Lavelle's Story and LYN Graduation

One of the great joys of Love INC ministry is watching a life transformation occur.  We get to celebrate that at LYN graduations.  When someone completes the classes and graduates from the LYN program, we don’t just celebrate that completion, or the fact that they have taken classes and learned new skills.  We celebrate the transformation that God has worked in one of His precious children. 

Recently we got to celebrate the graduation of Lavelle.  As we celebrate her transformation and what God has done in her life over the course of her involvement with LYN, we wanted to share some of her story with you, as she shared it at her graduation. 

Lavelle described her life before getting involved with Love INC like this: “Before I came to Love INC, I was a very unhappy person. I was empty, sad and alone. I worked constantly to try to fill the void, the emptiness that I felt inside of me. I began to believe that making money was more important than anything else. I was looking to myself for satisfaction, to get what I wanted. I believed that was the only thing that was necessary.”

But God was not content to let Lavelle stay in that place! He began to change her from the inside out.  He used Love INC and the LYN program to draw her to himself and to change her heart.  Here is how Lavelle has described her transformation and what God has done in her life: “My LYN neighbors have helped me to explore my faith, and to banish any doubts I had about God, prayer, myself and other people. They helped me to see that I don’t have that empty void anymore. They cared about me, and they helped me to trust.

“I trust the Holy Spirit in a way I never have before. My desire is to live by faith and to pray. I want to get into the habit of praying for others. LYN taught me about the fruits of the Spirit, and how they should be demonstrated in our lives on a daily basis. Not only through prayer, but also through Bible study and fellowship. The more I read God’s word and go to Him in prayer, the more I recognize Jesus and His voice.”

Love INC staff and volunteers cared for Lavelle in a way that allowed her to see the Love of Jesus in a new way.  That love began a new work in her heart, and as a result, Lavelle is a new creation in Christ.

As she ended her sharing in the graduation ceremony, Lavelle looked to the bright future ahead and described the vision God has given her for a new future: “I want to continue to grow in faith as I continue my walk with God through prayer. I want to become an example to others, to live in Christ all the days of my life. When this pandemic is over, I hope to join my church family every Sunday for fellowship and spiritual food. I’m so thankful to be living in God’s light! I want to always be on God’s side with my thoughts, deeds, and prayers.”

Let’s continue to celebrate Lavelle, and the many others like her who have been transformed by the love of Jesus through Love INC.  And let’s continue to pray that God would bring us those who need to hear about Him!