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Random Acts of Kindness

November 2004 - October 2005

Here is our RACK story (from several months ago):

My husband and I had the money that Wesley gave us for the RACK ministry in our wallet for several weeks waiting for the perfect moment to use it. The perfect moment never came upon us, so we decided to use it in a different way.
 
On a Friday night, we went to Cracker Barrel to have a nice "home-cooked" meal. We noticed that our waitress was working very hard and was quite busy. Despite her business, we found her to be particularly pleasant and very efficient at her job. We decided that we would leave her a regular $5 tip, but add the RACK money ($20) to it. We put the money under our ticket and left the restaurant. As it turned out, our waitress was more deserving and honest than most.  She came running out the front door of Cracker Barrel into the parking lot. She told us that we must have accidentally left her the wrong bill, but we just shook our head and got into the car.
 
My husband and I thought about our good deed for a lot longer than that $20 would have lasted her. It was a rewarding experience for all. Random acts of kindness help make the world a better place.

Thank you for doing the RACK ministry.

Laura Morris

* * * * *

While in NYC in April ... I found opportunity to share my random acts of kindness envelope. I saw a woman with two small children standing on the street corner. One of the children was in a car seat the other was probably 3, maybe a little younger. Anyway, I heard the mother tell the small boy, "hold out your cup maybe someone will give us something." I am not sure there was a definite need or to what the money would be used for but I remembered the envelope almost immediately - which I had nearly forgotten about. After I gave the child the envelope his mother tried to take it and the small boy did not want to give it to her. I watched from the corner of my eye as I walked down the street and finally the boy gave the envelope to his mother. She read the card and said "from Georgia." I think...

It was nice to share the Goodness of God with total strangers.
I hope this is the kind of story you are looking for...
Jennifer M. Stafford 
 

* * * * *

Update to Oct/Nov. 2004 story of the lady from the Salvation Army. I ran into her in the front office of a business I was visiting last week, and she remembered me. She has a full-time job now and thanked me again for the help.
 

* * * * *

While looking for 'day labor' to hold roadside signs for a client's sale recently, I went to the Salvation Army shelter and quickly found several homeless men who jumped at the chance to make $6 an hour cash. One of the Salvation Army kitchen managers said he had just the right person - and he called out to a woman in her mid-30's with 2 children and a dog who were seeking shelter. All of their belongings filled the minivan they drove. Long story short, she was able to earn $200 cash from the client for about 8 hours of holding these signs with her children. Then it hit me to give her the envelope the next day at the shelter. She just arrived here from Tennessee. Has a cousin at Ft. Gordon who is helping her get in the Army as a chaplain. This lady, who has a Master's degree, was down to the clothes on her back. She said "God bless you." But it was me who was blessed!

* * * * *

There was a well known custodian at my office building. For as long as I could remember I had seen her diligently washing windows, vacuuming and polishing water fountains. After a few years of simply passing her by and smiling or just giving the obligatory “How are you?” I decided to stop and tell her how much I appreciated all of her hard work. I started to get to know her and soon discovered that she was a devoted Christian. I also learned that she was single handedly raising her grandchildren because her daughter had long since disappeared without a trace. She was a hard working, over fifty, single woman making minimum wage struggling to make ends meet but I never once heard her complain.

A few weeks ago there was a change of management at the building, and the trustworthy custodian of 15 years was “let go” because she didn’t depict the high society image that some of the building’s tenants wished to portray. After she was told to gather her things and leave, she came to find me in my office. She just wanted to tell me that she was leaving and that she appreciated that fact that I acknowledged both her and the effort that she put forth to keep the building clean. When I asked her what she was going to do, knowing full well that she lived from one paycheck to the next, I was amazed by how undaunted she was. I could tell that her trust in God to get her though and not been shaken. It was at that moment that I remembered the RACK envelope in my bag which was waiting for just such an occasion. I handed it to her and said, “I hope this helps.”

