Day 5 Oct. 11 (drafted Oct.12)
Total: $70,438
Imagine being a foster parent and your child was highly autistic. Imagine a little mind that was locked up in his own brain. Damaging behaviors like running into walls or bending his fingers back to the point of breaking were a common theme. This is a narrative of one of our homeowners with whom we are serving. She loves this little boy and treats him as her own but every minute he is awake challengers her. We are amazed at her patience.
Now imagine you and your foster child with autism live in a tornado zone? Imagine the struggle you would have to load up to get to a tornado shelter and ride out the threat of a storm. When minutes count, you are having a hard time just getting your child to put his shoes on his feet.
This is a challenge Ms. Mary shared with us. The good news is after the tornado, volunteers repaired the back of a roof and then put on a new metal roof to secure the whole system. Yet, we are still working to get a tornado shelter for her and her foster child so they can have the greatest sense of safety. You see, Ms. Mary lives in a mobile home, and staying there during potential tornadoes puts her and her children at risk.
To see her home from the road, it looks fairly nice. It is well maintained. Now, there is a new roof. What you don’t see is a broken pipe on her septic system. What you don’t see is the need for a tornado shelter. In James’ letter, he tells the church that our audio must match our video. He says it like this, “faith without works is dead”. If we only live by high ideals and platitudes of faith but do nothing tangible and practical for the needs in front of us, if we do not respond practically to who is in front of us, then our faith is just words and it is dead. Knowing this is Jesus’ brother, it seems to echo when Jesus called the Pharisees white-washed tombs. They looked really good on the outside but were stinky and dead on the inside.
My challenge today is to open our eyes and see. If you see a need respond. If you know there are hurting people, let’s do something. Let’s start today making sure our faith is alive and active, not just words and platitudes.
I was blessed with wonderful visitors and thank you for the prayers! Shoutouts go to Anthony Cook, Emily, Ms. Guin, the Haynes family, Mr. Williams, Mr. Ryland, Dr. Rodgers, Major Lackey, and the ARM@AU student group! Finally-thank you Aubie!
Overall, a great day in the shack! Thanks for all the meals, prayers, and visits! You can help us keep up the fundraising by sharing this story and encouraging people to give! Thanks so much and until tomorrow.
Extend love, build more,
Lisa
www.arm-al.org/give www.arm-al.org/shack
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