In This Article
Faith & Hope for Families
Dear Friends,
December has held a special place in my heart for as long as I can remember. As a child, it was a double dose of joy, Christmas, and my baby sister’s birthday. I remember waiting for her arrival and wondering if she might share a birthday with Jesus. She’s always wished her birthday didn’t fall just five days after Christmas, but for our family it meant two celebrations: Baby Jesus and Baby Angela. We looked forward to special meals, treats, and outings, always trying to make sure Angela’s birthday didn’t get lost in the Christmas bustle.
During my three years at Freedom House Ministries, December has become a fast-paced season of generosity and giving, unlike any other month. We welcome volunteers, are hosted by volunteers, celebrate together, document special moments, and pray that families feel the love of the season, even amid the realities they face. In the months leading up to December, we hold an expectant, flexible posture, ready for new expressions of kindness. But that is how God works: His generosity is always more than we can imagine.
And yet, December also carries a heaviness. My heart aches for those who feel left out of joy, belonging, peace, and love. As a Christian, I believe those gifts are found in the promises of Jesus and lived out through the people He places in our lives.
This year, a faith-filled volunteer named Barb has created space for residents to explore faith and build community through the 12-week Alpha program (alphausa.org). The group has shifted week to week, but Barb has remained a steady presence—warm, welcoming, and open to all. In December, Barb’s friends from Prince of Peace Church will fill our kitchen and prepare a generous breakfast for the whole house. It’s a simple but powerful gesture of love, celebrating new friendships and the community formed through Alpha.
Amid this month’s activity, my prayer is the same as every month: that those who don’t know Jesus will grow curious about the generosity they see. God invites us into a beautiful love story, one shaped by His kindness, generosity, and love.
“So God created human beings in His own image… male and female He created them.” Genesis 1:1–5, 26–27
God desires a relationship with all people. He is also stirring the hearts of those who know Him to shine hope where it’s needed most. If you’re reading this, you are likely someone He has moved, and you are already sharing His generosity in meaningful ways.
Thank you. Your prayers, donations, and time make this work possible, and they draw you into a deeper relationship with our mission. I am truly grateful for your support.
In His name,
Jennifer Schmohe
Executive Director
Freedom House Ministries
