Remember that old saying, a little goes a long way? Well, this year we're testing it out in a new way. Every Sunday folks in the community have the opportunity to drop a single dollar bill into buckets on the communion tables. That money then goes to someone in need who is not part of Imago Dei Community. Then, the next Sunday, we get to hear stories about where our change went and how it blessed people in our city.
Here is one story in the form of a thank you letter:
Dear Imago Dei Church;
Your gift was given to a single mother of four children. She has been through a whole lot in her life already, and is working really, really hard on creating a house and home for her and her kids to be together, safe, and happy. Although now she is physically healthy and safe, it wasn't always that way for her. Three of the men that she has been involved with have been extremely violent towards her, this last time ending with her and three of her children spending the night in a local emergency room to treat their injuries caused by his abuse.
With time their physical injuries healed, and then it came time to treat their emotional injuries. This mother has her children participating in a local program which works to address the damage caused by domestic violence; the children meet weekly with a therapist to do family counseling. Their mother is committed to helping them renew their trust in the grownups in their life. When I gave her your gift, the first things she said was, 'the kids all need new shoes.' What amazed me is that she had received this big sum of money, and instead of talking about taking the kids to Disneyland, she wanted them to have something basic, but new.
Your gift was wonderful and generous. Thank you for what you did to help this family in their time of need.
Sincerely,
Heidi