The Mission Continues:
What is sleeping in the shack like and what happens when I go home? More than ever home felt like refreshment and a place of comfort and true safety.
- A real shower. The shack is so small, there is not any running water, no bathroom or shower. That may raise questions of how I took care of personal hygiene. The Auburn Wesley Foundation again allowed me and guests a space for bathroom breaks but this meant a considerable walk throughout the day. I don’t sleep through the night and get up one or two times a night. This means walking through the dark, sometimes the cold to get into the building. Almost like having to go to an outhouse in the days when we did not have indoor plumbing (fortunately mine flushes J). Since there was not a shower, I washed my hair in a big sink and had other non-water means of personal hygiene. That was probably the largest inconvenience and hardship.
- A comfortable, quiet environment for sleeping. I became used to using ear plugs since I sleep so lightly. I found I can still hear quite well even with ear plugs J. But, the loud music and traffic and not having glass in my windows means the sound is the equivalent of sleeping outside. Going home to my bed and an air conditioned environment and quiet made sleep much more restful. I did not realize how tired I was until I went to sleep. It was great to have that rest.
Many people who are low income sleep on old mattresses that no longer support them. Getting rest is also very difficult for them for many of the same reasons I mentioned above such as broken or old windows and not a central heating/air system.
3. Smoke: Because of the coolness of the mornings and the evenings, a fire each time is a game changer. However, that means constant irritation in my eyes and nose and all my clothes and bedding smelling smoky. It took several loads to get everything washed and cleaned. Many families still use wood stoves as a means of heat and will have similar experiences. We also know many that will begin using space heaters because they do not have a functioning heating and air system (HVAC). Space heaters have two issues, they drain a significant amount of power driving up electric costs. Many are responsible for deadly fires each year and can be unsafe.
Those are the types of hardships living in my “shack” entails. It can be exhausting. Then I add one more factor. Because we are raising funds to help others, there was an anxiousness each night thinking about funding. This same anxious feeling is also felt by our families and the households. Living on a fixed income means challenges in paying for needed repairs or high utility bills, it can lead to significant levels of anxiety which exasperates other health conditions including heart disease, diabetes, and more. Smoke and air quality affect asthma. The cost of poverty on a person goes beyond a fixed income affecting so much more.
As I close, the mission continues. The shack and our emphasis on “safer at home starts with a safe home” gives us a week to highlight and share the struggles of the poor and how it affects their homes. Now it means continuing to repair homes and solve the more complex problems around housing. It means, even in the Covid-19 environment, continuing to cultivate and host mission teams and individuals to serve and reach out.
We live on the words of Jesus who gave his manifesto that he is called to preach to the poor and proclaim release to the captives (Luke 4). We recall John’s words that we are called to more than words and speech but truth and action. (1 John 3:17-18). With this, we now take your funds and continue serving. These funds will be used to create sustainable homes and make them warm, safe, dry and beautiful. They are used to strengthen families by providing soft skills in financial literacy, home maintenance and teaching children. We are grateful for the partnerships and so much more.
Thank you for everything you do!
We are still working towards our goal of $145,000. There are three ways you can give:
Online: www.arm-al.org/give
Text “give” to 334-459-9366
Mail a gift to P.O. Box 2890 Auburn, AL. 36831
If you would like to make a pledge: Email lisa@arm-al.org
Blessings and thank you!
lisa
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