Against The Grain

Today had some very low lows and some incredibly high highs.  We pulled up in front of the apartment and began loading the belongings of a single mother and her three year old son into the back of the AtG van.  She had lost her job and was going to be evicted tomorrow morning.  If she wasn't out, the police would have showed up and moved all of her belongings to the curb.  Often when this happens, people from the community rummage through the belongings and take what they want, the items are ruined by bad weather or they wind up in the trash.  On occasion, the person has a place to store their belongings, but that isn't very often.  The lows began when Tayshawn (the three year old) kept saying "NO, PUT MY BED DOWN…I AM NOT MOVING."  He continued with every item we picked up.  I told Meredith "I may not be worth much the rest of the day" as I fought back the tears.  We finally got him to settle down by engaging him in the loading of the van and a well timed chocalate milk from McDonalds.

Just as we were finishing up, the Landlord showed up.  We all tried to keep clear as he talked to other residents in the apartments and we went about our business.   After a few minutes he came in and asked who was the young woman that was living there.  He then handed her $40.  She asked if it was a deposit refund or why he was giving her the money and he said "No, I just want to try and help someone who is the victim of circumstances.  I am thankful you found a place and I didn't have to put you out…I hate that."  She told him that she was going to get with him in a week or so to make arrangements to pay him the back rent she owed and he said "No, I don't give a lot to the church just so they can give it to someone else.  I would rather give to someone who I know is trying to get their life back together.  Don't worry about the back rent.  I will go down to the courthouse and release you from your debt."  WE WERE BLOWN AWAY!!!  This man has a reputation for being tough and no on e was expecting that.   

A local youth pastor and his wife are going to take this mother and her son in and help them get back on their feet.  When I left, Tayshawn was loading all of his toys into his new toybox.  This afternoon, this young mother is working on putting the pieces of her life back together.  She has already visited a Daycare that is willing to work with her as she finds a job.  It's amazing how the pain of the morning can be swept away with the hope found in the afternoon.

Last nights 180 Program was awesome.  The moms are being taught Self-Defense from the Franklin Police Department.  It is a program called the RAD Program (Rape, Agression Defense) and the women have had a great time learning how to fend off attacks and take control of their lives. Last night was the second of four weeks that they will be going through this program and they are really catching on well.  The first week they were all a little timid and had to be pulled out of their shells, but last night they were punching and kicking and yelling.  Their confidence is rising and you can see it in their eyes.  They are loving it.

The kids had a great night too.  They have all been working hard this summer on Math and Reading skills so last night we just relaxed.  The older kids went to the park and played ball, the K - 3 graders had a fish theme.  It started with One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish and then they watched Shark Tales and ate some popcorn.  The Pre-K group did some fireworks crafts and played Simon Says.  It was a great evening and a lot of fun.   

Barbara is one of our moms.  She has her own place, but like every house, is often in need of repairs.  Last weekend we got a text that she had no hot water and the water heater was leaking.  Mike Newberry, with Air Doctors, has made himself available to assist with things like this.  He went by to diagnose exactly what needed to be done and then, while the rest of us were cooking out, Mike spent his Fourth of July replacing her water heater. 
Barbara had the money in the bank to buy the Water Heater and Mike donated the Labor.  Mike's business, Air Doctors, cleans Air Ducts for air conditioning systems.  If you are interested in having your ducts cleaned please call Mike at (615) 242-1230.