FOLLOWING GOD'S SPIRIT

Jill & Brian Dejewski Co-founders, Mobile Hope

by Jill Dejewski Co-founder and Director of Programs, Mobile Hope

Saul was walking down the road and a bright light appeared and the Lord Jesus communicated directly to Saul asking him questions and telling him what to do. Moses was in the field and saw a burning bush. The Lord communicated through the bush to Moses to go to Egypt and free his people. We did not have a bright light or burning bush experience, but both Brian and I experienced the Holy Spirit’s prompting to show up at a local mobile home park, Maple Hill Estates, and do our best to love those we encountered. We continued to be prompted to show up and to build relationships with the families and dream together. Along the journey we started to put programs in place, build a leadership team, left our four-bedroom Maple Grove home, moved into the mobile home park, and built a community center. It continued to grow to the point that we both felt prompted to quit our jobs and dedicate our lives to this ministry. Some steps of obedience were easier—while others not so much—but we knew we had to choose. This journey has been taking place over the past 27 years and continues on. At Mobile Hope, we focus on education, connecting families to resources, offering healthy activities and assisting in faith development. Currently Mobile Hope is located in Corcoran and Dayton. We would like to expand into additional parks as we have found that the opportunities and needs are great. There are currently over 900 mobile home parks in Minnesota.

FOLLOWING GOD’S SPIRIT

We are so grateful for the many who show up to make Mobile Hope possible, especially the past couple of years. Recently I was leading Homework Help at the Corcoran site and I turned to see many of our second graders missing and I did not see their leader, Lenora Little. Lenora and her husband, Dan, both Lord of Life attenders, have been long-time volunteers. As I looked down I saw they were working under their table, Lenora included! These secondgrade girls had made a “club” under the table. Lenora, seeking to build relationships with the girls and wanting their learning to be fun, simply joined them! I was overwhelmed with the sense of what an honor it is to work with the volunteers who show up and find a way to build relationships which help students/families succeed. This is success on such a different level (literally, in this instance)! Following God’s Holy Spirit can take the shape of forming a nonprofit or just getting under the table to join in with those we are serving. If you would like to participate helping families at either of these mobile home parks, please contact us to find out about opportunities.

To connect with Jill or Brian and others about volunteering as a homework helper, adult English tutor, or mentor—visit lordoflife.org/mobilehope.