A Ministry of Encouragement

When clients call Love INC’s office, they often hear the familiar voice of Love INC’s board member & volunteer, Lauri Hillman. Lauri has been working the  phones since 2009 , answering countless calls, listening to story after story, some of which are difficult to hear. Lauri explains, “We get calls from everyone: young people, older people, people that are struggling, and people that lack basic needs like shoes. Some of them have never been down on their luck before, and they just don’t know what to do.”

Lauri is motivated to volunteer in part because of her own story. She knows from experience how challenging it can be when life takes a bad turn, and you have nowhere to go. As a teenager, Lauri had two children of her own, and little hope for providing for them. She struggled with alcohol addiction, was married and divorced, and in need of a job. But she didn’t give up. When a job opportunity arrived, she was able to find a way to get her kids to daycare,  and then take a bus to work. Sometimes when Lauri answers a call at Love INC, she hears a story that is very much like her own. “I understand what they are going through,” says Lauri. “I encourage them. I tell them, ‘I had two kids before I was 18. It can be done. You can do this, and we’ll help you.’ Before we hang up, I’ll ask if I can pray with them.” 

Encouragement is an important component of our ministry at Love INC. A few words of encouragement can go a long way, giving clients a glimpse of hope in an otherwise hopeless situation. Ultimately, it is up to the client to take control of their situation. Lauri says that some of the more difficult calls involve people who have never worked, and are not used to helping themselves. Love INC exists to help bring about transformation for those clients, and it begins with encouragement. Lauri explains, “We start by providing words of encouragement, and we will pray with them if they allow us to.” 

Lauri began serving as a volunteer at Love INC after she was unable to return to her career due to a back injury. She hopes to see many more people serve as volunteers at Love INC because there is such a great need for Love INC’s services in DeKalb County. Lauri pointed out that many of the original volunteers who helped start Love INC are no longer physically able to do the heavy lifting and moving of furniture and supplies. There is also an ongoing need for funding. Another important need is for a good, used pickup truck that would be helpful in making smaller furniture pickups and deliveries. “It is very important that when people offer to donate items, that we be able to pick it up promptly because we do need those items,” says Lauri. “Unfortunately, there are times when we just don’t have the volunteers to get out there in time.” 

Volunteering at Love INC can be a rewarding experience with a real impact on the lives of people in DeKalb County. Like Lauri, you might find that encouraging others helps you appreciate what God has done in your own life. “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up.” (1 Thes. 5:11)