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inspiring stories
Just Let Go
My name is Sharon Jensen. I was about to lose the lease to the preschool I had been running for 28 years. It was the only source of income for
Life Together
By Devon Wayne Our small group started with eight people who didn’t know each other, but over time our stories have woven together into a beautiful tapestry. A job opportunity
An Embrace that Crossed Cultures: A Sponsorship Story
We’re both named Sam, I guess that’s what initially drew me to her sweet face in the sea of Sponsorship Cards I was looking over. I had had this small and steady feeling on my heart for awhile to step up and join the many compassionate Eastsiders in taking a sponsorship child under my financial and prayerful wing.
A Community in Support of Our Officers
On a Tuesday morning this past February, two policemen responded to a typical traffic accident call in Whittier, California; but when they appeared on the scene they were faced with much more than that. A man known to have gang affiliation had stolen the vehicle responsible for the crash that morning and opened fire on the officers as they approached him at the site of the collision. What was supposed to be standard procedure, turned into a day filled with emotion as the gunman took the life of one of the officers and injured the other.
Unpacking the Suitcase
Mike explained that it was rare for addicts to be honest when in critical need, but honest they were as they spoke that day. Leaving no stone unturned, they expounded on their situation, saying they were not married, not members of the church and currently on the verge of eviction from their motel.
Celebrating a Year of Handwritten Love
Jody Masquefa and her husband, Yves, own a restaurant in Anaheim that’s now daily serving up hope in the form of pasta to families in dire need of support. February 2, 2017 marks a year of anonymous dinners being delivered to these families at CHOC hospital who are facing the devastation and hardship that illness has imposed on their children; this is the story of how they got here.
Out of Sight, Out of Mind
January is the month devoted to creating awareness of the ever-present societal issue of Human Trafficking. US Homeland Security defines the term as a “modern-day slavery that involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act.”
Holiday Season
Making changes helped, but prayer is what got me through that dark period of my life. I remember feeling at times I couldn’t survive the hurt. I would get down on my knees and pray and cry out to God to get me through just one more day. He did.
The Domino Effect Of Love
The result was overwhelming as the same people who surround her on a daily basis at work jumped at the opportunity to serve! They worked together to supply every request on the list so that someone else’s needs would be filled last Christmas.
Low Income Kids – Abraham’s Story
“Thank you for the pencils and paper and backpack. I really like the shirt too! I don’t like it when I don’t have my stuff for school, I feel so dumb. Your pack makes me feel better. Thank you!”
Homelessness – Brett’s Story
On the hunt for a shower each morning became a new part of that routine, hygiene kits given by Eastside helping when a source to get clean was nowhere to be found.
A Love Like No Other
With the love and prayers from her teammates, Morgan became well enough to help and participate at the orphanage. God showed her that life is best lived when it is with others and she left Thailand experiencing a love she will never forget.
Where There’s A Will, There’s A Way
Eastside stepped in and was able to fund the remaining weeks of the family’s stay while their paperwork process was completed–allowing a huge weight to be lifted off this single mom’s shoulders.
A Hike to Remember
A Hike To Remember Abel Rodriguez felt compelled to start a small group. He had been attending Eastside for a few months at the invitation of his brother and sister-in-law. He
Home for Good
Dean Martin once sang a song with lyrics claiming he had his love to keep him warm, and it seems no truer words have been spoken for Virgil and Terry,
Rainbows in Mexico
Pam opened up a bible for the first time when she was 60 years old. Although she did not have a life-long relationship with Jesus, she was given an opportunity
In Celebration of Survivors
Back in September, Friends Christian Church in Yorba Linda held a spectacular event in conjunction with the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force (OCHTTF) to honor survivors of Human Trafficking
Cindy’s Story
Cindy’s Story “It’s the shirts with turtlenecks, ya know, the ones that wrap around your neck? It’s those I still can’t wear.” Even though it’s been 14 years since leaving