The beginning of a Trailer Court Ministry

between Harbor Covenant Church and Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF)

It all began at the funeral of my good friend and former boss Joe, who never could quite believe that Jesus was the key to eternal life. How my heart ached for the assurance that was not there that Joe was in Christ's presence forevermore.

So it was with that heartache that I drove out to the Lakewood Trailer Park to pick up my friend Lily for dinner. I had tried to reach out to her in times of need for 15 yrs. There she stood passing out colored chalk to the hordes of trailer court children who eagerly accepted her treasures from the nearby trash cans. Lily had shared with me the plight of these children who had been severely abused and neglected by parents whose lives had been captivated by alcohol, drugs and prostitution. All I could think about was how much these children needed to know Jesus.

Once Lily was in the car and we were on our way to dinner, I approached her with the idea of starting a Vacation Bible School right there in the midst of the trailer court. She quickly bowed out of that one saying "All those kids do is harass my dogs and smash my flowers," so I quietly put that idea to rest. On my way home that evening, I told God that if this burden for these children really was from Him, He was going to have to work it out because I didn't have any other connections and I didn't know where to begin.

About a week later, I was driving with a friend's teenage daughter who told me that she would be working with C.E.F. for the summer. When informed that C.E.F. is looking for neighborhoods with lots of children who probably do not attend church where they can have a 5 day Bible Club, I said, "Elisabeth, why can't we do this with the trailer court kids?" She checked with her supervisor who was more than willing to do this. Elisabeth and I cleared it with the trailer court manager. Several of the children introduced us to many more of the children and our 5 day Bible Club was begun in the summer of 1999 on the narrow strip of grass outside the laundry room in the middle of the trailer court.

Following the 5 day Bible Club was the opportunity for these children to attend the C.E.F. summer camp. My “Tuesdays Together” Bible Study at Harbor Covenant Church provided most of the money that first summer. Now the greater body of Harbor Covenant faithfully provides this opportunity each summer for these children to attend camp. We continue to work in conjunction with C.E.F. during the year on a monthly basis with these children and their families. The Lakewood Baptist Church graciously allows us to meet in their building each month. Faithful volunteers drive across the bridge each month to provide the children with transportation.

This ministry has reached beyond the walls of this trailer court as many of the families move on either by choice or by eviction. My heart no longer aches, but rejoices in the fact that these children who had never heard the good news now know who Jesus is and have light in the darkness of their world.

"He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete
 it until the day of Jesus Christ."  - Philippians 1:6

Rejoicing in the privilege of serving our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

    Ginny Porterfield