Mission Update from One More Child
Every week, the leadership and staff of One More Child come together for prayer and devotion to celebrate the encouraging progress in our ongoing mission to serve vulnerable children and struggling families, all for the glory of God.
Recently, our staff shared some stories of “holy interruptions:” moments in which God changed the course of their day or brought up a sudden situation that provided a unique opportunity to serve the vulnerable in the name of Jesus.
Here is a glimpse into the recent stories of good news and holy interruptions at One More Child:
An Early-Morning Parking Lot Meeting
Heather Bryant, One More Child’s Chief of Staff, came into work one morning with a plan. With a day full of meetings ahead of her, Heather planned to come in early and check items off her to-do list. Before Heather even walked into the building, a woman stopped her in the parking lot, motioned toward the Single Moms office at Bonneville cottage, and asked, “Is this One More Child?”
Heather responded, “Yes! Why don’t we go inside and talk more.” After heading inside, the woman shared her name, Hannah*, and began telling her story. Hannah is a single mom struggling through a divorce, while trying to care for her 2-year-old daughter. With no monetary support from her child’s father, Hannah had to take her daughter out of daycare and was behind on paying the rent. She shared with Heather that she was down to her last two diapers when she discovered One More Child through our website.
Heather was certain we’d be able to help Hannah and her daughter, so she reached out to Craig Parrow, Executive Director of Operations, and Jessica Dygert, Volunteer Engagement Coordinator, to help provide Hannah with what she needed. Craig met Heather and Hannah at the Compassion Center, and when they went into the Family Market together, Hannah’s jaw dropped. She asked, “May I use this buggy? How much do the diapers cost?”
Craig answered her, “Nothing—you can get what you need.”
After Hannah picked out diapers, wipes, and food items, Jessica greeted her with a friendly smile and invited her to fill out a form so our team could follow up with her. Then Heather helped Hannah pack her car and prayed with her, moving Hannah to shed tears of relief.
Heather shared, “I don’t always get to see our wonderful staff in action providing direct care, but I did today. The Lord had a plan for my early arrival, and it was to do His work for His glory.”
A Late-Night Phone Call
Late one Sunday night in Jacksonville, Sundy Goodnight, One More Child’s Senior Director of Partnerships, heard her phone ring. When she looked, it was a local Children’s Ministry Director with whom One More Child partners. Over the phone, he said to Sundy, “We’ve come across something, and we think One More Child can help.”
The ministry director explained that they met a single mom who was experiencing homelessness with a 3-week-old baby, a 1-year-old, a 2-year-old, and a 5-year-old. When he heard about this mom, he thought of One More Child’s Single Moms program and wanted to get this mom connected.
First thing the following morning, Sundy called Sheena Wood, One More Child Senior Family Coordinator, who is over Single Moms in Jacksonville. Sheena was quick to take action, reaching out to the mom to ensure One More Child could provide her with the support and resources she needed.
Sundy explained this experience, saying, “I’m so thankful that when people in our community here in Jacksonville are in need, they think of One More Child.”
A Rainy-Day Foster Care Placement
The Greene* family thought the sudden need for umbrellas and rain boots would be the biggest adjustment to their day—but that changed with one conversation and one decision. As a One More Child licensed foster family, the Greenes are more familiar with sudden changes than most people. But that day, they received a call from a foster care staff member with a more urgent need than usual.
A child had been removed from an unsafe situation and urgently needed a foster home that could take him in. Due to the circumstances of the removal, the team had little to no information about the child, including his birthdate. When the Greenes got the call about this child, they said “yes” and then met with the child protective investigator in the rain to pick him up and take him home.
When the Greenes pulled into their driveway, the young boy said to his new foster family, “In this house, I’m gonna be good.” This statement proved true as the young boy began to acclimate well to his foster home, experiencing safety, friendship from his new foster brother, and love from his foster family.
Later, the foster care team and the Greenes finally received more information about this young boy. As the foster mom was reading through his file, she realized her foster son and her biological son shared the same birthday. On that rainy day, God brought family, love, hope, and safety to one more child.
*Names and photos changed for privacy.
Be Ready to Be Inconvenienced
God is always at work, and as followers of Jesus, we should be ready to be inconvenienced by whatever He has planned. As we seek to faithfully tend to our responsibilities and accomplish the tasks set before us each day, we should also be on the lookout for and embrace any holy interruptions that may come.
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)