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Random Acts of Kindness

December 2005- February 2006

It was Sat, Jan 21 about 6 pm. I pulled into our church parking lot and was about to go into the gym to retrieve one of our teenagers. I was preoccupied, talking business on the cell phone, and gasped when I looked up out my car window to see a lanky, scruffy fellow about 30 years old standing just inches from my face.

He said, "please mam' can you help me? My wife has diabetes and was just discharged from the hospital. We don't have enough gas to get out to Harlem (where they live) and we were gonna ask my grandma to help. She lives just around the corner over there, but she wasn't home. My wife really needs something to eat, and I don't have any way to get any money. Can you please help?"

There were lots of other cars in the parking lot. Folks were milling around the gym door, too. I wondered if I had enough cash to help him much. I didn't want to riffle through my pocketbook alone at dusk in the parking lot with him. So, I said, come on with me; I can help, and headed into the gym for safety. Once inside the door, I looked into my purse and there was the envelope I had forgotten about! Handing it to him, I said, "Here, God bless you."

...and they said to Jesus, "Lord, when were you hungry and we did not feed you...when were you weary and we did not offer you rest? And He said " If you do this to the least of my brothers, you have done it to me also".

* * * * *

On Dec. 20th, I learned of a family who had lost everything in an early morning fire. I begin gathering up clothing and household items, I realized I should "load" my RACK envelope and send it with the box of items. It felt good to help someone, and today, Dec. 26th, I read about the family in the paper and how grateful they were to many friends, neighbors, and area churches who had helped them make this perhaps their best Christmas ever even through their devastation.

* * * * *

It was New Years day about 4:00 in the afternoon. I was on my way home when I realized that I needed to stop at the store for some hotdog buns. I pulled into the parking lot of Food Lion. As I was looking for a place to park, I noticed an elderly couple going into the store. The woman was using a walker. As I was walking toward the bread isle, I saw that same couple again. They were on the card isle looking at different cards and laughing. They seemed so sweet together, yet looked like they could use some help. I walked up to the woman who had her back to me. I tapped her on the shoulder and said "Ma am...'. She said " Oh, I'm sorry". I guess she thought she was in my way. I said " God Bless You. Take this, it's for you." She took the envelope and looked up at me. I smiled, turned and walked away. She looked in the envelope and said "Ma am, ma am". I turned back and said "It's for you." As I got to the end of the isle, I heard her husband say, "What is it?" and she said "It's money". They seemed happy, surprised and puzzled all at the same time.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to experience what it is like to give to others. One of my New Year's resolutions is to be more aware of others needs and to give more to those less fortunate. This has been an experience that I will never forget.

* * * * *

I went to my son’s school just before they got out for Christmas holidays. The kids were having such a good time receiving small gifts that classmates and teachers had shared during the Christmas Party that the parents were providing.
There was one small child who was just sitting at a desk in the front of the class. He wasn’t talking or playing with any of the other kids. The teacher showed me a letter that the little boy’s mom had sent to her. The letter stated that the mom had a job that didn’t pay much money, just enough for her to pay some bills and their rent. All the other kids had pulled names for Christmas. The mom didn’t have money to buy a gift for another child so she didn’t let her son participate in pulling names. Although we had purchased extra gifts to make sure every child had something, it still was heartbreaking to see that child so distant. His clothes were literally 2 or 3 sizes to big. His shoes were so big they flopped off his feet. (If you know what it looks like to see a small child wearing his dad’s shoes, that’s what it looked like.) The shoes had no shoe strings and he had no socks.
Shortly thereafter the mom showed up at the school. I met her in the hall. I hugged her and told her that whatever situation she was going through would change and she would be blessed. She seemed glad that anyone took the time to try to understand. She began tell me how she was having such a hard time and could barely provide food and shelter for her son. I told her she did not have to explain, but to believe in God and have faith.
I put what cash I had into the envelope along with what was already there and told her to open it when she returned home. She looked at me and then just said "Thank you." I felt blessed to be able to give her the money as well as the hope that her little boy will be able to celebrate Jesus' birthday.

* * * * *

I have been looking around for that person in need, but I could not decide which one to give it to. Then, on Christmas Eve I had messed up some Christmas gifts for the kids so I had to rush out to do some last minute shopping. I was determined to give it away this night. So while I was walking through the store I assessed everyone I passed. Several times, I saw this woman with a baby and a elderly lady. Finally, I went up to them and said excuse me. As they turned and looked at me, I reached out my hand with the envelope and placed it in the young mother's hand and told her Merry Christmas and God Bless.
 
She just looked at me and said Merry Christmas with a very puzzled look on her face. This happened within a couple of seconds which felt like hours. My heart was pounding. Then I turned and almost ran out of the store. It was a great feeling. I just keep saying Thank you God over and over.

