Bill - August 2026

In Hosea 2:15, God promises to “turn the valley of Achor into a gateway of hope.” Achor translates as “trouble.” It is a beautiful promise. We all want our valleys of trouble to be turned into gateways of hope. This is quite literally what has happened to Bill. He lost his wife, his son, his home, and was living in a truck for more than a year as his health failed. He was in trouble. Today, he’s in our respite unit and would tell you that hope has, indeed, replaced his trouble. 

“I’m 66 years old and just now learning what real love is. I never had it growing up. Was taken from my parents at 5 and raised in foster care. Had lots of bad guardians, lots of abuse. As an adult, I didn’t know how to have healthy relationships—only toxic. But then God led me here, and within just a few weeks, He showed me what it’s like to be in a place that’s not toxic. I was sick and dying, and they took care of me with no strings attached. Saved my life. Several times…I get overwhelmed by the goodness in this place. I didn’t know you could get overwhelmed by love. I’m on hospice now—still praying to be healed—but I’m at peace, and I’m home. This is my family now.” 

It may seem paradoxical to couple hope with hospice, but remember Jesus’ words to Martha in John 11:25-26: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.”