Barbara Lescher was born in 1953 and grew up in
Bellevue Washington. She was raised with five siblings by her
father. She was nine years old when her mother died.
Throughout her high school years she worked as a hospital
volunteer in an emergency room where she recognized that
the smallest act of kindness could make a difference.
After
graduating from High School she went to school in Seattle for
medical assisting. She moved to Portland where she received
training in restorative therapy. She worked in the health care
field for many years in both Portland and in Denver.
In 1980, at the age of 27 she had a spiritual awakening. During a conversation with two friends she
asked the question, “What exactly is a Christian?” One friend replied, “It is living under Grace instead of living under the Law.” The other said, “It is having a personal relationship with Jesus
Christ.” Barb felt compelled to go to the cross. She recognized at that moment that she was one
of the “all men” Jesus had died for. Her life changed from that point on.
Something clicked when Barb volunteered to help with the youth group at her church. She was
effective. When she met Sr. Maria Francis, who asked her to begin a youth group for homeless
kids, Barb was ready to sign on. Little did she realize that it was God that had planted the idea of a
youth group in Maria’s heart and that God would use that season to prepare Barb to begin 30
years of her life’s work and passion… coming alongside Portland’s homeless.
Sr Maria started a drop-in shelter called Our Peaceful Place in downtown Portland for the homeless population in the area where anyone could stop by for a warm place to rest, get fed and feel
welcome. When Sr. Maria passed away in a car accident in 2003, her friends banded together to
keep the shelter going. It was at this time that Barb felt God calling her to carry on the work of
Our Peaceful Place and made herself available to serve as the Director.
In 2006, the lease for the building expired and Our Peaceful Place did not have a space to continue
its work. Not to be deterred, Barb took to the streets just as Sr. Maria did many years ago, to
serve the poor wherever they could be found in downtown Portland. She handed out items of
basic needs—such as over the counter medications, small items of clothing such as hats and socks,
sandwiches and much more. She also frequently counseled people on other social service organizations where help could be had or when funds permitted, helped individuals with pressing needs
directly. She would answer calls at all hours of the day or night for people in dire need of some
assistance.
She worked tirelessly, often alone, in rain or shine. Portland was fortunate to be blessed with a
person of such compassion and calling to lend help to the downtrodden. Even on the last day of
her life, she had just made turkey sandwiches to take downtown. She will be missed by all who
knew her but we take heart in knowing that she was welcomed into her Lord and Savior’s arms
having served her Master faithfully to the end.
Barb is survived by her daughter Anna, son-in-law Nate and a grandchild.
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