One evening in August, at 10:30 p.m., we were made aware that one of the apartments we had just hosted a lunch and free garage sale at that day, was on fire! A 15 year old, who is involved in the Leaders In Training Program, called me concerned about his neighbors. Feeling God’s prompting, and the encouragement of the 15 year old boy who lives down the street, my husband and I loaded up to go see if we could find some of our friends from the apartment. When we arrived we were met by the fire chief, who said residents had been asking for Mission Southside.
We came alongside families, found shoes for the barefoot, purchased chicken nuggets and water and milk and fruit for those who hadn’t yet eaten, when the fire broke out, and were famished because it was a long night. At about 3:30 am we were able to help not only pay for rooms, but to encourage, console and escort the displaced families to their motel room for the next several days. The next morning we met them with breakfast and coffee at Mission Southside, where they were able to find clothing and shoes, food, and even gift cards to meet physical needs. Our friends from one of our church partners, met us there to help their friends they had recently met in the last couple months. When I asked one of my friends if she was going to church this morning, trying to figure out when she could meet the families, she said, “ THIS is Church today!” There were many emotions. There were questions about why Mission Southside would go out of our way to help these families with more than just "stuff". There were hugs, lots of hugs. There were tears. In this vulnerable situation, we became good friends.
Everything we do is about relationship. 5 months later these relationships have grown to a whole new level. Because we loved you so much.....we were delighted to share not only the Gospel of God, but our lives as well. 1 Thessalonians 2:8
Recently, my friend, Rocio, a former resident at one of our 15 under resourced apartment communities we serve, reached out to me about helping a friend who experienced a bad fire a month ago early in the morning. How could I say no?
Rocio and her husband, Jose, delivered food every Friday to one of the communities faithfully for two years, and even continued for 5 months after they moved into a duplex with more room than their tiny little apartment. While they lived at this apartment community, they also became volunteers of Mission Southside, wanting to give back and be a part of something bigger.
Rocio asked if we could help this family, a mom and 5 kids, with clothing, blankets and shoes today. You see, Rocio and Jose had generously taken in this family of 6, until they could find another home....which could be weeks. They told her not to worry about food or rent, they will take care of it, and they could stay as long as they needed.
After Mission Southside helped this family with clothes, bedding and some gift cards, Jose reached out to me. He wanted to thank us for taking care of their friends. He was grateful and kept repeating gracias a Dios por la Mision. (Thanks to God for the Mission)
After chatting for a bit he revealed that he lost his job on Tuesday, just two days before they took in this family. Yet, they graciously offered to share what they have, with their friend who lost EVERYTHING the next day. We were able to help move this family into their new house last week.
A few weeks ago, I got to sit in on an amazing offer of tuition paid to a kiddo who would definitely have struggled to pay it. This 18 year old from Olathe North works, has to help with rent, and doesn't have a vehicle. The offer didn't come from someone with an affluent business, but someone who drives a 2007 van, and she admitted she could have used the money to by a new van with less than 250,000 miles on it. But sitting at a table, listening to the reasons that prompted this generous donor to give such a gift, and how she felt God leading her to do this, I was overcome!
God's evaluation is different than man's. This season where we are dependent on the grand gestures of giving, I am reminded that God LOVES a cheerful giver big and small. He is faithful to take care of His own. Whether it is the deceased woman's family who looked out for a cancer patient by bringing what she had, (her couponing extras) or the woman who could have updated her car, or the guy who lost his job, but took in a family, or your donation to Mission Southside of $5-$5000. God will honor what is brought to the table, the widow's mite. God is faithful to our mission and to, and through, the people we serve and serve with.
Would you consider joining Greg and I in making a monthly donation, or a one time tax-deductible end of the year donation to help Mission Southside be prepared for future crisis and to keep our programs like Leader's In Training, ESL, Homework Huddles, Discovery Studies and other ministry going? If you already do or have, we are humbly grateful.
Thanks for your generosity and your ongoing prayer for this ministry of putting God's love into action by extending help through hope.
