Even though today did not turn out to be what I expected, it was so much better than I could have hoped for.
Today the temperature is in the negatives. Add seven inches of snow to that and you get a week in which I did not spend much time at my service site due to unsafe road conditions. Winter in the inner city has been different than winters spent in the suburbs of Jeffersontown. In the city, not every street gets treated or plowed which makes it super difficult to get to work during weeks like this past one. The house I live in is older and very drafty. We’ve had our water in the bathroom freeze several times already and I have learned a great deal on how to winterize our home. Street parking has resulted in having to literally dig my car out of the snow or not go anywhere at all. Digging out my car in the city as cars speed past me has proven to be quite the adventure.
[pullquote type=”left”]I must admit, when I got up this morning I wanted nothing more than to not to have to go out into the miserable cold.[/pullquote]I must admit, when I got up this morning I wanted nothing more than to not to have to go out into the miserable cold. I serve at Necole’s Place caring for small children whose mothers have all recently experienced a crisis pregnancy. NP’s usual snow policy is to close whenever the public schools close as well. All week I had received e-mails from the Executive Director stating that the organization was closed, but not this morning. I waited and waited for that e-mail to come in but it never did. [pullquote type=”right”]She had just moved into a new apartment only three blocks from my own and she needed help.[/pullquote]Finally, I gave it up to the Lord. I gave up my frustration. I gave up my desire to stay warm and comfortable. So I went to work. It went pretty much as I had expected. Only two clients showed up for the day and they didn’t bring their sweet babies. But just as I thought this day was going to be mundane, a staff member received a phone call from a client named CC who was experiencing an emergency. It turns out CC had just moved into a new apartment only three blocks from my own and she needed help. [pullquote type=”left”]Honestly, I was shocked.[/pullquote]I rang the doorbell and was greeted by one of the staff members of NP. I walked through the door into a cramped entryway where a few short end tables, a washer, dryer, and two ride-on toys left the space feeling claustrophobic. A steep staircase invited me up to the actual apartment. As I neared the hallway landing I could hear the voices of two small children and the sweet African accent of CC in the next room. A few steps farther in and I saw an unexpectedly bare living room. She and her children had been living in the apartment for about a week and yet the only furnishings I could see were a few dining room chairs, some mattresses on the floor and two end tables pushed together to make a dinner table for the kids. Three garbage bags sat open around the room – each serving as a chest of drawers full of clothing.Honestly, I was shocked.
[pullquote type=”right”]This is what happens when you don’t have any supportive community in your life and you leave your abusive husband.[/pullquote]Then, I realized something: this is what happens when you don’t have any supportive community in your life and you leave your abusive husband. You are left with almost nothing. You have to start from scratch.Originally, we went to bring her bottles of water and to check on her after learning that the heat in the apartment went out. All of her pipes had frozen leaving her without water. We ended up staying to babysit her two kids while she ran some important errands so that they wouldn’t have to go out in the below zero cold too.
This is not the day I had anticipated. It was much better.
[pullquote type=”left”]This is not the day I had anticipated. It was much better. [/pullquote]See, for the past several weeks I have had a desire to connect with CC and befriend her but our schedules never allowed. My heart wanted it but work hours and responsibilities kept us apart. Today, the Lord let me spend time with her sweet children and finally share some conversation with her. I hope to continue to grow this friendship, especially since I now know she lives in my new neighborhood and she’s going to begin attending my church. Friends, it fills my heart with such joy to see this woman flourish under the providence of our Lord through his servants who work at NP.I am so thankful for the opportunity to work with the men and women at NP. Witnessing the love they give to CC shows me that they care about the women they serve. My coworkers aren’t just about numbers or even just about getting women to pass their G.E.D test. They genuinely care about the women who step foot into our facility to find help. They long to see the ladies to find Christ and to also be able to succeed in this life. It is a beautiful privilege to see the hands and feet of Christ at work. I’m thankful that I get to be a part of this ministry. It would not be possible without your love, support and encouragement. Thank you for your many donations and prayers!
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