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Random Acts of Kindness

December 2006

Sherry stood in church on Sunday, to say she had had a call from her daughter, Ginny who was near her Mothers’ home when she called to say that she may have found her RACK recipients. Ginny picked up Sherry as they were on their way to the Dr. for the baby’s weekly blood test. (This little guy will be 2 in Jan. ’07 and in May this yr. was diagnosed with an auto immune deficiency disease which caused his blood count to fall dangerously low. He has had 7 blood transfusions and 8 hospitalizations due to this illness. Naturally, the family has been very consumed with the recovery of their only grandson.)  Ginny drove them past Thomson Elementary school  (which is in a residential area and not on a main street) She pointed out a man and a woman sitting on the curb in the rain and cool weather. They stopped and asked if they could help in any way. The man explained that they were waiting for another man to pick up him up to work cutting trees. He said he was very anxious to work. They also said they needed just $3 to be able to fill a prescription. Ginny and Sherry both felt led of the Lord to share their RACK envelopes with this couple. Sherry said “two of us and two of them.” They both felt this was definitely God’s plan for their RACK envelope. Later their day turned to real joy when the baby’s blood count was reported at 188,000, which is within normal limits. The previous week’s count had been 25,000 and they had expected to spend Christmas in the hospital as he received more transfusions. They said these were both Christmas Miracles.

* * * * *

Sharon also shared last Sunday. She is a 65 yr. old lady who recently became very disabled due to a deteriorated hip. She was unable to walk and was hospitalized for about 3 wks. After setting a date for hip replacement surgery she went home to return in 2 wks. for the actual surgery. After surgery, which was very taxing for her due to dialysis and other medical complications she was at Walton Rehabilitation for about 3 wks. She has made a great recovery and walks with the aid of a walker. Before her return home from the first hospitalization 2 members of the church went to her home and built a very elaborate and expensive wheelchair ramp with a turn in it to facilitate the height/incline of the front porch. It took the 3 men 2 days to build it. She also was able to secure housekeeping help in her home which has been a wonderful advantage for her and an invaluable resource. She has come to love and greatly appreciate her housekeeper. She asked her housekeeper about her Christmas plans to which the housekeeper replied there was no money for Christmas at her house. Sharon knew immediately that her RACK money was for this lady. She felt RACK could buy Christmas dinner for the family. She was happy to give the money to the housekeeper.

* * * * *

John told us about a lady who he has known a long time that recently lost her job at Wal-Mart due to a stroke. He told us he knew she had not begun to receive disability as of yet. He took the RACK envelope to her but not without first matching the amount in the envelope. He said it was the right thing to do and he was glad he could match it. I believe his example of matching on his own was a wonderful witness to others. I pray that his example of matching will catch on in our congregation among those able to do so. GOD IS GOOD.

* * * * *

Vivian is a very nice 74 yr. old lady who lives near the church and is a regular attendee. Her daughter lives with her and both have medical issues. This past yr. Vivian lost her dear son to cancer. Royce was cared for by his sister and Mother in the home prior to hospitalization for terminal cancer.

Vivian related this Sunday that she had prayed about her RACK. As usual she met her sisters for breakfast at a local Thomson café. She noticed a young man walking across the parking lot from the window near where she was seated. She said that she prayed again and asked God to reveal to her if this was the one she was to share RACK with. She prayed that if he was the one that God chose that he would still be there when she left the café. Upon leaving however, she went in a direction that she does not usually take. And there sitting on the curb was the young man with his suitcase. She stopped to talk to him and found out he was on his way to see his Mother. She could see that he needed help. He was very polite and courteous to Vivian and she enjoyed talking to him. She felt led to share her RACK envelope with the young man. She was very certain that God had led her to him and that her prayers were answered.  Being on fixed income and with many health issues which require much of her income she was especially blessed to think God had used her to help a young man travel to see his Mother.

* * * * *

Arlene is a clerk at a local school. She said that from the moment she prayed at the altar her hearts desire was to give the RACK to someone she knows and someone who she knew would use the RACK wisely. She says that she was led, after more prayer to give the RACK envelope to a custodian at her school. She said she gave the envelope to Roxie saying “don’t look at the envelope until after you leave school.” Roxie put the envelope into her pocket and agreed. Arlene said that every time she saw Roxie the remainder of the day she had a big smile on her face.
I asked Arlene to come back and tell me if Roxie shares what she did with the RACK envelope.

September 2006

RACK is such a wonderful feeling!!!

Late this afternoon I needed to run to the grocery store to pick up a couple of things I'd failed to get earlier in the day. Ironically, I wasn't irritated by the necessity. As I entered the check-out area I was 3rd in line. There was a delay with the customer being serviced. Soon I realized the cashier was helping this elderly woman return items, one or two at a time, so that the money she had would cover the bill. I quickly went for my RACK envelop and passed it to the cashier, saying "Don't have her do that". She opened it, looked inquisitively (I had a mini-panic that the money wasn't there!), then found the $20 bill and gave it and the card to the lady, saying something like "here is money for your groceries, from that lady". The lady turned around and said, "Oh, my, God Bless you." She said it two or three times during the process of 'unvoiding' her purchases. Then, bless her heart, when the cashier gave her the change, asked about what to do with it. The cashier assured her it was hers. I got blessed again.
Thank you, so very much, to the person who thought of and helps carry on this ministry.
I can't wait to stuff another envelope!

