It is too real…closing thoughts for No More Shacks 2024:
Black plastic covers the open windows void of glass panes. Stuffed into the floor cracks is a thin blanket emplaced with hopes and prayers that it will block the drafts coming through the thin floor slats. Insulation is non-existent and the bare ground peers up through the gaps. Securing the door is a thin slide latch acting as a deterrent but never able to hold out a determined intruder. Across the roof spreads a blue tarp covering the many seams and holes peppered along the surface no longer able to keep out rain.
Yes, this describes the shack. It also describes the conditions of dozens of homes we see every year in Alabama. What is different is that for me, these conditions are temporary. After a few days of inconvenience, I pack up and go home. My home is warm, safe, and dry. When problems arise, I can afford to have it repaired. But, what if one day, I can’t? Who would help me? Would I have enough courage to ask? Would I be too embarrassed? Would shame overwhelm me? Would I lose hope in God and people? Hard questions.
This is why together, we get to help people in these difficult, overwhelming, and shame producing conditions. We all get to come alongside people with the love and compassion of Jesus and give our “cup of cold water” or in this instance a few critical repairs that bring relief and comfort.
We thank you all for the outpouring of love through your donations, notes of encouragement, and coming to visit us at the shack. So far, we have raised over $81,000 towards our goal of $100,000. (You can still give through November 15th.) Now, we go back to work! Eagerly, we are preparing to serve four more families this Saturday through several college student groups and folks from our local community. With the love of Jesus as our motivator and just being humble servants, here we go. We are sent to serve!
Thank you for being a part of helping others by helping us!
Many blessings!
-lisa and ARM team
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