* * * * *

Hungry--
I work in a medical clinic. One day, one of my patients came in to be seen. She needed medication. Her daughter was also with her. It was getting late. The child complained of being hungry. The mother told her daughter that she would have to wait because all of her money was going to have to be used for her medication, etc. I handed her the RACK envelope. She took it and got on the elevator without opening it. The elevator quickly returned with the mother and her child. She had a very puzzled look on her face. I told her to get some food for her and her child and use whatever was left as she needed. She started to cry and said that she had never received anything like that. She put the business card in her date book, next to her child's picture. She hugged me. I told her that it wasn't from me; but from our church and was a gift. She thanked me again, and left. I have seen her periodically since then, and she smiles a special smile.

* * * * *

I learned of a particular family that was very much in need at Christmas. After three robberies while on the job, the mom currently is not working. Both she and her husband have medical problems. The only income they now have is her husband’s and they have two little girls, one school age and the other a pre-schooler. So on the Wednesday night before Christmas, I gave her the envelope and told her that it was a gift for her and her family. (I was shaking in my shoes as I gave her the envelope.) I know, though, that the money was greatly appreciated and used for their needs and giving it away brought joy to me and glorified God. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to understand just how truly blessed I am.

I was shopping at a clothing store. At checkout there was a Mom and she had several small children with her. Her buggy contained children’s clothes, bath items and shoes. She was searching through her pocket book for additional money since she had looked through her wallet and that wasn’t successful in finding enough money to cover the amount listed on the register. She then started looked at what she could take out of the cart. As she was evaluating each item for need or what ever, I walked over handed her an envelope, said Merry Christmas and walked away. What a feeling it left me with. So simple of an act, but so powerful on several levels.

While paying our water bill an elderly man in front of me was asking the teller if he could pay part now and part later because he was on a fixed income. I stepped up & gave him the envelope. The man came up to thank me in the parking lot. He explained that he had had some unexpected expenditures. He said he had prayed about it and knew the money would come somehow. I shook them man's hand and agreed with him that God provides.
At that point, I realized that I was actually used by God to answer a prayer. What an incredible feeling.
 

* * * * *

Last night I was in CVS waiting on an Rx to be filled. While I was sitting there an elderly woman was at the window talking to the pharmacist. She needed her medication as well as medication for her granddaughter. From what I could hear, the baby was in University Hospital and was due to come home but she wouldn't be released unless the medication she needed was filled. So the lady was willing to get half of her medication so she could afford the baby's Rx.
I wasn't for sure how I would be able to hand her the envelope because I was still waiting on my Rx. Well, at exactly that moment my name was called. As I picked up my Rx, I handed the lady the envelope and told her to have a nice evening and left.
I'm not sure how much I helped but I know every little bit does help. It felt good to help someone in need.
 

* * * * *

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 lady 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 its 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 every day basis, much less be able to afford such an expensive holiday.
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 RACK envelope. This is possibly the most powerful conversation that I have ever had with a complete stranger. Thank you Wesley for such a rewarding mission! 

* * * * *

Hardee’s
Today while I was in Hardee’s the customer in front of me was given the wrong change by the cashier. After giving the customer his change, the cashier chose to leave the register and assist at the drive thru window leaving another cashier to fill the order. The customer told the second cashier that he was given change for $10.00, but he had given the first cashier $20.00. I’m pretty sure he was right because it was someone I’ve known a long time. The second cashier told the first cashier about the problem and she replied she would be right there. A minute went by and she continued to work the window and fill orders ignoring the customer and the second cashier. By this time the customer and the two men behind him were getting aggravated. He told the first cashier he was still waiting for her to correct his change. She turned to the second cashier and said all you have to do is give him the money. I could tell the second cashier was embarrassed about the whole incident. She the customer the $10.00 he was owed. Some negative comments were made by the customer as he walked away. When I stepped up to place my order, the second cashier said she was worried about coming up short in her register and could not pay it back. I felt she needed a Random Act of Kindness so I went out to my car and got my RACK envelope and gave it to her. As I walked away, I had the opportunity to turn back as she opened the envelope. A huge smile on her face as she read the card.

* * * * *

RACK Ministry Continues to Spread Kindness Through Evans Community
In 2003 an exciting new ministry was launched into the life of Wesley. The ministry is known as RACK (Random Acts of Christian Kindness). We are happy to announce that we will continue this ministry again in 2006. Through a generous donation, every Wesley member will be equipped to act as agents of Christ by being prepared to offer a small gift to a person in need when we encounter them in our daily lives.

Also, Wesley has received an additional donation to “seed” this program in other churches. The goal is to spread the experience of grace and giving as widely as possible. Here are some of our stories. Check here regularly to see what God is doing through the RACK ministry. The newest stories are on top....