Jennifer is a mom and a volunteer with Love INC. Because only one of her children is in school, some volunteer work is not easy to do. If you have ever tried to take an important phone call or get office work done with a two-year-old bundle of energy around you will understand why. Nonetheless, Love INC is able to keep her as busy as she wants to be making deliveries of food and kitchen and bathroom baskets.
This past winter Jennifer went to the office to collect a gift basket to take to Aimee, a woman who was just leaving a shelter with her little one and moving into a place of her own. Even before Jennifer's act of care, Aimee had seen evidence of a God Who was looking out for her. Aimee's housing number had come up while she was in the shelter but she had no funds to pay for her deposit or rent. She was in danger of losing her spot on the list. But God provided two organizations who came up with the necessary funds for her deposit and first month's rent. Life was much brighter for Aimee than it had been a few months before when she had run away from an abusive relationship with nothing more than a backpack, a diaper bag and her child.
Now it was Jennifer's turn to be Christ's expression of His love. Jennifer had a homemade loaf of bread, hot and fragrant, to add to the basket of goodies she was delivering to Aimee's house. With basket and toddler in hand, Jennifer rang the doorbell of Aimee's new home. As Aimee opened the door, Jennifer was surprised by yet another odor. It was not so pleasant and quickly overtook the smell of the baked goods. Aimee's new place had a dripping sink and the house smelled strongly of mildew. Two men from Alaska Housing were there to fix the problem but it was clear that Aimee was not comfortable having them there by herself.
What began as a simple delivery, turned into a visit for Aimee and Jennifer as she stayed until the crew left. The children played and the moms talked. Jennifer prayed with her. Aimee loved the bread. She had never had homemade bread before. "She was so honest about what had happened and humble," Jennifer remembers. While Jennifer kept Aimee company she absorbed the reality of Aimee's living situation. She was alone with only a roof over her head. She was in a strange part of town and had no connections, no friends. Jennifer was amazed that she had nothing...a box of books, a pack 'n play for the baby. That was all. Jennifer looked around and saw no bed. She realized that Aimee was sleeping on a toddler mattress with a toddler blanket.
When she said goodbye to the young woman that day, Jennifer knew she had to do something. "I immediately bought baby locks so that she could child proof the house and a screwdriver. And an adult blanket." She called Love INC. "Can I find furniture and designate it for Aimee?" She asked. They told her yes. That night Jennifer got on Craig's List and again God did an amazing thing for Aimee.
Two blocks from where Jennifer lives a family had bought a house. Much to their surprise, when they went to move in, they found the former resident's furniture was still there. It had to go to make room for the new family. Jennifer wasted no time in contacting the new owners. She explained Aimee's situation and what she had in mind. Would the new owners be willing to give Jennifer the furniture? The reply was simple. If you can get it out of here, it is yours. Jennifer's husband, Chase, moved everything out: two couches, bed frame, bed, three end tables, a nightstand, lamps, bedding, even a television.
Jennifer was not done yet. She belonged to a Bible study group who was looking for a service project. Well, they certainly had one now! She called and everyone came. It was a family affair. They loaded up a truck and two minivans and caravanned off. Jennifer brought another loaf of bread. Aimee's little one played with all the kids. The men assembled the bed and they all put her house together. Then they prayed with her again. What a wonderful time for everyone. Jennifer was excited to be a part of this ministry to Aimee. As Jennifer and Aimee talked, Aimee made one thing very clear and it filled Jennifer's heart joy to hear it. Aimee told her that she knew all of this was a gift from God.
