When Family Support Meets a Need
Life doesn’t always follow our carefully laid plans, but sometimes, unexpected moments provide the Body of Christ with opportunities to put compassion into action.
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’” Matthew 25:44-45 (NIV)
Recently, One More Child’s Family Support in Houston, TX, extended a helping hand to a struggling family, fulfilling their basic needs. What followed was a heartfelt thank-you letter that speaks volumes about the importance of supporting struggling families.
Deanna's Letter: A Place to Lay Their Heads
Hello,
My name is Deanna, my husband, Israel, and I have nine children. As a hardworking family, we understand the importance of saving and planning, but sometimes life has its own plans. We have learned a lot in this past year, with enough ups and downs to easily say it has been challenging, but we are still here. We are still able to learn, grow, and smile through the struggle.
I have learned that things do not always turn out the way you planned or think they should have. You can go through tough times and keep looking for better ones if you have the right people behind you.
One More Child’s support has been an absolute blessing to our family. One More Child is also in partnership with a local church’s outreach, and they are truly impacting the community – helping houses become homes one family at a time.
They were told about our need for household items, mostly a bed for ourselves. We had already placed an order with the Houston Furniture Bank for beds for our children and other household items needed, but we completely forgot we needed a bed to sleep on as well.
One More Child’s staff said they would see what was available in the church’s outreach warehouse and get back to us. They found us a king-size bed and reserved it for us. We planned to meet the following week to pick up the mattress. My husband and father hitched a trailer to our truck, and we met up with One More Child staff to load the mattress. To our surprise, they not only got a mattress but also pillows for our entire family, new duvet sets, extra pillowcases, blankets for each of our kids, and even supplies to help clean our new home.
One More Child and the church also arranged for a lawnmower and a water fountain they had in the warehouse. We left with our trailer and truck filled beyond our expectations.
One More Child and the church truly went above and beyond for us, and we are thankful for everything they have done for us, including helping with diapers and wipes for our younger children.
There is nothing more beautiful than people who go out of their way to make life beautiful for others – those who take the time to brighten the lives of others. In big ways, in small ways, in every single way, One More Child, you are those wonderful people, and your thoughtfulness is appreciated so very much.
Sincerely,
Deanna H.
Houston, Texas
One More Child Senior Director of Family Support, Charletta Behn, reflected, “These are the moments that surely remind me that I’m operating in my gifts and bring Glory to God.” That is a sentiment felt by many of our staff. To all our faithful partners, volunteers, and donors – the blessings One More Child is able to offer the struggling families we encounter would not be possible without you. Thank you.