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Next Ministry NoteAbandoned Mother and Daughter
It was towards the end of the first week in December, 2009. When I got home from work that day there was a message on our message machine. Someone needing help. When I called the number back a woman answered the phone; I'll leave names out. Anyway, I asked how I could help and how did she get our ministry number. She had looked our number up in the phone book by just looking for any type of ministry help. It was interesting to me when she said that the name 'Stronghold Ministries' just kind of jumped up off the page to her. All she really asked for was if I knew someone who would drive her, and her 12 year-old daughter, to Arlington, VA to catch a bus to New York City on Wednesday, I believe it was. I asked if she had checked out the local cab companies and she responded that they wanted 100.00 dollars. I thought that was rather expensive but, I never used one so I really didn't know.
By now my mind and spirit had become very cautious in the situation, so I asked for more details on why the flee to NYC and the quick time frame.
So she told me the whole story of her husband abandoning her and her daughter some months ago and not even knowing where he was. He not only left them behind but also left all the bills that needed to be paid unpaid. She and her daughter were being evicted in just a few days, so they and all their stuff had to go. There's more detail here, but I'll not get into it.
While talking and thinking about the situation, the thought just popped into my mind about Amtrak. You see, my wife had just come back from a two day trip to NYC with her cousin. So, I hollered into the other room at her. She was already at her computer so I asked her to look up the details and cost of train tickets to NYC. I knew what the cost of the bus fare for two was going to be to New York and I thought to myself, what would I rather do. Ride a confined bus to New York or, ride the train where at least you can get up and move around. Anyway, the wife was having trouble getting into the Amtrak site, so I asked if I could call back this family of two in a few minutes.
After the wife and I finally got into the train website, we found out that the train tickets were only about 35.00 dollars more that the bus fare for two. Also that we could board the train more locally and I wouldn't have to drive the family all the way to Roslyn,VA. You see, I had already decided to take them to their destination myself, but in the evening rush-hour, it was going to be unmerciful.
Anyway, I called them back and purposed the option to them. She said she didn't have enough money for the train. Well, I told her that if they would rather take the train, that the wife and I would foot the bill and take them to the local station. Well the tears on the other end of the telephone started to role. I was getting choked up listening, and finally she said yes in between the thank yous.
Then I hear a voice from the other room of our house saying “we need to meet them first”. Smart woman that wife of mine. So, we set up a meeting and meet with the two. We were satisfied with the meeting. So when we got back home, I called for the tickets, paid for them, and got the necessary code numbers for the tickets.
Two days later, I picked up the mother and daughter, took them to the station and watched them leave Virginia to go to New York. The woman called the next evening and once again thanked us for our kindness.
It is times like these when you have doubts whether or not you should be involved in situations of little understanding. You know, God knows all things and it is only up to us to do the best we can for those that are need. Leave the rest to Him!
Thank you Lord Jesus for that moment in time. Amen