when my own church won't help?" We had a long conversation afterward, and she told us she felt God's love through this act of support. Lola left our meeting much happier, and we were reminded of the profound impact that simple acts of compassion can have on those who feel forgotten.

Bridging the Gap for Tammy's New Beginning

Tammy (not pictured) is a mother of four who receives no child support from their father. She has just started a good job at MUSC, representing a significant step forward for her family. However, she needed help with her electric bill to bridge the gap until her first paycheck arrives.

Tammy was confident that she would be fine once she began receiving regular paychecks, and her positive attitude was encouraging. We were glad to provide sufficient assistance to prevent her electricity service from being disconnected for one month, giving her the stability she needs as she establishes herself in her new position. It was a privilege to support a mother who is working hard to build a better future for her children.

If you would like to know more about this ministry or how you can help, please let Tom or Pastor Aaron know.