by Moira Heiges
The moment I saw Ms. M purposefully marching up the stairs to the Open Hands legal aid desk
at Father’s Heart, I knew I was in for an extraordinary encounter. There was nothing “typical”
about Ms. M. While small in stature, her personality was larger than life. She had legal papers
in hand. She knew what she wanted, and it wasn’t just orange juice and toast. Ms. M had come
to Open Hands to get assistance with her application for a Certificate of Relief from Disabilities
(CRD) – a document that prevents employers from discriminating against that person based on
their criminal record.

In a thick New York accent, Ms. M gave us the outlines of her story in broad strokes. She had
served her time for a felony drug conviction. But after finding Jesus (in jail of all places) and 10
years of good behavior, she was ready for a fresh start.

As I assisted Ms. M in applying for a CRD, she shared her collected wisdom with the
confidence, joy and ease that come with having overcome hard times. She talked about her past,
but focused on her future. She was almost 60, helping to raise her grandson, involved at her
church, working, but looking for a better job. God told her “don’t settle!” and why should she?
I loved listening to Ms. M because she was so excited, not just about life, but specifically about
her life. I’ve met high school kids who weren’t half as enthusiastic about their dreams and days
ahead.

I try to come to Open Hands full, confident, and ready to give because the clients often come
empty, in a moment of crisis or great need. But after walking Ms. M through her paperwork and
praying over her family and future, I realized how much she had encouraged and inspired me.
As we hugged and parted ways, I cherished the gift I received that morning while volunteering
with Open Hands.

by Ryan Goepfert
My first experience volunteering with Open Hands was significant because not only was it my
30th birthday, but more importantly, I met Wolf. As part of the prayer team, I asked a Father’s
Heart guest if he needed prayer. He paused his meal, pointed to his ears and shook his head side
to side, communicating that he could not hear me. I froze realizing that I had just asked a deaf
man if he needed prayer.

My mind started racing…How do you pray for a deaf man? I knelt down to Wolf’s eye level,
folded my hands and pointed at him. Wolf shook his head yes. I placed my hand on his shoulder
and prayed out loud, hoping that he could feel the vibration of my voice and somehow be
comforted by my prayers. The desperation I felt for God to intervene and communicate to Wolf
in his silence created so much tension in me that I didn’t want to stop praying.

When I finally finished, I remembered that Diana, a fellow volunteer, was able to translate
sign language. I asked if she could help me pray with Wolf. As soon as Diana began to sign,
Wolf’s expression and posture changed. Wolf was eager to tell his story; he shared with us his
frustration and pain in growing up deaf, being abandoned by his family and struggling with drugs
and the loneliness of life on the streets of New York City. He felt that God was mad at him, and
then signed to us that sometimes he just wanted to die. Diana raised her hands then too, and
began to sign to Wolf the truth of God’s love, powerfully gesturing that Jesus died so we could
live, and that God promised to never leave us or forsake us. With everyone’s eyes open, Diana
began to sign and speak out her prayers for Wolf. His eyes filled with tears, and as she finished
we realized that most of the dining hall had cleared out.

Through meeting Wolf, I experienced the beauty of communication through sign language, and
was reminded that God is so much bigger than words. I left that day receiving more for my
birthday than I ever could have asked for.Prayin

By Diana Gonzalez

“W-o-l-f…yes, W-W-o-l-l-f is my name,” the man signed. “People always ask,” he continued animatedly, “Wolf is your REAL name? I answer Y-e-s-!” He signed purposefully, “Wolf, like the animal. Funny but that is my name,” and he shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly.

Ryan, an Open Hands volunteer, had approached Wolf at the Father's Heart Ministry to pray for him. Wolf raised his hand to the air, and touched his ear while shaking his head, expressing that that he was deaf.

When Ryan asked for my assistance in praying with Wolf, I noted how difficult it was for people who are deaf and who come from poor families. They are intelligent, teachable and able to hold a job, but often they do not have the right opportunities or support to enable them find and keep employment. They need encouragement to overcome frustration at school, and they need familial support, which often is not present in families lacking the financial means to support them.

Wolf was young, in his thirties, and was unemployed. Disadvantaged in so many ways, Wolf had not received the help required to have a better life. Although his eyes danced with intelligence, he also was clearly frustrated.

Wolf shared with us his struggle to live: “I always streets. No place to rest” he signed. “Here or there...I wear clothes I find in church bins.” Ryan asked him if we could pray for him. Ryan prayed while I signed. Wolf's eyes were fixed on my face. We told him that God loved and cared for him.  Wolf said after we prayed, “I pray a lot and God does not pay attention me. I don't want to live.” I signed back that God loved him and that his life made God happy. Wolf's eyes welled with tears.

Another volunteer initiated another prayer for Wolf, for God to bless and protect Wolf and to provide for him. Wolf seemed touched by our affection and sincere care. He thanked us and animatedly signed that he would be back at Father's Heart to see us again!

Over 25 volunteers attended a volunteer appreciate lunch at Spina after the September 2011
Father’s Heart Legal Aid Desk. This wonderful fellowship time was sponsored by Hope for
New York (HFNY), which provides volunteer and financial resources to organizations serving
the poor and marginalized in New York City. Open Hands is one of HFNY’s affiliates.

In addition to fellowship, the volunteers met OHLS’ new Executive Director, C.J. Masimore,
and shared their experiences and ideas with her. HFNY Team Leader Mark Chang facilitated a
brainstorming session in which volunteers shared their on-the-ground perspective on how to best
serve Open Hands’ clients and volunteers. The attendees overwhelmingly expressed satisfaction
with Open Hands’ development over the past two years and communicated their eagerness and
desire to be equipped and used to serve more ways. If you have suggestions about how Open
Hands can improve its volunteer experience, please contact HFNY Team leaders Emily Lee
at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Mark Chang at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . For more information about HFNY, see
www.hfny.org