Depending on Jesus 1,000 percent

“Praise the Lord” is a phrase that frequently comes out of Jewel’s mouth. As famished individuals walk through the food line, she puts a scoop of nutritious vegetables on their plates and greets each of them. It was not too long ago that she was facing similar situations as the people that she serves. Even now, she is dealing with her own set of unfavorable circumstances.

Jewel grew up in Los Angeles not too far from the Dream Center, where she comes to help serve each week. One of her four sisters told her about Angelus Temple, where she started attending a couple of months ago, and as a result, found out about the outreaches and ministries of the Dream Center. She felt in her heart that God was telling her to reach out to those in need in her community, and her past church did not give her that opportunity.

For about five years now, Jewel has suffered with a chronic muscular disease as well as a mental illness, which have disabled her from working. Not only has this affected her financial condition, but she does not have the means to properly take care of her children, who have been placed in foster care. She is hoping to be able to relocate into a new place so as to make a home for her children. Nevertheless, Jewel continues to depend on Jesus “1,000 percent”, and trusts Him to meet her needs as she meets the tangible needs of others.

“The homeless and hopeless need more attention at this time than I do,” comments Jewel. She does not allow her own struggles to deter her from giving others a helping hand. In addition to the Under the Bridge outreach, which goes to Skid Row and Rampart every week to distribute plates of hot food, Jewel also wants to get involved with Project Prevention. The Project Prevention ministry of the Dream Center visits families who have been impacted by the foster care system, and gives them the opportunity to restore their family unit. Though Jewel faces hardships of her own daily, she has chosen to serve rather than seek to be served, and as a result, has blessed many hungry people in Los Angeles.