Families Valued

     Six months ago Angelica and Jeff were excitedly planning their wedding and dreaming of starting a family. They had no idea how quickly their plans would change. Following their wedding they traveled to Florida to visit family. What they found has changed their lives. Angelica's five brothers and sisters, they discovered, were abandoned and left to fend for themselves on the streets. Angelica and Jeff immediately obtained custody of Julia, age 3, Justin, age 5, John, age 6, and Jessica, age 11. Tiffany, age 9, is now living with her grandmother.
     These newlyweds are now custodial parents of four. Their small apartment and small income are inadequate to support the new additions. Jeff was in training for employment at Whirlpool, but he failed the eye exam. The financial problems this caused brought them to Restore Hope. They requested some help with food and clothing, they needed much more. That first day they were assisted with food, clothes for the children, some bedding, and a few used toys. A good beginning, but a small step on our part compared to the giant leap they took as caring young adults.
     Angelica and Jeff have acted on the values we so easily espouse. They have not only put their plans on hold but have taken on a lifetime of responsibilities. They feel they did the right thing. Splitting the children up into several foster homes was, according to Jeff, not an option. Now it is time for the Church and the community to live up to what we say we value. We are now involved in the lives of these two courageous young adults. They are known and their needs are known. The Bible guides us to our proper response: "What if a person has enough money to live on and sees someone in need of food and clothing? If they do not help, how can the love of God be in them? My children, let us not love with words or in talk only. Let us love by what we do and in truth. This is how we know we are Christians." (1 John 3:17-19 NLV)
     Angelica and Jeff are working with us to get into adequate housing, employment, and counseling for the children. They need many things. They need us. They need support. They need the outpouring of God's love. And we need them. Their lives have challenged and inspired us.