8.4.09

Made a follow-up call today to a family whose name came to us from the Martha O’Bryan Center. They have just arrived in Nashville from St. Louis and have moved into the Cayce housing project. The call was to see if Otter Creek’s furniture ministry might be able to help get them a few things they indicated they needed. As is our custom, I made a phone call and arranged to stop by their apartment to meet them and to check out what all they needed.
I noticed the temperature on my car’s outside thermometer was 94 when I parked outside the apartment. As I walked to the door I noticed I heard a baby crying through the open window. I knocked on the door and was greeted by the woman and her husband. They welcomed me into a completely empty living room except for a baby crib sitting in the middle of the room with a fan blowing towards it. I walked over to see a beautiful 4 month old baby boy with one of the cutest smiles I had seen in a few days (excuse the bragging, but my 3 month old granddaughter has been visiting us for the past few days). There were no lights on in the apartment, but the temperature was at least 80.

We chatted for a while as I walked around their apartment. They already had a kitchen table and chairs, a microwave, a few plates, cups and utensils and a few pots and pans. That was it. Seems they had not been able to find work in St. Louis so the decided to come to Nashville. They tell me they don’t know anyone. We talked about what furniture they needed and the timing for us to be able to bring it by.

As I was getting ready to leave I walked by the baby’s crib and couldn’t help but think about my granddaughter and all the opportunities she has in front of her. These parents were doing all they could to provide for their child. When he could find it the father was working temporary day labor. He said that he normally would make $40-$45 per day after a hard 8 hours of work. His background is a chef, but he hasn’t been able to find anything. I asked if they had formula for the baby and the mom was quick to tell me that as long as she had anything available that the baby would be cared for.

I asked the father to walk out to the car with me and handed him an air conditioner. As I handed it to him he started thanking me and thanking God. He said they had been praying for some way to be able to get an air conditioner but didn’t know how it would happen. As we walked back into the house carrying the A/C the mom started thanking God as well. We spent a few minutes setting up the A/C and then I got the enjoyment of seeing them roll the crib in front of the A/C as the baby got to cool off.

I invited them to Sunday’s Joyful Noise service at Martha O’Bryan. They’ve indicated they’ll be there. Thanks to the members at Otter Creek who help support the benevolence ministry – both through their regular contributions and through special gifts like A/C’s. I almost feel guilty that I get the pleasure of seeing those gifts being put to work.