Elena's Testimony

Awaiting release from prison, I remember thinking, “How will I be able to support my family with a criminal record. No one will hire me, what will I do?” That was 5 years ago. I heard at Anna Ogden Hall that Christ Kitchen is a place where I could make a little cigarette money. So I came for that reason. But then I sat through the Bible studies and I was intrigued. Even though I had attended church growing up in a different religious environment, I had never heard about God and Jesus only about prophets. The Bible study at the Kitchen focused on Jesus and explained the Bible and related my life to Scripture. I wanted to hear more about this guy Jesus. I’ve learned that He is a loving, forgiving God. I have learned to love myself, my family, and feel blessed through my job. It’s been like a rebirth. Now I use Prayer instead of withdrawing and turning to drugs.

I was shocked when I was asked to become a manager. They told me I was a good, hard worker, but that was hard to understand because I felt so dirty and unworthy coming out of prison. I felt so blessed to be considered for a higher position and to be given an additional opportunity. Now I am working full time, running the finishing production and catering. Jan tells me I’m pretty good at both. I’m learning to be an obedient servant so God's love and mercy can freely flow through me to the people around me.

I've been a manager at Christ Kitchen for 3 years now. It's more than a job to me, it’s where I feel safe. I love that I can walk into the kitchen at any time in the day and there is always someone here willing to pray with me, talk to with me, and comfort me. I’m learning how important it is to do the same with others. Christ Kitchen is my home and everyone here is my family. I have made good friends at the Kitchen.

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