Living in Contra Costa County

The Kindness Project - Some Stories Part 4

Some of you might know that about a year ago I won a contest for a Kodak Printer on what I would do with $220.00 in Saving.

Here is the Post that won the contest.  Some other things I have posted on this are at the Kindness Project.  

One of the people who I sent 30 Dollars to is my cousin Robin who is a Pastor of a small church in Oklahoma.  I have not seen Robin in about 36 years and just last year I connected with him via e-mail.

Him and his wife Renee sent me 3 stories.  Here 3rd of the 3:

(For this story I have changed the names and censored the tribal name.)

The other situation has to do with the son of an employee Renee supervises.  Renee’s employee is named Debbie and she is a xxxxx Native American.  Renee has been at the crisis center since 1988 and has supervised this woman for most of that time. 

When Debbie came on board she was a recovering alcoholic with two children, a son Austin, and a daughter Susan.  Debbie has been a constant and consistent employee and is a believer, but her life has been very difficult and tragic. 

Susan had two children, but also had acute kidney failure and died about four or five years ago.  Debbie has raised Susan’s children as her own. 

Austin, has two kids, but a few months ago his wife left him with the small kids.  Austin is in his late 30s or perhaps around 40 years old.  About the time his wife left him he noticed a lump in his thigh, but ignored it as he thought it was just a cyst.  He had too much going on at the time. 

About a month ago it began hurting badly and he went to the doctor and it was determined to be a malignant cancer.  They removed the tumor which was about the size of one of those small toy footballs.  He is now undergoing chemo and radiation therapy. 

Debbie is worried sick.  We got a card for Austin that has a picture of an eagle on the front and then the quote from Isaiah where it says, “They that wait upon the Lord shall mount up with wings  like eagles…  Renee got him a Braum’s gift card (Braums is a local ice cream/fast food/grocery chain that is very good and very popular) and we assured him of our concern and prayers.

These are just small acts and in and of themselves will not relief the burdens these people are under.  But knowing people care gives hope, and hope gives strength.   

The Kindness Project - Some Stories Part 3

Some of you might know that about a year ago I won a contest for a Kodak Printer on what I would do with $220.00 in Saving.

Here is the Post that won the contest.  Some other things I have posted on this are at the Kindness Project.  

One of the people who I sent 30 Dollars to is my cousin Robin who is a Pastor of a small church in Oklahoma.  I have not seen Robin in about 36 years and just last year I connected with him via e-mail.

He has sent me 3 stories.  Here 2nd of the 3:

A co-worker of Renee’s named Rose has had and is having a very difficult life.  She is a Christian, but she is married to a Muslim. 

Her husband’s health is very fragile and she is the only wage earner.  He is on dialysis and is on a kidney transplant list. 

She has had heartbreaking situations over the past five years as two of her sons in separate incidents were killed in drive by shootings.  Though she denies it, they were likely involved in gang activity. 

Of recent something happened with their mortgage and they are being forced to move.  She has not located a new home yet and is under a lot of financial and other stress regarding that.  Further, yesterday, her daughter was driving her car which only had liability insurance, and totaled it in an accident. 

She was pretty distress and Renee’ had been trying to encourage her.  Renee’ told me that Rose gets a doughnut and a cup of coffee every day from a 7/11 convenience store.  We got her a card that has the verse from Joshua that says, “I know the plans I have for you…” assured her of our concern and prayers and Renee is getting her a 7/11 gift card just to cheer her up. 

I recieved this update the other day.

. .. . .one of the ladies thanked us profusely and said she would be having her cup of coffee and doughnut every day for a week.

These are just small acts of Kindness.  They are not going to totally lift anyone out of their circumstances, but small acts of kindness can add value and bring hope.

The Kindness Project - Some Stories Part 2

Some of you might know that about a year ago I won a contest for a Kodak Printer on what I would do with $220.00 in Saving.

Here is the Post that won the contest.  Some other things I have posted on this are at the Kindness Project.  

One of the people who I sent 30 Dollars to is my cousin Robin who is a Pastor of a small church in Oklahoma.  I have not seen Robin in about 36 years and just last year I connected with him via e-mail.

He has sent me 3 stories.  Here is one of them:

Renee and I have talked a lot about what we wanted to do to bless some people.  We regularly do different things for different people with our congregation, but I told Renee that I wanted to do something a little more diverse, for people a little more on the outer fringe of our associations.

Just wanted to give you a preliminary report.  After much thought and discussion with my wife we did these three things:

We gave flowers and a card to a lady named Lola Grasz who I visit regularly as pastor.  Lola is 92 years old, and she and her husband used to attend our church some.  He passed away about five years ago and she lives alone.  She is very alert and conversant and was quite pleased and surprised at the flowers.  I told her that we just wanted her to know we appreciated her and her support and involvement she had had in the church.  She was very cheerful during the visit and had me go get a vase for her flowers.  I think it made her evening.