A Transition......House

When we first started at the Bolivar House, I don't think any of us were really clear on what we were doing.  We knew we were doing something different, but at the time, I don't know that it was clear just what that was, or how it would work.  There were times when I wondered if we needed to be more programed about what we were doing, and to be honest there have been people living among us that have asked that very question.  However, as we grew into who we were as a community, I think we have found that who we are and what God called us to do, have worked together pretty well.  God is good like that.

I have been re-reading the book "strangers at our door" which was written by a man who lives in a "hospitality House" down south.  They have an open door policy, to welcome anyone that stops by their house for help.  In many ways that is what we do at the Bolivar House.  We have friends that live among us and those that just stop by to talk about what is going on in their lives and we do our best to be a friend, an accountability partner and a resource to help when we can.  I have learned a lot over the past seven years and one of the biggest things is that I can't do ministry alone, and thank God I don't have to.  I have learned that I need to ask for help when I need it, and that people will be there for me and friends, that is what I am doing right now....

We are excited to announce that the Bolivar House has partnered another ministry and we are renting to own a building across the alley from our house.  We are going to provide transitional housing to males paroling out of prison.  We are very excited to be starting something new that is an extension of what we have already been doing.  Rachel and Anoroy have moved over to the new house and while we are already feeling like they are so far away, we are excited to see them step into a new and exciting ministry role.  They will be taking lead on being a support system for the men paroling and we, at the Bolivar House, will be supporting them, while also inviting these men to be part of what we are doing.

For the first time, the Bolivar House is looking for financial support to get this project off the ground.  This ministry will be self sufficient once we get the house paid for, as the rent the men pay will be enough to pay the bills.  We want to be able to charge them minimally in order to help their transition into society less stressful.  When a person comes out from prison they don't have much.  They are a person starting their life over with the scarlet letter of felony on them.  Often it is hard to find landlords that will rent to them, and it is even more difficult to pay the down deposit and first months rent on their own place when they do find one.  We are looking to provide them with a fully furnished place to go, with low rent and a loving community of support. 

Right now, we are gathering applications for our first paroles and we are also looking to fill the house with furniture by the end of February.  Over the years we have been humbled by God's provision through the generosity of His people.  I have to admit I find myself full of fear when I think of paying bills. We have stepped out in faith and often I am scared about the timing of it all.  I think things like, how am I going to pay the LES bill, let alone the rent if we don't get guys paroling at the right time?  This house will be a dance of men coming out of prison at different times and moving in and out at different times, which makes it hard to plan on the income.  For this reason, we would like to get the house paid for outright or at least paid down, so that we don't have to be stressed about the timing of guys moving in and out.  While I am learning to trust God on HIS timing, I am also hoping that you, will consider donating money to us during these first few years to help us buy this house. 

Please pray for us during this time.  Pray God provides the finances but also that He provides the timing and the right parolees to come live with us.  Pray for hearts to be open to the family and accountability we offer. Please pray a hedge of protection around the guys paroling, I have watched parolees be tempted and tested over and over again.  I have become convinced that the warfare surrounding the parolee is HUGE.  Help us fight this battle in prayer.  Also, pray for my heart, please, because I oscillate from excitement to fear WAY to quickly. 


We are available to come to churches to share our story about what God has done through the Bolivar House over the past seven years.  The stories of lives changed, the story of the support we have found through living in God's community and of loving each other through the hard times.   The story of Rachel, who paroled to our house 4 years ago and is now moving across the alley to help others parole.  The story of Anoroy, her husband, who worked as a corrections officer in the past and is going to be helping former inmates in a new way.  God works all things together for HIS purposes and we are watching His orchestration of this house in AWE.

We would love to find more people interested in helping the prisoner find true freedom and support through the family of God.  Please consider being a monthly supporter for a while or even a prayer partner...you have no idea what that would do for this ministry!!!


(I will add a picture of the house soon!!!)  If you wish to donate, it will be tax deductible, you can mail us a check, made payable to RIP (the reintegration program) to our address, 2740 R street Apt 2 Lincoln Ne 68503.  Or you can donate via credit card, use the button on the top right of this blog.

Thank you friends, for your support of the Bolivar House Ministries and our TRANSITION.......HOUSE!!!