On Tuesday this week I noticed the lady behind me in the Waterbury grocery store and felt led to hand her an Acts 4 card . I asked if she knew about us and she said had come once in November to stand in line for clothes at our Winter Giveaway. However, she confirmed that she was in need of Spring/Summer clothes for her 4 boys. I invited her to come but she had no transportation and a 18 month old son in tow. So, I said I’d pick her up if she didn’t mind staying to volunteer with me. She(Julia) seemed overjoyed by this prospect and in her broken English was thanking me.
On Wednesday I brought her & little Dennis to Acts 4 and she cheerfully helped and also searched for clothing, taking very little. Volunteers Judi and Irene were working in the house wares room and as we got to know Julia we discovered that she had many needs. They were using their coats as Pillows, had only a frying pan no pot for soup, no utensils ,no curtains and only 3 kitchen chairs for the 5 of them. It was only because we probed that we learned this as she wasn’t asking at all. So, we loaded up my van and I brought her home only to discover how stark the apartment was. One room had a queen bed where she and 2 boys sleep, the other room had 2 twin mattresses side by side on the floor for the other 2 boys, with a very thin shared blanket, no dresser, just a rope strung between the walls to hang clothes, no toys or books anywhere, no bicycles, etc.
She explained that her husband was abusive and she finally left him, but with only a 6th grade education and 4 children it is difficult to work although she would like to go back to school and get a job. For now, she is on Cash Assistance of $600 a month but her rent is $700. Do the math! But she is very happy, polite, and not complaining. She does know the Lord. I told her I was going to pray for bunk beds to get the boys off the floor and save space in the small room. Knowing that we get them very infrequently, I assumed it may take awhile but I began to pray.
Today I went to Acts 4 and we got a call first thing from someone in Naugatuck who had, you guessed it, bunk beds with a matching dresser, but without the mattresses. Perfect! And, they wanted to deliver them to us. We let out a few hallelujah screams and praised God! Then around 11 am volunteers Todd and Jim in the Acts 4 truck followed me to the apartment where we were greeted with hugs and help unloading from the 3 older boys, who were exuberant. I gave them a loaf of bread and the boys ravenously ate claiming that was breakfast.
What a satisfying feeling to be part of helping this family and what an amazing God we serve. I imagine this giant switchboard where he is causing the intersection of all these circumstances, working out the timing. How else could it happen so efficiently? Sometimes we truly underestimate what He can do. James 4:2b: “you do not have, because you do not ask God”(NIV)
By the way, when I first told her I was going to pray for bunkbeds she did disclose that she and the boys were praying for bicycles! Call us if God can use you to meet this need.
Hi Guys, I like to send out these stories that Acts for 4 sends to me.. They are a great group of people who love our Lord and do his works.. There are sooo many miracles that they witness in their work.. I think its refreshing to hear stories that God DOES answer prayers especially in this time in history when everything seems soo hopeless and empty ..Its also great to remind ourselves of our own many blessings that we have.. This story humbled me some and made me count my blessings..
hey sanny....
low and behold i have two bicycles....a ten speed and a kids bike... they are in the basement...come and get them for the family if you'd like....do they need bedspreads and blankets??? got them too...all in excellent condition....I need to help someone else...everyone has been helping joey and i,,,,, hope i can help!! Love you as always and HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just wanted to share this and let you know I have received several responses from people about bikes for the kids I wrote the praise story about and food for the family. I like reading what Sandra wrote to her friend which you'll read on the attachment. Thought you'd like to read it too.