Beginning of day 4
Time flies! We have had a great journey so far. The weather has been beautiful. I still find myself curled in a ball when I awake with the morning chill-but it is not unbearable and not worth of even the remotest complaint. Some things I am noticing that I felt I would share.
What is making this year different than other is the number of people involved. Every day there are 4 hour shifts for people to come and be with us. We have a 9am-1pm, 1pm-5pm, 5pm-9pm and then an option to stay overnight. This means I am constantly surrounded by people who are working to support Christ’s mission and ministry of reaching out and serving with our low income brothers and sisters. Think about this:
1) Because many people are involved, I do not feel I am in this alone. Many people are coming together to help. Jesus sent his disciples out two by two and it was his work with the 12 and 70 that meant so much. Many of our families we serve live in extremely remote areas and devoid of community many times. It takes us seeking them out and even if we can only visit with one or two families, making an investment.
Ms. Maddox who we are serving with lives in Camp Hill on a road surrounded by trees, pasture, but not many houses. She loves going to Gospel choirs and various churches. Although she has some family around, she lives by herself. She if pretty mobile right now but I know in the future, having some people go visit, chat, and check in will be very important for her.
2) The food is great! Once again, surrounded by so many loving people, so many reach out to ask me if I need anything keeping a fresh supply of coffee and food coming my way. It is almost too much. When we are surrounded by people of faith, there is an abundance. I am being fed both physically and with community! I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of love!
But think about this: I am glad it is not raining and super cold (or hot) because our little structures only provide a protective shell from the elements. They do not do well in rain and will leak and the wood will swell and crumble if we do not protect it. This is most certainly what our families face. Their homes were built by hand many times and were not insulated. Mobile homes are poorly insulated and when the wood gets wet it too swells and crumbles leaving dangerous holes and weak spots around windows and doors. This is what our friends the Turks have experienced. The carpet was the only thing keeping them from seeing the ground.
3) Security. Our structures are not built well enough to keep out the sound of heavy traffic on the streets. Light comes in from the cracks and we realize our vulnerability. In our safety conscience society, we spend gross amounts of money to protect ourselves and our families. And yet, with our families, they need new doors with locks. I knew of an 80 year old lady that shot a hole through her wall trying to scare off people trying to steal the AC unit out of her window..it sounds funny on one hand but then it angers and saddens me on another and I am reminded that lack of safety and security is a real fear for these elderly families living alone.
So, as you go about your day. Maybe share this with someone. We are raising $50,000 towards material costs of these homes: lumber, shingles, drywall and more. The need is great and for most of us unseen. Please continue to pray, find ways to serve and if led, would you consider a gift or encourage someone else!
Thanks! Going back to the shacks 🙂 Until next time- Our total is a little over $10,000 so 1/5 of the way to our goal!
Comments are closed