August 2006

We don't know each other, but my husband and I would like to say thank you.
 
Last month, one of your young men came with a group of campers to our home and helped us out.
Our home needed painting badly, but my husband was unable to do anything due to back surgery, and I can't do that kind of work because I have Asthma, and I am kept busy trying to do all the other things that need to be done while he is healing.
 
Derek Tanner was among the group who came to help us out, and we wish to let you know what a wonderful young man you have in your youth group. It was a pleasure meeting him and getting to know him somewhat. Derek is a hard working young man, and all of you should be proud to be part of that as I am sure all of you there have helped to teach him the things of Christ.
 
We also wish to thank you for the love offering. Derek handed me an envelope one day and said that your congregation wanted us to have it. I was surprised when I opened it up to find one of your cards and $20. It truly was a blessing as we needed it to help out at the time. God is always on time and never ceases to amaze us of how He works.
 
Continue in the work Christ has for you.
 
You and your congregation shall be in our prayers.
Again, thank you and may God Bless You All.
Jackie and Phyllis Nelson
Grover, North Carolina
 

June 2006

I was driving from Peoria, IL back to Augusta on R # 24 in Western KY @ about 9:30 AM. After getting off the interstate for gas and starting back up the ramp I saw a hitchhiker. He was 50ish, bald and stocky, and smiling. He was wearing a backpack and carrying a gunny sack. I picked him up and he told me he was a born again Christian on the way to Southern AL for a convention.
When I asked him when he had last eaten he said that while riding with a man and his wife yesterday, they had given him a bag of chips and a coke. He went on to say that the only family he had was the group of friends he was meeting in Alabama. When I stopped at the bottom of the off ramp to let him out, I gave him a RACK envelope. After profuse thanks, he got out, knelt on the road, put his elbows on the front seat, folded his hands and gave me a prayer of thanks. He was obviously quite intelligent as he kept calling me “This Young Man”.
 

April 2006

When this ministry first began at Shepherd of the Hills, one of the people that work for me immediately came to my mind. I dismissed that thought because I thought I would have an opportunity to give it to a stranger. I'm not sure why I thought it had to be a stranger, but there you go.

Anyway, over the last few weeks since we received our envelopes, I fully expected to see one of the homeless people that I see everyday because I work in Atlanta. I have not seen a single one. I then thought I would see someone in the grocery store that God would lead me to give the envelope to, but that did not happen either.

In the meantime, this lady that works for me is taking care of her very ill father, her mother, who is divorced from her father and lives alone, had a stroke, her fiancé had a heart attack, while on the phone with her, and her son spent a weekend in jail due to a clerical error at the DMV. This week she was told that they
have figured out what is wrong with her father, he has leukemia and it is in his bone marrow.

I gave her the envelope yesterday. I explained the ministry and that even though she is a Christian and knows God loves her, I thought she may need to hear it right now. She was so grateful and was tearful. She said she was wondering how she was going to pay parking at the hospital the next day.

I'm not sure why I was so sure that it had to be a stranger but I'm glad I finally listened to God! I'm looking for my next opportunity!"

* * * * *

Yesterday my four year old and I had a "girlie' day filled with fun. The day was packed with a trip to the nail salon, lunch and trips to our favorite stores. In a local shoe store there was a GREAT sale on children's shoes! We were excited to find several pair to fit my daughter. There would be shoes for church, shoes for school and of course... flip flops! As we joyfully shopped I could not help but notice the mother next to me and her 4 polite children as they carefully reviewed the shoes and the prices. I could not help but hear the mother quietly ask the clerk to please  figure the total with all of the discounts and sales. I could not help but hear her explain to 2 children that they would have to wait until next time. I could not help but notice the holes in their worn shoes. I could not help but see a tear roll down one child's cheek. I myself could not speak as I quietly opened my purse and handed my rack envelope to the mother. As I looked into her puzzled face my heart began fill with love, prayer and thanksgiving. I know the money met a basic need but giving it provided so much more for me! Thanks be to God for this wonderful ministry and the blessing it provides to us all!

March 2006

A couple of months ago, we read an article about a group of grade school kids in Florida who were trying to raise money for a class trip to Williamsburg, VA and Washington, D.C. The problem was that the only fundraiser available through the school was to sell potato chips and chocolate. These kids had just learned in health class how bad junk food is for you, so they refused to sell the chips and chocolate even though it meant that they would not have enough money to go on their trip. The kids didn't think it made any sense to teach them one thing and then ask them to behave in another way. We thought that they were smart, brave kids for standing up for themselves and for what was right. We sent our RACK envelope along with an additional donation to the attention of their teacher. We just received a letter this week that because of support from people like us, the kids now have enough money for both of their trips. They received letters, emails, donations and fundraising ideas from people all over the country. The teacher thanked all of us for the message we sent to the kids: "People who do not even know them, care about them and applaud their decision. That is the greatest part of all! Thank you for validating our students for making a principled decision." That is just the greatest feeling for us, too. Thank you Wesley for bringing this to our lives!