Feeling the effects
As alternates, we fill our Maintenance days with seemingly random, but important work. One of my designated responsibilities is shopping. I am in charge of purchasing in bulk from Sams. One of those items being toilet paper.
It seemed easy enough when I took it on. Do inventory, order online, pick it up the next day. Not a problem. But, then the great toilet paper shortage hit and suddenly I had a whole campus running out of toilet paper and none to be found in the stores. I never thought I would be so stressed over such a simple thing. Ha.
Anyway, thankfully, some finally shipped and that crisis is temporarily averted.
We are now hitting the real difficulties associated with the Corona virus. We can no longer take residents off campus and even if we could, there is no where fun open to take them. Last night we told the residents that they would no longer get on-campus visits with family (and most likely off campus passes as well).
I think, since my days since college, working as a case worker, in adoption, and now here at Gateway, the thing that I have always know but continue to learn is that the bond of biological family is unbreakable. Kids may come from backgrounds we can only imagine, and we can give them all of the love and stability, but they will always want to go back to their family. Our residents are hurting. They have just been told they will not see their family for an unknown amount of time. As we sat with them, trying in my pathetic way to give them sort of comfort or empathy, I couldn't help but think how unbearable a burden that must be without Jesus. Our residents need your prayers.
Yet, in the midst of all of the closing down, Sunday was a perfect example of redemption.
Church was canceled so campus gathered in the gym for impromptu services. Nathan gave one of his old Bible class lessons.
After "church" some of the residents asked Nathan if he would read the Bible with them. So they did.
It seemed easy enough when I took it on. Do inventory, order online, pick it up the next day. Not a problem. But, then the great toilet paper shortage hit and suddenly I had a whole campus running out of toilet paper and none to be found in the stores. I never thought I would be so stressed over such a simple thing. Ha.
Anyway, thankfully, some finally shipped and that crisis is temporarily averted.
We are now hitting the real difficulties associated with the Corona virus. We can no longer take residents off campus and even if we could, there is no where fun open to take them. Last night we told the residents that they would no longer get on-campus visits with family (and most likely off campus passes as well).
I think, since my days since college, working as a case worker, in adoption, and now here at Gateway, the thing that I have always know but continue to learn is that the bond of biological family is unbreakable. Kids may come from backgrounds we can only imagine, and we can give them all of the love and stability, but they will always want to go back to their family. Our residents are hurting. They have just been told they will not see their family for an unknown amount of time. As we sat with them, trying in my pathetic way to give them sort of comfort or empathy, I couldn't help but think how unbearable a burden that must be without Jesus. Our residents need your prayers.
Yet, in the midst of all of the closing down, Sunday was a perfect example of redemption.
After "church" some of the residents asked Nathan if he would read the Bible with them. So they did.
They read together and asked questions. They read more after lunch. At bedtime I asked if they wanted to do a devotion. They did. And they asked more questions.
"have you felt God in the hard times?"
"How can I trust God?"
"I'm scared I'll go back to my old life"
"How do you hear God speak to you?"
They are battling over fear and worry, temptation and sin. They are trying to be good on their own and failing. Trying to make it through their pain on their own and failing. And they are wanting to believe that God is good when all of their life Satan has told them lies. I just hope when the fears die away and the intensity calms down they still desire truth and peace this much.
So, even while our kids have been rotten little beasts (send help :) ha.) and the residents are all on edge. It's been good.
In Christ
~Michelle
I am sure this is very difficult for you but we will pray for more opportunities like you had on Sunday!
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