“Jesus Loves You” – Lee and Julia’s Story

Lee & Julia Vozel- Bangor, Maine

Julia first encountered City Reach when Pastor Brian and a team of people were evangelizing in a homeless shelter in downtown Pittsburgh. Though she was caught in a destructive lifestyle of drugs and prostitution, she repeatedly turned down their declarations of “Jesus loves you.” But Pastor Brian gave her a card and told her that she could come to the Women’s Hope Home if she wanted to get out. A few weeks later, she called Pastor Brian, crying.  He and his team brought her to the Hope Home. When asked why she was crying, she said “You told me Jesus loved me, but how can He love me?” When she was younger, her father killed himself, her family deteriorated, and she started engaging in destructive behavior. She didn’t understand how Jesus could love her. Pastor Brian told her that Jesus did love her that He died for her and He had a wonderful plan for her life. Julia committed her life to Christ, and went through the women’s Hope Home program. During that time it was evident that God had restored joy into her life. She began to share the new hope she had with others and showed it through her devotion and enthusiasm for serving God. She graduated from the women’s Hope Home, became a leader and eventually the women’s home director.

When Lee first came to the men’s Hope Home, he was addicted to heroin and as a result, landed in the hospital due to the abscesses all over his arms. Although the doctors thought they might have to amputate it, God was healing Lee, and his arm got better. He stayed in the Hope Home for a few months, but he wasn’t really motivated to change. This was clear when one day after taking Lee to visit his mother, Pastor Brian was downstairs in the men’s home and heard a thud from up above. He ran upstairs and there was Lee, on the floor with a needle and an empty bag of heroin next to him, clearly having overdosed. They called the paramedics and began praying.

After trying various methods to revive him, the paramedics said “This man has been dead for 30-40 minutes, but we’ll make one last attempt to save his life.” They took a needle full of Narcan and shoved it into his heart. Lee sat straight up, and the first thing he said was, “Pastor I’m sorry.” Pastor Brian went to see him in the hospital, and told him that he had to get his life right with Jesus because no one is promised a tomorrow. And there in the hospital, Lee gave his life to Christ. He graduated from the Hope Home and began to serve as the men’s home director.

Lee and Julia were serving as the home directors at the same time, and soon they began a dating relationship. Shortly after, they were married. It was a miracle! These two people had lives that were full of destruction, both were “dead” in their sin, and Lee was literally dead, but God changed everything. He gave them hope and a purpose. He brought them together in a healthy, godly relationship.

Their lives have been transformed. But this transformation and hope is not just for their lives.  Lee and Julia had a baby boy named Titus. The change that Lee and Julia experienced will now be passed down in the next generation through their own son. Titus will know a life filled with love and hope, with two parents who serve God and serve others.

When Jesus changes somebody’s life, it’s has a “ripple effect”:  changing not only them, but also many others around them.  Baby Titus is living proof of that.  This is the power of the gospel in action!

And now it’s time for God to change a few more lives, because he is calling Lee, Julia and Titus to move to Bangor, Maine to do His work there.

On November 3^rd Lee and Julia packed up and moved to Bangor, Maine where God was calling them. They are walking beside the Pastor and his wife to help plant a church in the inner City of Bangor. “City Reach Bangor” also operating with the Church is the Christian Recovery Homes such as the “Hope Homes.” Their Church mission is to reach the one who is far from God and help them become a Passionate follower of Christ through the tools they offer. Lee and Julia are currently traveling in the surrounding areas and testifying to God’s Grace to try and raise awareness of this new work they are starting, to gather support for the Men’s and Women’s Hope Homes. The Grand opening of the Men’s Hope Home was November 6^th. A Women’s Hope Home is also in their Vision. God is doing a work in Bangor.  There are already 3 men in the men’s home already receiving the life power of Jesus. One of the men has not been clean since 1992. The church will not be planted until sometime in 2014.

If you could please keep the leaders and this work being done in Maine in your prayers that would be greatly appreciated.  That would be greatly appreciated. If you would like more information or would love to contribute to the work that is going on in Maine feel free to contact Lee or Julia Vozel. Or you can also go to the link CityReachNetwork.com or Visit Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Cityreachbangor/info)for Bangor, Maine. Thank you so much for your support. You are helping them reach the next person in need of a miracle just like they were.

