If only we had known vs. Once we knew

Last month, a single mom was struggling to pay the bills.  With five children in the home, this was nothing new.  Working hard to make sure there is a little money at the end of month is her normal.  Unfortunately, she doesn’t always win, and March was turning out to be a loser.  Specifically, the family’s $178 water bill was overdue.  If it didn’t get paid by midnight, they were going to shut her water off.  Already on the child welfare radar, no water in the home meant losing her kids.  Losing her kids meant losing her hope, her motivation to continue fighting for family, dignity, and future.  If only the Church had known, we could have helped…

Fortunately, here is how this true story actually went down:  Last month, a single mom was struggling, once again, to pay the bills.  With five children in the home, this was nothing new.  Working hard to make sure there is a little money at the end of month is her normal.  Unfortunately, she doesn’t always win, and March was turning out to be a loser.  Specifically, the family’s $178 water bill was overdue.  If it didn’t get paid by midnight, they were going to shut her water off.  Already on the child welfare radar, no water in the home meant losing her kids.  Not wanting that to happen, the Johnson County Child Welfare worker (Yes, you read that correctly. This is happening in the most affluent county in KS) entered this local need into The Care Portal.  Immediately an e-mail was sent to 18 local churches, who had previously said they wanted to know about local children and families in crisis.  Once they knew this story, they responded.

Four local churches from different denominations on both sides of the state line stepped forward.  The water bill was paid.  It wasn’t that hard for the Church. It was really huge for the family.  Is it over? Probably not.  Might she need more help in the future?  Quite possibly.  Given that, do we still celebrate the paid bill as a victory? Absolutely!

In response to any pessimistic pundits in the peanut gallery who might be grumbling about Band-Aids right now, here is our reply: a lady who started the day without answers, losing hope, and feeling alone, ended the day with a burden removed, feeling loved by the Church, and tucking her children into their own beds that night knowing they could wake up in the morning to warm showers and water to spare….all for $178 and a little time.  If you don’t want in on that, just stop reading.

The Care Portal is removing excuses.  Now we can know, and churches are responding.  This is just one story of 23 families whose needs were met by the local church in March and it’s growing.  More families are being helped each month!  To those churches who are engaging right now, thank you!  To those who haven’t joined the movement yet, we have just one question to ask: are you willing to receive an e-mail?

Please take four minutes to learn more about how The Care Portal is helping children and familes in need, and please contact us if your church is interested in serving with others in The Care Portal community here>>