Without a doubt, this was one of our sweetest donations ever. Sue serves as a cook at a local nursing home and works with the Memory Care Residents who suffer from Alzheimers or Dementia. My own grandfather, a kind and intelligent man, died of Alzheimers years ago, and seeing the toll this disease took on his mind and body gave me a deep appreciation for people like Sue who go out of their way to share Jesus’ compassion and joy with these residents. This is a calling that takes incredible grace.
Unfortunately, Sue’s vehicle broke down a few months ago despite all she’d invested to keep it running. When the transmission finally failed, it had to be scrapped, leaving Sue without transportation. She tried to use Uber to get to work, but it cost her $17 each way. If you take that out of her hourly wage, it meant that over 2 ½ hours of an 8 hour day were getting absorbed just by Uber! No one can afford that. So her director at the home, Katy, nominated her to OnRamp and we gladly accepted Sue into our program.
Here’s how Katy described Sue to us, “Her greatest strengths are her work ethic, positive attitude, love, respect and kindness that she shows for the Dementia and Alzheimer's residents that she cooks for. Sue can't afford to give to others, yet she does. She has purchased hair accessories, birthday balloons, cards, and other small gifts out of her own pocket. She lovingly prepares their meals and goes the extra mile to make sure the residents feel loved.” Can you imagine a more deserving client?!
I have difficulty describing in words the extent of joy I had on Friday to gift a low-mileage Toyota Yaris to this delightful woman! As Sue walked around the car and climbed inside, she exclaimed “Oh, snap!” at every feature. But it wasn’t the car itself that mattered so much… it was the freedom to work, to go to church, the doctor and the store. It was the freedom of having this massive source of worry - no transportation - solved so that Sue could return to focusing on the Memory Care residents she loves so much. I truly wish every one of you could have witnessed that moment with us. I don’t believe I ever preached a sermon more powerful than seeing the joy and gratitude on this woman’s face for what God had provided.
One last joyful note: my mom, Diane Jennings, is helping to lead our new OnRamp Prayer Team to pray monthly for former clients. She attended this donation and it brought back memories of her dad, my grandfather who suffered with Alzheimers. To get to pray for a woman like Sue who is on the frontlines of caring for these patients made my mom’s day. If you or someone you know wants to dedicate a few hours a week to calling and praying for OnRamp clients, please let me know.