Perhaps some of you remember that a family in
our church - Amy &
Michael Main - has had a family from New Orleans living with
them since the hurricane. I know the Katrina stories aren't making headlines
anymore, but I assure you that the people who were affected by hurricane Katrina
are still trying to put their lives together. Michael has written a lot about
the six months that the Gomez family have lived with them. There were good times
and hard times. Lots of adjustments, certainly. You can read my own entries
about this
here.
RLP readers donated approximately $3000 to help Katrina victims and the Gomez family in particular. Your gifts made it possible for Amy and Michael to host
this family without it being too much of a financial burden on them. Thank you for
that.
Now our church is celebrating with the Gomez
family, for they have
moved into their own apartment. We found them an
affordable place right on the bus line as it runs through our part of the town. Our
church threw them a shower to help outfit their apartment with some of the
things they will need. I have $400 left of your money. I'm combining it with a
gift of $2000 from the First Baptist Church of Athens, Texas to supplement their
rent at $200 a month for the first year. After that, they will be on their own,
and we think they are ready.
I have one last request to make of you. Lee
Gomez is a single mother, working and attending classes at the University of
Texas in San Antonio. Her daughter Anna is trying to go to college herself. They
need a computer for school. We are
trying to put together about $500 to buy an inexpensive computer for them. We have a
monitor and keyboard and all of that.
If you didn't get a chance to help the first
time around, you can easily donate money to help the Gomez family get a
computer. Just hit the button and donate.
If by any chance more money than we need for
the computer comes in, we will use it to purchase some other things they need.
For example, not everyone has a bed yet.
Friends of Mine Who Have Asked for Prayers
In the early 90s I did a weekend Bible study
retreat, along with a lot of other ministers, at a church in Plano, Texas. In my
group was a delightful 8th grade girl named Sarah. She was absolutely precious
and we became friends. I went back the next year to lead her 9th grade group.
After that I
saw her at youth camps and here and there over the years. Somehow we've kept in touch all this
time. Sarah is married
now and is a teacher in Plano. Recently she and her
husband Scott had their first child. His name is Thomas. He's quite adorable, of
course. But recently they discovered that Thomas has a brain tumor. As you can imagine, Scott and Sarah are frightened, and all of us who
love them are staying in touch with them and praying with them.
Sarah asked me to let you know that if you are
the praying sort, they would love for you to
drop by their blog. If you would include
Sarah and Scott and little Thomas in your prayers, we would be grateful.
rlp
