One of the greatest joys of this ministry is being able to work alongside the families with whom we serve! As we work together with families to make their homes warm, safe, and dry, we have also have the opportunity to initiate and nurture friendships with them. As we shingle roofs, build wheelchair ramps, and replace floorboards, we are reminded that the relationships we build have significance beyond the physicality of our work. Our relationships are built from the time we spend with the families exchanging stories, laughs, hugs, smiles, phone calls, and sometimes even tears.
Once we have completed all of the needed repairs for an individual family, we make a construction closeout visit with them to make sure that they are satisfied with the repairs. We also coordinate ministry closeout visits with each family. During these ministry closeout visits, two ARM staff visit with the family and engage in a time of discussion about the family’s experience working with us. During these visits, we also present the family with a small toolbox, a framed certificate of appreciation, a Bible signed by all of the ARM staff, a quilt that has been prayed over by another local ministry, and a file folder with an ARM brochure and pen and some return envelopes with our mailing address printed on them. Finally, these visits end in a time of prayer with the family.
One of the best parts about these visits is that it allows for people in our office who have not yet met a certain family to go, meet them, and visit with them! During one of mine and Lisa’s recent visits with Miss Betty–one of the homeowners–she let it slip that her birthday was coming up on the following Monday. Neither Lisa nor I had met Miss Betty before, and we were absolutely blown away by her kindness, hospitality, and joyful spirit. Miss Betty loves interior design, and we could tell the minute she welcomed us into her home! Her home was lovely! She insisted on giving us a tour of her home and showing us each room. Everything was color coordinated, not to mention impeccably clean and tidy.
Miss Betty lives by herself; she doesn’t have a car; and she no longer works. She seems to have very little interaction with other people. In fact, during our visit, there were many times when I caught tears streaming down her face. Over and over, she let us know how excited and appreciative she was that we thought enough about her to come out and visit her. To know how much joy our visit brought Miss Betty drove me to tears as well.
When she told us that her birthday was coming up and that she didn’t have any plans, Lisa sneakily tried to ask her what her favorite type of cake was–we were both thinking the same thing! Birthdays are incredibly special to me, and I think that everyone should feel so super celebrated and loved on their birthday. So, as Lisa and I left Miss Betty’s that day, we began making preparations for her surprise birthday celebration the following week.
Joe, Lisa, and I celebrated Miss Betty’s birthday with her last Monday. The day was filled with cake, candles, cards, laughter, and many, many birthday wishes, blessings, and hugs!
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