* * * * *

Well, it was Christmas day, and my wife sent me to the "Pump & Shop" (the only thing open) for some essentials we'd forgotten to stock up on. As I waited in line to pay for my purchase, I took note of the young lady in front of me. At first glance she appeared to be dressed nicely - apparently on her way to some family Christmas gathering. Upon closer inspection, I could tell there was something just not quite right. Her clothes, although clean, were threadbare and worn. This, I know realized, was the owner of the old clunker at the gas pump with bald tires and more primer than paint.

* * * * *

When she reached the front of the line, she began to pay for the five dollars of gas she'd pumped with a pocket full of change. Quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies jingled around on the counter as she counted out loud with the help of the lady behind the counter. When she finally got through, it became clear that she had counted out exactly five dollars in change before even starting her journey, knowing how much she'd need to get to and from wherever her Christmas was to be spent. All I could think of was the RACK envelope which now seemed to burn a whole in my wallet, screaming to get out. As she left the counter, I gently touched the patched up elbow of her tattered winter coat, placed the envelope in her hand and wished her a Merry Christmas. She gave me a quizical glance, her head tilted, before realizing the envelope obviously held some form of help. As her eyes seemed to tear up, she tried to tell me I didn't have to do that, but I just told her "yes, I do," (my own voice somewhat shaky now) and "Merry Christmas!" I didn't watch her leave, I didn't have to.

* * * * *

When I took the Rack envelope with twenty dollars in it, I had no idea just who I would give this gift to that day.  Later, while talking to our daughter, Carole, in Atlanta, she told me about a girlfriend that was definitely in need.  In fact, the girlfriend, half jokingly, commented that she guessed they would be eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for Christmas. I know her friend, Kay, and realize she has had a tough time as a single parent.  Even though her girls are older now, she still makes the most of her money--not on Welfare, but babysitting. 
I am confident that Rack put a smile on her face.  I know it made her Christmas a better, happy time. Thanks to the Rack benefactor!
Sondra Gillespie

* * * * *

I was walking in the back street of a downtown location close to my work and a man came up to me and started talking about Jesus. He said that he hardly ever came down that street but was directed there by someone. We begin talking about Jesus and he told me he was HIV positive. I really thought he was going to hit me up for some money but he never did. He had a rake in his hand and told me that he worked to get money by raking leaves at people's homes in the area. He was Homeless.
At ant rate, the comversation continued. He told me that he needed to go and for me to have a nice day and a Happy New Year. I reached in my wallet and pulled out my RACK card and the twenty dollar bill. I said "WAIT"! He came back to me and I handed it to him and I said. I hope this helps and I walked away. He then said, "Hey Mister!! Can you read this to me? I cannot read." I read it to him and tears ran down his face as he did not even see the twenty yet.
I said look closer in the envelope.
He then hugged me and said" Jesus is looking after me". I said yes He is.
We parted. Oh my what a feeling that came over me!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks be to God!

* * * * *

On Saturday I took my car in for an oil change, while waiting in line I was behind a lady at the front desk who was talking to one of the mechanics. She was in tears. So being nosey, I got little closer and I could hear the lady saying she can’t afford to pay that kind of money to get her car out. She asked him to lower the price or allow her to make payments because she was a single mom with 3 kids she needed her car to get back and forth to work. He would not.

Being a single mother myself with a large bill after a recent accident, I knew how she felt. I added what was in my purse ($55) to the envelope, walked up, touched the lady on her shoulder handed her the envelope and said "Happy New Year" and walked off.

I have never felt so wonder in my life. I got back to my car and cried just of the feeling to be able to help someone. Thank you not just for the opportunity but also for the permission to give to another.

* * * * *

I held on to my first RACK envelope for almost an entire year. To be honest, there were many times that I forgot about the small envelope in my wallet. Every now and then I would encounter a person who seemed at first that they might be worthy of my small parcel, but it just didn't feel right. I would pray every now and then for God to help me to remember those that might need his gift and to keep my eyes open.
After about a year of receiving my 1st Rack money I was having lunch with my best friend. During our conversation he mentioned to me about the plight of one of our mutual friends. The subject of our conversation was how our mutual friend (Mr. X) was going through a very hard time. His mother was recently diagnosed with cancer, his father was in jail, he and his wife are about to loose their home, and to top it all off Mr. X had just lost his job. My friend mentioned that he remembered that I loaned Mr.... X several hundred dollars a year ago and that since I never got the money back I probably didn't want to hear about Mr. X's current troubles. The truth was that Mr. X and I used to be great fiends and that I couldn't care less about ever getting that money back that I had originally given to him. I don't know if it was the fact that Mr. X was embarrassed that he took my money or what the case may have been, but he stopped calling me, having lunch, or returning my calls when I just called to say hey after my loan.

