Ok, POT Class & LifeGroup,
I wanted to send a little update re Elizabeth Williams, the lady you blessed on Sunday with some funds, and also just gave her some love.
Elizabeth has 4 teenage kids at home right now: Tiasa, age 13, a 7th grader who has the sweetest, bubbly disposition; Markel, age 13, an 8th grader who is growing way too fast, also a kind kid who loves sports; Shenikquia, age 16, a sophomore who loves to read and sing, and Gancey, age 17 (who I have yet to meet—he was at a friend’s house when I went over).
Elizabeth moved to Memphis from Chicago in the summer, had a full-time job here until October—but was suddenly laid off when the company shut much of its operations down. Since then she has really struggled to gain employment, she has done (and is doing) odd jobs where she can get them—plus is actively looking for a full-time job. She is behind on some bills because of her unemployment, and especially getting behind on rent and car has been very stressful. But she is resourceful, has begun navigating all the assistance programs out there so she can try and keep her family fed, etc, all the while trying to find a “real” job as well. Yet she is literally living on the edge.
She has been homeless in the past, and has even lived out of a car before. And she is determined to not be in that position again. Her house, though bare, was clean, smelled good. Her kids were also clean, clothes are obviously regularly washed and nothing fancy. When I said bare re the house, I mean bare. No furniture to speak of, no beds, just a mattress in each room. No dressers, no bedside stands, no couch, no TV, no Playstation/Wii, no stereo, no computer… just a couple of tables in the living room with some chairs. Also, there is not one sign of Christmas, not out of choice—there is just no funds for Xmas. No tree, no decorations, no lights, no presents, no carols in the air. I did see a couple of Bibles, and a couple of items that had a religious connotation on a mantel. But no signs that Santa was coming here whatsoever.
Now I am genuinely not trying to manipulate or oversell on any of our heartstrings or emotions. Elizabeth has her past, has made mistakes, and is cautious about how forthcoming she is of her “story”. But I have now seen upfront and personal that she is a mom who loves her kids, is trying to trust God, is willing to work hard, and is petrified of being out in the streets again with nothing and no one. She has NO safety net if she loses her house or car; she has no family or real friends here. Survival totally depends on her.
So how would you like to do a little “Santa” stuff in the name of Jesus for Elizabeth and her family? Nothing huge, but God led her to us, and it just seems there are some things we could do to bless her family a little more, and encourage her as she gnaws and scratches her way out of this situation. Here’s what I am asking, and jump in only if you feel called, ok. I know some of you are already doing some other AMAZING things for some others right now—God bless you.
But what about just a few presents for the kids, and maybe a small amount of cash to spend on food, household items until her government check comes on Dec 31st? Here are her kids sizes: Shenikquia size 9/10 pants, medium shirt, 8 ½ shoe; Taisia 7/8 pants, sm/med shirts, 7 ½ shoe; Markel 13/14 pants, XL shirt, 8 shoe; Gancey size 16 pants, shirt XXL, 10 shoe. (I am assuming these are all kids sizes??? The kids are all skinny.) Then maybe a couple of games, maybe Monopoly, Trouble, Sorry, Uno, plus some decks of cards. Maybe a few books (teen Christian fiction?) and a teen devo book. No video games, no DVDs, no CDs, no TVs, no sound systems. Maybe some $5 gift cards??? But beyond that, feel free to be creative. But this is NOT a call to overdo it, let’s keep it simple. In fact, as for the cash, no more than a $5-$10 from each family max. Elizabeth is not expecting anything, and is not wanting a handout.
If you’ll bring whatever you want, and get it to me and Jeannie, or put it in the resource room upstairs down the hall from the POT room, that would be nice. As for any cash, we’ll just leave an envelope up by the blackboard. And then we’ll make sure on Christmas Day they are blessed by whatever you folks bring.
Ok, jump on this for Sunday ONLY if you can, and only if you feel a call. But no matter what, thanks for all you’ve already done for Elizabeth and her family.
See you Sunday!
Brotherly,
Tom Alexander
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