Thinking back over the day and the people I met at each of the homes we visited....wow! (About 100 folks here in Heber Springs delivered Turkeys and Fixin's to area neighborhoods, working with AR DreamCenter, NLC and The Sanctuary) The very first home we visited was a young man in his late twenties, whose eyes literally filled with tears when we explained why we there! He said he really thought he would not be having Thanksgiving this year. His job has really cut his hours back because they haven't been as busy. We prayed together before we left...he was just so grateful. It was very touching.
We left, eagerly headed for the next home. This lady had been stepping out of her home as we left his, and quickly ducked back in. We knocked on her home and she chose not to answer. This response saddened me and made me wonder what had happened in her life that would make her afraid like that. I'm praying that the next time we go to her neighborhood we are able to meet with her.
Just one stop later we meet a lovely young mom and her two daughters, 6 and 4. She was so delighted and surprised with the dinner gift. When we asked if there was anything we could pray with her for, she said yes, I have to file for social security benefits for my daughters as we have just lost their dad, but I have absolutely no clue how to do that. What a need! Too many families have lost their fathers....so awful. Not only did we pray with her, but one of our group was able to give her the exact information she needed to get that process completed. She was thrilled.
Time after time, door after door, there were stories of great need. Complete strangers were gratefully and humbly looking us in the eye, and opening their hearts. They trusted us with their hurts and allowed us to ask our Father to help them. It was beyond words. I could very literally continue telling you stories. They seem indelibly etched on my heart. A older woman openly weeping in gratitude and asking for prayer for her and her husband's serious illnesses. A daughter whose widowed father lies in a hospital in Montana very ill from a stroke a few days ago and she unable to go to him due to finances. An elderly mom recovering from a recent heart attack and her son, longing for work. They were scared they wouldn't make it through the winter. A man so incredulous at the gift of a simple turkey that all he could say for about 1 1/2 minutes was "Really? A turkey? Seriously? You want to give me a turkey? Why? Really? What's the catch? Hmmmm...really? Oh...Ok...wow, thanks! Thanks, really, that's awesome!" The christian man who thanked us for honoring God's call to be His hands and feet.
All of this, and I was soooooo blessed. I'm sure even more than they were. Today was wonderful. Thank you, Father for the opportunity. I can't wait to do it again.
I Love You!
~kath
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