Sleep In Heavenly Peace

Tommy Underwood realized “a week of sleeping on a cot, eating substandard food while working his fingers to the bone began to physically catch up with his aging body.” He sadly announced he was done with ASP.  Three days later he listened to a podcast about a nonprofit organization, Sleep In Heavenly Peace, that provides beds for children and adolescents.      

“It was as if someone tapped me on the shoulder and whispered, ‘Ok bud, I have been waiting for you to shut that ASP door, so I could kick this one wide open for you. This is your next project.’ It was not an audible voice, but never have I heard a message more clearly. God has a sense of humor. I’d stopped serving in a ministry where I complained about  sleeping on an inadequate bed so He called me to build adequate beds for others.”

The closest chapter was 100 miles away so God wanted Tommy to serve as president of a new chapter. That meant raising thousands of dollars, finding volunteers, setting up the building process, managing budgets and inventory. “I’ve never started a ministry before. I began asking people if they would consider getting involved. God sent enthusiastic people.”  They organized a team, donations began coming in, someone is considering donating the use of a building and another is donating large power tools. Psalm 90: 17, “May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.”  

“There are around 2,000 kids just in New Hanover and Brunswick Counties without beds. In a month from now, some of them will be sleeping in their own bed!  More will be off the floor a year from now!” These families will know that someone who loves Jesus, loves them. Proverbs 16: 3, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”  God’s got this!  Tommy and team, carry out the seeds and return with songs of joy!  

Jill Jarrell-Newsome