Seven of us left for the Black Belt at 8:45 am. It was a beautiful day and we were off to be the hands and feet of Jesus in LA (lower Alabama). We met the social worker at the York drug store to follow her to the Ethridge's with 5 children. Ms. Lisa Ethridge was so sweet and she had written us a card of thanks. We left the middle of nowhere and headed to the Bolden's.
Ms. Bolden has six children - stair steppers - up to age 10 and no running water. She looked so young to be a mother of six and was so thankful for the food. All of the children came running out of the house when we arrived to help carry the items. As we loved on the children their little hands were so cold, but their smiles were so warm.
Back in the car to travel to Board of Education Office to reach Ms. Jackson before she got off from work. We arrived too late, Ms. Jackson was already gone. Kesha began a man-hunt to find her. In the meantime, we drove to the Butler Piggly Wiggly to see Ms. Nora Compton. She has just started a new job at the Pig after new management at the KwikMart laid her off. Ms. Compton was a short round faced lady with a genuine heart of thanks. She is working so hard to make ends meet with two teenage children.
Ms. Jackson called Kesha back and she was at a friends house around the corner from Ms. Compton waiting on a ride home. We delivered Ms. Jackson's food to the front porch. A nicely dressed lady who requested prayer for her husband and his unspoken situation. She expressed hard times making ends meet and thanked us so much for the help.
Last family was approximately 5 miles away. We drove up to this nice house, with Christmas lights strung across the front porch, a two car carport that was as neat as a pen, a nice grass front yard and a shy little girl (9) peeking over the rail. Ms. Carrington greeted us with a hug in her velour sweat suit and her hair tied up in an Aunt Jemimah scarf. We entered this super clean house with new floors, a nice futon sofa and a table and chairs. Mom and daughter appeared very cowed, but very thankful for our generosity. As we left the house, Kesha's eyes were filling with tears. What! This precious little girl had come to her office last week hungry and told her that she had been eating syrup made from sugar and water due to hard times. Kesha explained that this nice home was an old daycare that has been empty for some time and Ms. Carrington had acquired it trying to get back on her feet.
My heart is heavy and my mind is racing on how to help these people - --------
IT IS SO MUCH BETTER TO GIVE than to receive! We are beyond BLESSED!