Stories of Hope

Real stories to stir up your faith, inspire hope and encourage you to walk in love.... wherever you go.

December 2025

Community Partnerships!

December was filled with joy as we partnered with various community groups to bless seniors: Branches Home School community, Weapon X Worldwide - Blue Energy, and VMA Curls all blessed the seniors at the senior homes where we provide weekly church services. The blessings included gift baskets, stockings stuffed with gifts for seniors, makeovers and hair-dos, and compassionate presence! Please enjoy pictures of these three partnership events which were such a blessing to the communities where we serve. We are grateful to all those who gave and served with us during the holidays!

Singing is Good Medicine for the Soul

Christine was able to coordinate Christmas Caroling for the seniors at four different senior homes this year. One home was an extended care convalescent hospital where there were over 100 residents and many who are bed-bound. As adults and children went from room to room and through the hallways, we encountered residents smiling, singing, and even crying. At each of the four homes where we sang, there were meaningful interactions with residents and staff, who thanked us for coming to spread Christmas cheer and invited us back any time. Something as simple as singing a song can really share joy and love, especially with those who are feeling lonely and down–not just during the holidays, but all year long. May I suggest you add singing to your list of ways to minister to others?

Grief Group

December brought the second grief group at San Antonio hospital. Christine and Jessica were met with 6 women who came for the second time. One specifically said she looked forward to this group all week, and that was her reason for leaving the house that day. An older widow who came to the group made gifts to give out at the grief group which were a way to honor her husband–she sewed a gift bag from his pajama pants and put his favorite tea and treat in it and brought enough to give away. Another attendee shared how this Thanksgiving and Christmas was the first holiday season since the loss of her sister and partner in business earlier in 2025. She expressed how much it helped her to have people she could talk to about her loved ones, as well as to know there is community support. Christine continues to volunteer as a chaplain at the hospital and both Christine and Jessica look forward to seeing how they can continue to support those who are grieving through the partnership with San Antonio hospital in 2026.

November 2025

A NEW senior church community!

After praying for opportunities to get into other senior living homes, a door was opened and Christine was welcomed into a nearby memory care home where there are 16 residents. The first service was held mid-November. Christine looks forward to training up a team to minister to these precious men and women who are in need of hope and connection. We now are offering church in four local senior homes!

Sharing about Service - An invitation to others

Christine had the opportunity to share at a young adults gathering at a local church where she grew up. The message that night was focused on service and giving. They invited her to come share about Ahava Pathways and the ways the ministry is serving the elderly, in particular. After sharing, Christine had many sign up as interested and three of the young adults and another couple have signed up to shadow and join for church service at the local senior homes. Christine is passionate about equipping the body of Christ for acts of service, and we are so excited for these upcoming shadow opportunities in December!

Caring for Widows

Donna is a widow who lost her husband just one month ago. A director of one of the local senior homes where we hold church services reached out to Christine because she had come in contact with Donna and identified her as needing immediate grief support. Christine was able to go visit her in her home and determine her needs, both emotionally and physically. Aside from offering weekly grief support counsel to meet spiritual and emotional needs, Christine was able to facilitate a group coming over to help Donna with her needs at home, which included sorting through boxes and many items. She and her husband had intended to move out of state, when he ended up getting gravely ill and passed away. James 1:27 states, “True religion is this, to care for widows and orphans in their time of need.” Donna is overwhelmed not only with grief, but also with the love and care of total strangers. She is seeing God’s love for her and being impacted by compassionate care and presence.

Gathering...and Gathering some more

After sharing about the ministry with a small group, the leader contacted Christine and asked how they can serve the seniors. Many from the small group joined Christine one Sunday at a local senior home to provide a worship service with live music and guitar. They participated in the service and at the end, enjoyed a thanksgiving dessert together in fellowship. It was beautiful to watch each of the residents connect with another person, and to see how important it is to gather together. In the gathering, we minister to one another and we bring love and friendship to those we are lonely. Purpose is reaffirmed, and our prayer is that every person leaves those spaces reminded that they matter.

A Tea with Testimonies

The residents at one of the senior homes have been wanting to host a tea where they can invite their friends who do not attend the church service, as well as friends outside of their senior home community. In mid November, a team of 5 adults and 4 children came together to serve the seniors at our first ever Tea! It was great to see over 20 seniors come in and enjoy tea and snacks and share with one another about what God is doing in their lives. We witnessed the seniors being a light in their own community, and others were able to get a taste of what it is like to come together in sweet fellowship. We are praying that more will join us as we continue to gather Sunday afternoons for church fellowship.

Friends, wherever you are today, be present there. And may the Lord minister to you and through you. Your presence matters. God bless you!

With Love, Christine

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