 Note from Julia and Lee:  All it takes is one person to pass this special gift of hope on. I’ll never forget the woman who shared her testimony with me that day in the Shelter and it gave me hope and and changed my life forever. She planted a seed in me! If you have a story which we all do, I want to encourage you to share it.  You never know who needs to hear it. Sometimes it’s not what we do but what we set in motion. Our deepest misery becomes our ministry! May The Lord shine his face upon you!!! God Bless You!

Lee & Julia Vozel   –Bangor, Maine

Contact information for Lee and Julia Vozel:

Julia’s Email:  jcisalive3@yahoo.com 

Lee’s Email: Leevozel@gmail.com  

Healed and Victorious

Fifteen years ago I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.  I often say: it’s not in my head but I also don’t let it get in my head. As one of my sisters once said, “I don’t own it!”  My body was diagnosed with the illness, but illness doesn’t have me. I don’t say “I have fibromyalgia.”- I say “I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia.”  Yes, ‘Was’ is the operative word, because its no longer my present or my future.  And I only speak of the condition for the purpose of sharing my testimony and glorify God.

After many years of pain, fatigue, endless doctor appointments and medications… I received my healing!

Eight years or so ago while at church, I received prayer  and with that prayer, I received Healing from God! I don’t attribute my healing to medicine, but only to God and Him alone! Life has never been the same since that day. Each day I live to the fullest. I don’t limit myself in anyway.

Each year, I set new challenges and new goals. I speak affirmations of His mercy and power in me. In 2013 one of those challenges was Koko Head Crater in Hawaii.  As the date of the challenge approached, I knew it wasn’t the hours of training on the elliptical or the numerous hikes and walks that would prepare me to climb to the top…. But God!

 Koko Head is described as:

“Round Trip Distance: 2100 stairs.  Elevation: 1100 ft above sea level

“Koko Head Crater is one of the three craters on O’ahu along with Diamond Head Crater and Ka’au Crater…”

“Koko Head ranks in the middle of the three craters…”

“Koko Head ranks up with best of them on the island with its 1050 railroad ties stairway.  The stairway of railroad ties is easily visible from the road and reasonably intimidating. The steps are just wide enough to where you can’t stride them out in just one step. After the first half of the stairway there’s a bridge over a little valley, which can be a little bittersweet, the steps on the bridge are smaller but slipping is a possibility. After the bridge, the stairs get a little steeper but the end is near. Once at the top the view of Hawaii Kai and Hanauma Bay are breathtaking not like you have any to spare after the hike. There is a pillbox that allows hikers to stand on top and get a nice 360 degree view of the island. Once ready to head back down you quickly realize how tired your body has become with shaky legs and the loose gravel under your feet. Yes hiking up was tough but the hike down has a challenge of its own.”- Brandon LaCarter, Blogger

 

When the day arrived, I started my walk with God.  Doubt and fear sunk in as the hill got steeper and the sun beamed hotter and hotter on me. Three quarters of the way up at a approximately 925 steps, I sat and wept. I was struggling not only physically but more so emotionally because I knew my body could not do it… But I knew that with God all things are possible. I wanted and desired to prove it to myself by finishing that hike.

I wept and cried out loud but inwardly to myself  for God to hear me.  My heart’s desire was to just do it!! To Glorify Him! For His Mercy and Grace in my life. I wanted to do it as part of my testimony of His healing power! I wanted to do it to show Him I could, because He healed me… To give Him thanks and glorify Him…. Suddenly, I stood with renewed energy and determination, and completed my challenge that day and declared victory!!!

I am Healed and Victorious because HE>i (HE is greater than I). HE>fibromyalgia  (HE is greater than fibromyalgia)   And I > Koko Head because He is in me!  To God be the Glory!

 People tell me “I would never know you have fibromyalgia” And I always respond -“Good!  Because I don’t know it either” – and I share my testimony.   I’m not healed by  medicine but by God. God is good!

God is able! And through Him we are able to do all things! – He can heal your body too!

“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me”  Philipians 4:13

   Carmen Sepulveda- Manchester, Connecticut USA