I returned to work thinking about my lunch and how I missed having lunch with my friend Mr. X. I decided that I would send him my RACK money anonymously. I figured that if anyone could use the money at that time, he sure could. I also hoped that he would see that even in the darkest times God is still having a hand in your life.
My best friend and I went to lunch a couple of weeks after I sent my anonymous letter to Mr. X. My Friend told me that he spoke to Mr. X the night before. It seems that Mr. X had come in to a little bit of money, and he had treated his wife to a small dinner at a local restaurant. it was the same place that I had orignally learned of Mr. X's plight. My friend was appalled that with their problems Mr. X would spend his money going out with his wife instead of paying bills or whatever. I told my friend that I sent Mr. X some money on behalf of our Church. I explained the whole thing to my friend and my wife later that day. What can I say other than we all shed a tear of joy and sorrow. There is no way to know if Mr. X was reached emotionally like we were, but I know that he knows that someone out there as well as God cares for him very much.

God bless the generous donation of a Wesley member, I had one one envelope with money and one envelope I put money in, this idea of RACK was simply wonderful, but I had no idea of what to do with it. My first thought was to carry it around and when I found a stranger that I thought needed it the most I would give it to them. My second thought was what the one that won out. I know of a senior that lives at St. John's Towers, which the Methodist also help support. She was one of the more recent victims of car theft after her car had been vandalized twice before this year. Two days before Thanksgiving 2004 the thugs came back and took the only thing she had to her name, her car. It was an older car, her father left to her, had low mileage , she babied that car, and was her independence. When those thugs took her car, they also hurt many other seniors that she helps, she will complete those prescription forms for seniors that can't, go to their doctor, drug stores. She volunteers with Georgia Care, she has finally started finding her niche and helping others.She volunteers for CSRA-RDC, so the thugs don't realize how many people they hurt when they stole that senior's car. Everyone's car has been found by Richmond Co. but her car. I know those envelopes had to have brightened her day. She called me and asked me wasn't that the name of the church that I go to, and I said yes, that they were doing this RACK thing and I guess she was chosen somehow.I wanted her to know what wonderful people and a wonderful church I attend now.I never wanted her to know I had anything to to do with this. She moved here from Tenn. at my request, I am her daughter. I feel responsible that her car is gone now, where she lived before was a secure place. I was always able to help my mother financially, but last year I had many surgeries, and have many health issues, so my working career is over. So I too cannot wait to see what God is doing through this ministry. I want to see a smile on her face again as well as the other people.

I have been walking around with this envelope in my back pocket looking to find a really
needy person. Yesterday, I was in a pawn shop visiting a friend who works there when I noticed this elderly couple buying back things that a “family” member had stolen & pawned to get cash.

The story, the couple and the events just tugged at my heart. So, as this couple was finishing up, I told my friend good-bye, Merry Christmas and walked to the door. I planned my leaving so that I met the couple at the door. With one hand holding the door and the other shaking their hands. I wished them a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Having primed the envelope with an extra $30, I dropped it in their bag and walked away. What a feeling knowing that they will get a surprise for Christmas!

* * * * *

The Amazing Feeling Of Giving
While walking through the parking lot at work this morning a young woman in an old car drove up and ask for money. She had a sad story about being homeless and needing money to pay for a room for the night. Something told me this was a scam and I didn't help her. But I really felt bad about it - who was I to judge this woman's need. The "leaded" envelope in my pocketbook was getting very heavy about that time. I told a friend what happened. She said to pray and if that was what I was supposed to do the woman would come back.
A little later I was with a friend browsing through stores downtown. We stopped by the Rescue Mission thrift shop on Broad Street to check out the used furniture. While there I watched a woman with five young children. She was probably a grandmother or foster mother - she seemed a little old to be the mother. She was letting the kids pick out clothes. Each had a basket with their new things. We left the store and I remembered the envelope. I walked back inside, gave it to the woman and said Merry Christmas.... She looked at me a little oddly, and said Thank You.
Adam was right - the feeling of giving was amazing. My friend almost cried. I feel wonderful. Thank you for the experience.
I found out that the woman in the car had been all over downtown for a few days panhandling - and in some cases scaring people. I don't know if that makes my earlier decision correct. But I do hope she finds her way.

