I have been a resident of Fayetteville, North Carolina since 2005.  Prior to moving to Fayetteville I spent the last 19 years in the northwestern suburbs of Chicago; the windy city.  I had a wonderful job with a good income; simply enjoying life. I loved to travel and would faithfully go to Florida and Arizona at least once a year to visit friends. I had a nice little savings account, a 401K and even made some investments. I had everything I needed.  Life was great! …..or at least I thought so. Then in 2002 everything changed.  In the blink of an eye my whole world crumbled.  In March my mother was diagnosed with colon cancer and by the grace of God survived the surgery. In May, I was laid off after working for a company almost 6 years. I can still remember that morning. Shortly after arriving to work, I was informed that my position was being eliminated immediately.  I no longer had a job.  Within one hour I had cleaned out my cube, packed my personal belongings and slipped out the back door without saying a single word to anyone. I never felt so insignificant in all my life.  I was no longer needed and what was even more humiliating no one noticed that I was gone. Finally in July my mom had a stroke, which ultimately took her life in September.  Since then I've lost my home and depleted all my life savings.  It was the first time ever in my life that I felt hopeless and the reality of being homeless was staring me in the face. It was during this time that I welcomed Jesus Christ into my life and accepted Him as my Savior and Lord.  And from that moment till now my life, as I once knew it has never been the same. 

For two years, after giving my life to Christ it was by the grace and mercy of God that He placed Christian women in my life who opened their homes to me; a total stranger and extended a helping hand to someone who was in desperate need of help.  These women’s homes were a place of refuge for me which allowed me time to reflect, meditate, gather my thoughts and face the frightening question “Where do I go from here”?  Being a new believer in Christ I was not used to such pure acts of kindness; this was very foreign to me. 

I soon joined a wonderful church in Palatine, IL,  Harvest Bible Chapel, and got involved in various outreach ministries.  One of the ministries I volunteered at was a women’s shelter. As I served and witnessed to these precious women I realized that they were a reflection of me.  The pain and humiliation that was on their faces was a reflection of what I was feeling on the inside. You are simply humbled and stripped of every ounce of dignity. The truth of the matter was the only difference between me and them is that someone reached out and extended to me a helping hand.

Then in March of 2005 my life took on a new journey. The Lord placed on my heart that He wanted me to leave Illinois and move back to Fayetteville.  I lived there in the early 80's, for a brief period, so I was no stranger to Fayetteville.  So after fasting and prayer I quit my job, left my church,  packed my car and made that 1000 miles journey from Chicago to Fayetteville. At that time, I did not know why the Lord was leading me here but I knew this was where He wanted me. I had to be obedient to His calling.

While seeking employment I stayed with my sister for a short season which was a blessing. During that time my only source of income was donating plasma twice a week for a grand total of $45.00.  I never knew you could tithe, buy groceries, put gas in your car, and go to a recreation center all on a $45.00 income but God showed me how.  It is amazing how you learn to stretch a $1 when you have to.  Little did I know that this was preparation for “My Father’s House Ministry’s Home for Women”. It was during these times of transition that God revealed to me the urgent need for shelters in the Fayetteville area. I was appalled at how few shelters there are in Fayetteville when there are so many homeless people wandering the streets in plain view.  Rarely does a day go by that you don't see someone homeless on the street corner.  I was moved with compassion by an article that appeared in the Fayetteville Observer entitled, "Life on the streets....for the homeless options dwindle". You honestly do not have to look very far to see that the need exists.  While I realize that there are a percentage of them who do not want to be helped I rather focus on the ones who do.

As I reflect back on the past seven years and still experiencing homelessness myself I am very thankful for the women God have brought into my life. It is because of these women and their faithfulness and obedience to God that I want to reach out and give back to the community. But most importantly it has been a journey that I could not have gone through without Jesus Christ giving me the victory over every obstacle and challenge I had to face.  “Acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will direct your step”. Proverbs: 3:6 says. He has been my "footprints" in the sand every step of the way. I now know that if I want to help other women who are transitioning in life due to difficult unforeseen circumstances and have no place to go then I have to go through first.. Then I can go back and help bring others through one woman at a time with Christ leading the way.

"My Father's House Ministry's Home for Women” is my way of reaching out to the community and offering assistance being a “refugee in the storm”.  Please join me in bringing this much needed ministry to Fayetteville and extend a helping hand.  You will be richly blessed!

Thanking you in advance ,

Cheryl Thomas