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A Mother of Five Interfaith is almost like home. It is a great bunch of friends who care about you and your well-being--many members, but one body. The director, Ione, counsels you and helps you in whatever area she can. When my husband left the program, it was a blessing that the children and I could still stay there. Liberty, the driver, made sure we could go wherever we needed to go. She is a friendly, courteous and helpful person. The other families in LIHN were a joy. We worked as a team. We were in this together. We were like a big family with a lot of laughter and joyous times. The volunteers at the different churches were helpful. I thank them for the time and effort of cooking meals, spending time with us and for using their churches to accommodate us. Asbury UMC gave us a bag of goodies and let the kids play foosball and pool. St. Luke UMC also had those games for the kids (that's a big help for tired mothers). Olivia Flournoy at Westmont Christian helped me move my things into storage and to the Family Center. Gertrude Miller at Quaker Ave. Church of Christ was so friendly; you just kind of forgot you were in a shelter. Also Second Baptist Church provided beds already made up and a house to stay in. When we moved into our apartment, Mr. Pete Ragus and his volunteer team were able to get a kitchen table and chairs, sofas and beds for even a family as big as mine. You all keep doing what the Lord would have you do (in love) and you shall continue to be blessed. Love you all.
A Volunteer's Story I want to tell you a simple story about this Interfaith Hosting Week. A family of six arrived on Monday night. They could have been any family of six. One mom and five kids. It was loud, noisy, excitement as they settled into the basement for their first night in the Interfaith program. We finally got in our circle to give the blessing, together holding hands, before the pizza meal. I asked around the circle if anyone wanted to say grace that night. The little seven-year-old raised her hand quickly, hardly being able to contain herself. I looked at her and said okay, you go ahead. She put here hand down, got shy, realizing now she was going to have to say something in prayer with all these strangers listening to her. She almost did not. You know how you speak or do something before you think about it then kind of wish you could take it back. But she went ahead. She had a simple prayer that night at supper. "Thank you God for giving us a place to sleep. Thank you God for giving us food to eat tonight." She couldn't think of anything more to say, so I finished up with an Amen for her. You ask why we do this program? God answered that little girl's prayer that night in each and every one of you that participated this week. What better way to show a child God's love for her and answer to a prayer she had that day of her young life. God was there that night in our basement, in that circle of strangers, in that simple blessing by a little girl over a shared meal. Three congregations volunteered a total of 440 hours this week. It cost each congregation $43.93 for a total of $131.79 to assist three families (13 families) in need. Interfaith works--Thanks again for all your support.
Good Samaritan Society Established LIHN has established the Good Samaritan Society to acknowledge those donors who pledge to give $1000.00 or more for five years. Some donors have already been doing that during 2002 and more pledged to do so at a Building Dreams luncheon Dec. 5th.
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