The Sheepfold: Shelter, refuge, and a new beginning for abused mothers and their children

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March 2017

2016: The Year That My Foundation was Set


 

My story starts at the end of 2015. Up until then I was on drugs and homeless with 3 kids. I know what you’re thinking — typical start—but bear with me. At that time I lived my life for me, everything revolved around my high. God wasn’t even a thought in my head. If I heard someone saying that name I was like—who is that guy?

 

One night I got into it with my boyfriend, we were hitting each other, yelling and engulfed in a drug stupor. The cops were called and they separated us, but I was too out of it to speak. I was placed in the back seat of the cop car and told they had to get to the bottom of what was going on.

 

When the door of the cop car shut, I looked up and saw my 3 kids walking out with the cops. It dawned on me that they had been asleep in a tent in the backyard. I thought at that moment that I was losing my kids. I knew it was a matter of time until things caught up with me, so I was ok with going to jail and was not going to put up a fight. I felt like maybe my kids deserved to be taken away. At that moment a cop came up to the window and said, “We are going to take you home, your daughter told us where you live.” When he walked away I knew exactly what I had to do. Nothing has ever been so clear to me in my life. Looking back, I know God spoke to me that day. I needed to leave that relationship. Within days I was on a train and I haven’t been back since.

 

My Aunt had told me about Sheepfold and at first I refused to go. I was still having thoughts of getting high and wasn’t ready to make that commitment or go to a place that was going to teach me about God. Sometime later, my Aunt again called the Sheepfold and found out there was an opening. I decided go.

 

When I arrived at Sheepfold it was nice, the staff was welcoming, and I was impressed with the room and “real” beds for my family.

 

The first 6 months were hard for me, I had a problem with the rules and with authority. I still thought about using drugs every day but I didn’t. During this time, the House Managers and staff continued to show me grace, to love me and pray with and for me.

 

One night I ended up going to a prayer service where people prayed for me and laid hands on me and it was then that I finally accepted Jesus in my heart. I felt the bad leaving my body and God touching me. It felt like feathers on my face. I have accepted the consequences of my past and since then everything has fallen into place.

 

I have finally let my wall down and am able to be open with others. I can accept when I am being told “No.” Before everything had to go my way. I see so many blessings happening in my life. I don’t feel stress or anger like I used to.

 

I see such a change in my kids. They even want to pray for others. When we are out and about they now understand that we can’t always get everything we want and it is ok just to window shop. They are more understanding, well behaved and the older ones are doing much better in school. The older kids and I were baptized together at a Sheepfold event and it is a day I will never forget.

 

This has been the hardest but best year ever for me. I feel very ready to go out on my own. Every conversation and every Bible study has prepared me for what is ahead and I am forever grateful!

 

- Lisa, Sheepfold Resident

Shop or donate new or gently used goods at:

 

Sheepfold Boutique

810 N Tustin Street

Orange CA 92867

 

A House Manager’s Perspective


To me, this verse is Lisa’s life. In the past year, I have watched this mom have such an intense transformation. Once again, I feel so grateful and blessed to do what I do. Lisa is graduating our program and about to move to an affordable home with her children. In one year she made such a complete turnaround. She came to our program fresh off drugs, homeless, full of anger, fear, sadness and unable to trust anyone.

 

Her children had been through the ringer and moved from place to place. You could see that they were starving for stability. Lisa really resisted for the first few months she was here and I am so glad that God told us to bear with her and continue to show her his grace.

 

Lisa now experiences peace and she is a light to those around her. She is now the voice of reason in the house and prays for the other moms. I have laughed with, cried with, celebrated with and most of all loved Lisa. I am so excited and honored to be just a little part of her story. It is evident that only God can perform such a miraculous transformation.

 

This Christmas I was presented with a card from Lisa and inside it contained a note she had written me, I won’t disclose everything that it said but part of it read, “I love you and I trust you.” This was the best present I received by far. Please join me in continuing to pray for Lisa as she moves on and into her own home with her three beautiful children.

 

- Casey, House Manager


 

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature;
the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

- 2 Corinthians 5:17

Thank You, East Hills Church - Men's Ministry!

Being a House Manager at Sheepfold, I must admit it was nice to see the house get a good dose of masculine service and muscle. One of our shelters had the privilege of hosting East Hills Church’s Men’s Ministry Breakfast last month. Bright and early they arrived with smiling faces, ready to serve our moms and kids a pancake feast with all the fix-ins . . . sausage, fresh fruit, orange juice and the most important — COFFEE! They even brought a few carnival games and party toys for the younger kids to enjoy.

 

After breakfast, with big hearts and strong hands, they began to show our property some much needed TLC. They tackled yard work, cut back and trimmed trees, fixed sprinklers and transported some heavy items off the property. Understanding most of our residents have had a negative experience with the opposite sex, through East Hills’ Men’s Ministry they saw a shining example of how a man who loves Jesus will treat a woman.

 

- Monique, House Manager

 
 

Shelter Needs

  • Store & Gas Gift Cards
  • High Chairs
  • Booster Seats
  • Booster Car Seats
  • Toddler Beds
  • KitchenAid® Mixer
  • Food Processor
  • Knife Set
  • Vacuum
  • Vanity Mirrors
  • Bath Towels (Gray/Beige)
  • Bathroom Rugs
  • Size 3-4 Diapers
  • Summer Clothes (All Sizes)

If you would like to donate items, please drop them off at our Sheepfold Boutique:

 

810 N Tustin Street, Orange, CA 92867

Open Monday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

 

For online giving and shelter registries, please visit: thesheepfold.org/donate

 

 

 
 

Giving to The Sheepfold

 

If you are considering The Sheepfold for your year-end giving, you may donate online at thesheepfold.org/donate.

 

Thank You!

 






The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability

The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability is the respected organization that audits non-profit corporations on a yearly basis to verify that all donations were recorded properly and were used for the purpose for which they were given, and requires a full financial statement for supervision by The Sheepfold Board of Directors monthly.

 

Membership in the ECFA is only granted to non-profit corporations who meet their rigid standards. We are proud of our long-standing membership in this organization.

 

ECFA Member Logo

Fran Lundquist, Founder
The Sheepfold

Board of Directors

John Wildman, President/Executive Director

The Sheepfold

Jeff Abbott, Group Chair Convene

Bruce Bartolomeo

Retired Business Owner

Tim Blied, Law Partner

Schmiesing & Blied - Secty., The Sheepfold

Bob Brumleu, President

Omni Duct Systems

Dan Carrier, CTP

Vice President U.S. Bank

Chris Hite, Partner

Coreland Companies

Rick McCarthy, Chair/Principal Convene

CPA McCarthy & Associates

Victoria Botka Williams

Freelance Television Director

Janice Munemitsu

Generous Giving Field Team

Bill Yingling

Business Consultant

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