PINE BLUFF, Ark. — A Pine Bluff family's life changed forever on Saturday.
This moment was born two years ago though, when Pastor Matt Mosler with New Life Church saw potential that others hadn't.
Mosler's non-profit, Home Again Pine Bluff, rebuilds abandoned houses with a mission to help families transition from poverty to self-sufficiency.
Now, less than a year later, the dream of a better life came true for one Pine Bluff family as soon as they opened the door to their brand new home.
Jawon Bradley said seeing his family's home on Saturday morning left him with a loss for words.
"Honestly, it's a dream come true," he said.
A dream that Jawon and his wife, Julia, said is an answered prayer.
"Just like, 'Wow, God. Wow, we're here.' I could've never imagined being 24 years old, moving into a house," he said.
The house on East 8th Avenue was torn up and forgotten. Mosler said it is now bright and loved.
"This family right here is the prototype. It's the prototype of what we are trying to build here in Pine Bluff," he said.
Mosler said installing new floors and windows is what lays the foundation for Home Again Pine Bluff.
"We want to rebuild community. We want to rebuild families," he said.
Rebuilding families just like the Bradley's, with three young kids.
Jawon said when his family walked into New Life Church on the second Sunday it was opened, they knew instantly that was where they belonged.
"It felt like restoration when we walked through the doors and we knew it was our home that day," he said.
That home that Julia said brought them Pastor Matt, and months later, brought them four walls to call their own.
"We are just grateful that we have been chosen to capitalize what God has done through Pastor Matt, and so we just thank him and honor him and Mrs. Camille for their vision," she said.
Jawon said they were struggling to get by, but now they have their own happy vision of the future.
"We are going to see kids walk through these streets; kids walk through these apartments. It's going to be amazing to see what God does through us being here," he said.
Thanks to hard work and a giving community, the Bradley's now have a place to raise their family.
Jawon said he hopes their story of redemption inspires others.
"Maybe your dream is to be in the house, maybe your dream is to write a book, whatever it is. I just want to encourage that message that dreams do come true," he said.
Mosler said this is just the first of many. The next house they will rebuild is right next door to the Bradley's and the tear down will start on March 7.
He said their goal is do at least three more houses on 8th Avenue this year.
