The service was going so great thus far. The choir sang everyone into a praise break and Drew was up there preaching like someone told him he couldn't. I just sat back in admiration at how far he has come in his journey as Bishop.
"I don't know who I'm talking to this morning but someone has been getting beat down and told that they would never amount to anything. Someone has been carrying a heavy load that seems like it won't get any better but let me explain something. When you're in the army of the Lord there is nothing that is too much or too big to handle. Because you don't have to do it alone, you have never had to do it alone. The Lord is always ready and willing to help but you have to let him. You have to allow the Lord to take you outside of your comfort zone sometimes so you can get the help that was meant for you." He said while walking around the pulpit. Various 'Amen bishop' and 'Alright now!' rang out from the congregation.
Soon he was wrapping up his sermon and it was time for invitation. Dorinda and I stood up as well as the other officiating ministers as the doors of the church opened. The choir started to softly sing Nothing To Lose as we all waited for someone to come up.
Not even 30 seconds later the young lady I saw sitting in the back stood up and started making her way down the aisle to the alter. She came up with tears flowing down her face rapidly. But they weren't tears of sadness, they were tears of relief.
Drew walked down and met her at the alter as the choir continued to sing and eventually wrap up the song. The musicians continued to quickly play as Drew spoke to the young lady. She only said a few words before Drew got back on the mic to introduce the young lady.
"Today we have Sister Victoria here to give a testimony amen. She is also here to give her life to Christ!" The congregation shouted and clapped as Drew handed her the microphone.
She cleared her throat and wipes her eyes before bringing the mic up to her mouth.
"Hello. I'm sorry for the shakiness in my voice, I was a little nervous to come up here this morning but it just felt like that sermon was for me. I am 18 years old and have been living on the streets and hotel rooms since I was 16 years old. Life aint always been easy for me and I was always alone, I felt like I never had anywhere or anyone to turn to but I was passing by the church last sunday and could hear the music and the shouting and it made me feel something I have never felt before. I was desperate to make it to this service, I tried to find my best clothes to look presentable because I just wanted to sit and watch but I realized the help that I was looking for was in here all along. The singing, the preaching, everything about this place made me feel whole and gave me hope that everything was gonna be alright and I want to feel like that everyday. So I am here to give my life to Christ so I can receive the help and the blessings that he has in store for me."
By the end of her testimony we were all shouting and praising the Lord for bringing her here. She handed the mic back to Drew as she looked around at everyone once again. She looked over to the pulpit making eye contact with me, I placed my hand over my heart and gave her a smile which she returned tearfully.
"Hallelujah! So you are willing to give your life up to the Lord and be called according to his purpose Sister?" Drew asked one final time while looking at her for an answer. She nodded before saying yes with a bright smile that caused everyone to cheer and clap.
"Praise the Lord. I'm gonna have my sister in love, Dorinda tell you everything you need to know about the church and the process of becoming saved. Dorinda come down here."
Dorinda stepped down and grabbed the young girl by the hands and lead her back into the office to tell her whatever she needed or wanted to know. As that happened we continued on with the service and by the end of offering they had come back and Dorinda had the young girl grab her things and sit in the front of the sanctuary.
She made sure the girl was settled before coming back up into the pulpit and leaning over to me.
"Karen we gotta find a way to help that baby." She whispered as the announcements were read again.
"I was thinking the same thing Doe. I mean on the streets since 16? That had to be rough." I whispered back shaking my head.
"Exactly. I told her to stay back after the service so we could talk to her more. Maybe we could get her a hotel room or something for a while to help her out." She said quickly. The service was coming to an end and it was time to pray out. We stood up and bowed our heads as Drew prayed for everyone to have safe travels home. When he was done the musicians started playing and everyone left out of the sanctuary except for the family and the young girl.
She sat there waiting patiently just looking around as Dorinda and I made our way down to her.
"Victoria you can leave your bags right here for now. We're gonna go back into the office and talk for a while if that's alright with you." Dorinda said once we had approached her.
"That's perfectly fine ma'am. Will it just be us or?" She asked as she glanced over at me.
"It'll be my sisters, Karen and Jacky, and Bishop as well. We just wanna talk to you a little more about your situation and provide some help if we can." Dorinda said softly as she sensed some uneasiness from the girl.
"Oh alright. Sorry for not speaking, I'm Victoria but you all can just call me Tori." She said as she stood up. She looked over at me and gave me an apologetic smile while messing with her shirt sleeves.
"Its alright sweetheart. I'm Karen, Bishop Drew's wife. Let's go to the back and talk a little before he comes in." I said placing my hand on her shoulder softly. She slightly tensed up when I did so but nodded and followed Dorinda into the office.
We all sat down and she looked around the office as we waited for Drew and Jacky to come in. Her eyes stopped at a family portrait of Drew and I with the kids. She lightly smiled before looking up at me.
"Is that your family?" She asked softly, almost as if she was scared to speak. I nodded with a smile before verbally answering.
"Yes it is. That's my son J. Drew and my daughter Kierra." I said pointing to them in the picture. She continued to smile softly before speaking again.
"You have a lovely family. I've always wanted to take a family picture like that." Her ending sentence turned her smile into a slight frown as she looked away from the picture and at the ground.
"Well I'm sure you'll be able to one day. It's a little hectic though so just plan ahead to the best of your abilities." I said with a light laugh thinking back to the day we took the picture.
Before she could respond Drew and Jacky had walked into the office with J Drew and Kierra standing in the doorway.
Drew came around his desk and sat down in his chair. He unbuttoned his suit jacket and got a little more comfortable before speaking.
"Alright Ms Victoria, I understand that you're going through some hardships right now and the family and I would like to help you, if you'll allow us to of course. Would you mind telling us a little more about yourself?"
"Wow that's very kind of you all. Thank you so much. I wouldn't mind telling you more but its alot and I don't want to waste any of you all's time." She said while looking around at us all.
"It's fine dear We have nothing but time." I reassured her. She nodded her head before taking a deep breath.
"Well...."
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