"God makes the difference at Harvest Home” for Jane and her daughter Brieanne.

Battered and abused, Jane came to Harvest Home just over five months ago with her daughter Brieanne. She had suffered abuse twice at the hands of people she trusted and loved.

For nine years Jane was married to a violent and abusive man. With help she was able to leave him and was granted a divorce.

Jane and Brieanne made a new life together. She was working as a Nursing Assistant, they had secure housing, and life seemed good. Jane received Christ as her Savior and found a local church to attend. For three years Jane worked hard to rebuild a better life for Brieanne and herself.

Then she met another man and fell in love. Jane thought he loved her and he loved her daughter, but found out after a few months all he loved was the control he had over her life. Abuse began again and Jane wondered how it could be happening to her a second time. “Threats against my life, fear and my pride kept me from leaving,” Jane explains. “I prayed to God and did not lose my faith.”

Friends told Jane about Haven of Rest and a special place there for women and children in crisis situations called Harvest Home. Both Jane and Brieanne have found strength and peace through the Bible studies and devotional times with the staff at Harvest Home.

During their stay at Harvest Home, Brieanne was able to attend Haven of Rest’s Hope Basketball Camp. She enjoyed the games they used to build skills in basketball and made new friends at camp. Now she has a trophy, basketball, shirt and new Testament Bible to add to her collection of memories while staying at Harvest Home.

“God makes the difference at Harvest Home! You know that when the staff prays for you, loves you and reads the Bible with you.” Jane continues as her eyes fill with tears, “Forgiveness is always there, and God’s love is always there. Now I know that deep in my heart. No one can ever take that from me again.”

Yvette McMillan, director of the women’s division at Haven of Rest, has asked Jane to stay at Harvest Home awhile longer to participate in the new Discipleship program. Jane will be learning how to minister to women and children while they stay at Harvest Home with the same love and compassion she and Brieanne received when they arrived. Her life is full of hope for a better future.  

Open House Invitation from Haven of Rest

Haven of Rest cordially invites you to attend its annual “Open House” on Thursday, November 20, from 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. You will have an opportunity to see how your support is helping make life better for hundreds of needy and homeless people. This is a great opportunity to bring your Sunday school class, family, groups, and friends to the ministry.

Members of our staff will be on hand to take you on a tour of the facilities and to explain the programs and services we provide daily. There will be refreshments and you will have an opportunity to talk with program graduates and others who have come for the Open House.

The Open House will begin at the Haven of Rest’s mission building, 175 E. Market Street, downtown Akron. Ample, safe parking is available in our lots east and west of the main building.

The traveling “Love Kitchen”

Brother’s Jason and Scott Zieman (pictured with Rev. Ben Walker, Executive Director of Haven of Rest Ministries) have a Little Caesars franchise in Tallmadge and are opening up another one in Cuyahoga Falls. They contacted Little Caesar’s corporate headquarters to request the Love Kitchen come to Akron because they wanted to help Haven of Rest feed the poor.

Little Caesar’s Love Kitchen travels all over the country to help various shelters that feed the hungry. Jason and Scott donated all the ingredients and three men from their corporate office came and assembled and baked the pizzas inside the Love Kitchen.

Hundreds of people enjoyed the delicious meal of pizza, soup, salad, punch and a brownie. The festive atmosphere included Italian background music in the mission’s dining room.

Jason, Scott and the corporate crew were thrilled to be able to give back to the community and help the many hungry men, women, and children who come to Haven of Rest.

Thank you Little Caesars for “Making A Difference.”