* * * * *

A Smile A Day
While Christmas shopping last night, I was standing in the toy section trying to decide between two toys for my daughter. A middle aged woman was standing beside me gazing among the many toys to choose from. With a lot of exhaustion in her voice she said, "Wow, I'll be glad when all of this is over." I smiled and said, "I know. It's such a hectic time of year."

Then, she went on to tell about how Christmas has lost it's meaning and how society has put so much expectation into gift giving. She said she was doing her best to provide for her daughter on an everyday basis, much less be able to afford such an expensive holiday.

This of course caught my attention, because of the envelope I've been carrying around, wondering who to give it to. So, I started to make casual conversation with her. And, in doing so, I discovered that she is a single parent, in the middle of moving and had stayed at her home the past two nights without heat. All they have are electric blankets and she was hoping to have her gas turned on by the end of the week.

Even though we only talked for about ten minutes, I realized that at this moment, this woman was less fortunate than me. I reached in my purse and pulled out my envelope. I told her that I didn't know if she needed it or not, but that I wanted to give her a Christmas gift. When she opened it, she was not only surprised, but also seemed embarrassed or somewhat ashamed to accept it, but extremely thankful. I told her Merry Christmas and walked away.

I think she may still be in shock. But, for me it was the most powerful conversation I have ever had with a complete stranger. Thank you, Wesley, for sending me on such a self rewarding mission.
I've always tried to every day make at least one person smile, because you never know how much they may need it. And, I have to admit that was the biggest and best smile I've seen yet.
A Proper Burial
I learned that a man's brother had just died and there was no money for the burial. My first thought was that the money was not nearly enough, then I remembered the verse. I decided to give him an envelope with a bible verse in this time of need (it just happened to have money with it), rather than the other way around.
Christmas Gifts for Children's Mission
Last night two of us were shopping in Aiken, SC, and were getting ready to purchase our merchandise. I noticed that two ladies in front of us were buying stuff for children in bulk and that the lady paying for the merchandise was telling the cashier that they ran a children's mission in New Ellenton, SC, and were buying the children’s gifts.

We both agreed that we should give our envelopes to them. I walked up to the ladies and said "I overheard you saying that you ran a mission for children. Here, I hope this helps, and Merry Christmas." She said, "Thank you."

They left the store and we continued to wait in the checkout line. We were detained in the store for quite a while waiting for the woman in front of us to finish. When we left and were walking to my car, we realized that the ladies must have been waiting for us. The two ladies pulled up beside us and said, "Thank you both very much and Merry Christmas. You don’t know how much this means to us. God bless you!"

They left and so did we. We both still feel so good about what we have done. It put a warm feeling in our hearts to know that these women would be able to buy gifts for all of the children that they watch over.

We just wanted to share our story with others.

* * * * *

True Meaning Of The Season
Upon receiving the envelope, I had a person in mind. However, we left church & drove to Bobby Jones Exp to buy newspapers from a corner vendor (my son was in the paper today). I noticed a lady was hustling to desperately sell papers, while her much younger male counterparts were not even trying. I stopped and asked her if her papers contained the Columbia News Times. She said she did not know, but that she would allow me to look. I told her I would need 6, if it did. When I could not find the Times, she said, "It is just my luck." knowing I would not need the papers. I immediately knew she could use the RACK and asked her to wait a minute. As I pulled the envelope from the car, I wished her a Merry Christmas and asked her not to lose the envelope. The look of joy on her face...perhaps she can now afford a Christmas dinner or gift for a child and pass the Act on reading the verse inside and remembering the true meaning of the Season. Thank you for allowing me this opportunity and to show my children the difference one person can make in the life of another.