BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – -Nestled in downtown Bluefield is Open Heart Ministries café. Running the kitchen and serving her community, is Paula Newbill- Mlynczak, who has been feeding and housing the homeless population of Bluefield for over a decade.
“We’ve been doing this, only by the grace of god, for 15 years,” said Newbill- Mlynczak.
Newbill- Mlynczak was nominated by two of her peers, who call her giving and kind, and highlight her passion for helping unhoused individuals in the area.
“I want people to see the light in me that Jesus Christ, you know, the same light that is in him, i want them to see the light in me, and apparently somebody saw that so I’m really blessed, I’m really blessed. I don’t know what else to say but I’m just blessed that somebody else saw that,” Newbill- Mlynczak
She tells us that this work is what she has been called to do.
“This is what my purpose is, you know, you’ve got to find out what your purpose is through Jesus Christ, and you know, he has given me the strength. Sometimes you get a little weary, but you always go to Galatians 6:9.” said Newbill- Mlynczak.
And Galatians 6:9 says this: “let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
When it comes to the effort put forth by Open Heart Ministries, she says that while the work can be difficult, it is worth it for the greater purpose it serves.
“I’m overwhelmed sometimes, cause we see so many people, but I’m also blessed to be able to do and to have him, which is my lord and savior, to just lead me and guide me so I’m, you know, I’m just blessed to be obedient to what he tells me to do and try to, you know, be a hundred percent who he wants me to be,” said Newbill- Mlynczak.
With a café, consignment store, three houses and a resource center, she tells us they are welcome to those who wish to help.
“I always tell people that we hustle for the lord. We work for the lord, so we’re out in the community doing fundraisers. We would love to have volunteers to help us, right now we’re looking for some grant writers, but I’m not worried because i trust in the lord and he’s guided us for 15 years, so i think he’ll take care of it,” said Newbill- Mlynczak.
Paula Newbill- Mlynczak’s passion, unyielding faith, and drive to help her community are what make her a WVVA Hometown Hero.
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