Every Yes Has a Story

A calling I never expected

When I said yes to a small, part-time role at The Crossing in May 2013, I thought I was saying yes to a short season.

I was new to the community and wanted to get to know the people who lived here. I thought working for a Christian nonprofit would be a wonderful way to become part of the community while serving some of the most vulnerable people in it.

I quickly fell in love with The Crossing's mission, approach, and impact.

From the beginning, my organizational and bilingual skills were put to work. There was plenty to learn and more to do. I naturally gravitated toward getting to know people: clients, volunteers, donors, and community members. I found the pace of the work exciting, and I discovered that I loved the challenge of raising the resources needed to make the mission possible.

I also had the privilege of working for a leader who believed in me. She encouraged me to try new ideas, mentored me as I grew, and gave me opportunities to discover abilities I did not know I had.

A year later, I was asked to prayerfully consider becoming her successor.

That was not something I had planned.

I never dreamed of climbing a career ladder, holding a certain title, or becoming a top leader. I simply wanted to use the gifts God had given me to serve others.

But one yes led to another.

In the spring of 2018, I became Executive Director.

Thirteen years after my first yes, I am still here.

And when I look back, I realize that I have received far more than I ever expected to give.

I have had the privilege of knowing women and families from many different backgrounds and walks of life. Over the years, I have watched children grow up, parents earn degrees, receive promotions, start businesses, buy homes, and overcome obstacles that once seemed impossible.

They inspire me.

They remind me that the work we do is about so much more than diapers, baby clothes, or a single appointment. It is about what can happen when one person is given support, encouragement, and the tools to take the next step.

It is about generational change.

One decision can lead to another. One healthier choice can influence a child. One parent can change the direction of a family. And one family can change the story of generations to come.

The Work Behind the Work

One of my favorite parts of leading The Crossing is seeing how many different pieces come together to serve a family.

Much of what makes The Crossing possible is never seen.

Like an iceberg, what people see when they walk through our doors is only a small part of the work. Behind every program are countless hours of planning, administration, fundraising, relationship-building, training, prayer, problem-solving, and hard work.

There are people working behind the scenes so that a client can receive care when she walks through the door.

And I love that.

I love seeing all those pieces become one cohesive effort to serve families well.

But I also love the other side of my work: telling the story of what happens because all those pieces come together.

I love digging into the numbers and finding the stories behind them.

Because I have come to believe that every number has a name, every name has a story, and every story matters to God.

And the heroes of those stories are not The Crossing.

They are the moms and dads doing the hard work of parenting every day.

They are the parents who keep showing up, even when life is difficult. They are the ones learning new skills, making healthier choices, overcoming obstacles, and choosing to believe they can build something better for their children.

It is an honor to cheer them on, point out their strengths, and watch them begin to see those strengths in themselves.

Through the Highs and Lows

There have been wonderful seasons at The Crossing, and there have been hard ones.

There have been days when the obstacles felt overwhelming and discouragement began to settle in.

During those times, I have learned to look back.

I remember the stories of change I have witnessed. I remember God's faithfulness. I think about the donors who give sacrificially because they believe in this mission. I see the people who ring our donation door to give their children's gently used clothing. I think about the churches and community groups who gather diapers and other essentials so parents can provide for their families with dignity.

I remember that we are part of something much bigger than any one difficult day.

Even during my own cancer journey, I questioned whether I would be able to continue leading The Crossing through a season of such uncertainty and brokenness.

What I discovered was that this work gave me a reason to keep moving forward.

It gave me purpose.

It gave me people to think about beyond my own circumstances.

And it reminded me that the work God has given us to do is worth showing up for.

Looking Back at That First Yes

Thirteen years ago, I thought I was saying yes to a small job.

I did not know I was saying yes to a calling.

I did not know how many friendships would come from it. I did not know how much I would learn, how much I would be stretched, or how many families I would have the privilege of knowing.

I did not know that The Crossing would become such an important part of my own story.

God has blessed The Crossing in ways I could never have imagined. But He has blessed me through The Crossing, too.

He has taught me to trust Him with the big things. He has taught me to ask for help and to value the wisdom and experience of others. He has given me friendships that I know will last a lifetime. And He has given me a sense of purpose and belonging that I could never have planned for myself.

When I look at what The Crossing has become, I know it is not because of one person.

It is because of a team of people who work hard behind the scenes. It is because of volunteers who give their time. Donors who give generously. Churches and community partners who say yes. Board members who serve. And parents who walk through our doors willing to take another step toward a better future.

My yes was only one yes among many.

And perhaps that is the beauty of it.

We rarely know what God can do with a simple yes.

I am so grateful I said mine.

Written by Belinda Esquinas, The Crossing of Manitowoc County, Inc

Belinda Esquinas, Executive Director