Twenty-seven-year-old Elijah and his wife Rashanda are the busy and proud parents of Keearra (11), Elijah Allen (7), and Brittany (5).
Elijah worked as a Certified Nurses Aide (CNA), but when the nursing home which employed him closed, Elijah lost his job. He had also been going to school, working toward his Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) certification. Having to drop out of school, fulfill the student loan repayment obligation and maintain monthly expenses without a steady income created a serious problem for this family. They were faced with the reality of homelessness, and they came to the Mission’s FSHI program for help.
Cherry Hills Community Church members Wayne and Jane Pendley, Jack and Mary Rech, and Suzanne Walker stepped in and became the family’s mentor team. This energetic group creatively rallied together to raise the funds needed to provide the first and last month’s rent for the house the family moved into last July.
To raise the funds Suzanne appealed to co-workers at her corporation. Jane asked her friends, family and small group Bible study members to help contribute. And Jack decided to put his skills to work painting a friend’s house. They were successful, says Jane, and “it just all came together!”
In terms of other practical help, Elijah and Rashanda’s mentor team helped them procure furniture for their home. They have also helped them to better organize and control their finances, counseled with Elijah in his career decisions, and encouraged them to get their kids involved in extra-curricular activities.
“They take very good care of their children . . . they’re very well-behaved, nice kids. I can see they’ve spent a lot of time working with them,” says Jane with admiration. Mary agrees, “The children are so precious . . . their dad is very energetic, and their mom does a super job.”
Currently, Elijah is working part time as a geriatric CNA and going to school again full time to finish his LPN certification, which he’ll complete in eight more months. “It’s a difficult program, but he likes it—he always wanted to become a nurse. I’m one hundred percent behind him in this,” says Rashanda confidently. With affection in her voice she adds, “He’s a great dad, too.”
“It’s extremely admirable that Elijah is working and going to school full time,” says Mary proudly. Jane continues, “That’s what will make this family successful—they are a family, and they are all pulling together.”
A devoted mom, Rashanda actively volunteers at her children’s school throughout the academic year. This fall, when Brittany goes to school for a full day, it’s Rashanda’s turn for education. She plans to pursue either a cosmetology or massage therapy training program.
Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Psalm 127:1 |
“Elijah makes enough to get by, but there’s nothing left over,” says Jack. “His current salary just can’t really support five people.” All of the mentors applaud Elijah for his efforts to better his career and earning potential for his family.
“Our mentors are more like family to us, and they have really been our friends,” says Rashanda. Echoes Jack, “I think they needed our friendship even more than the material goods, and that’s what we’ve tried to emphasize in our relationship.”
“We’re blessed, and we keep moving forward. We have a stable household now, and being on track really makes us feel good,” Rashanda says gratefully.
Thank you Mission donors for your generous contributions! Your support of our programs helps people like Elijah and Rashanda provide stable, nurturing homes for their families. Thank you for giving them a place to come home to, and for empowering Elijah and Rashanda to continue working toward building a bright and hopeful future!
|
This past May, the Mission took 28 New Life Program residents to Juarez, Mexico, to work with Hands of Luke Medical Ministry, aiding children who are orphaned or victims of abuse or neglect. Some of the work residents accomplished included pouring two sidewalks; painting; installing ceramic tile, sheet rock, windows, doors, and joist caps; opening a 6' x 8' arch in an existing wall; re-routing electrical wires; digging a hole for a septic system; and serving food to homeless children and families in the surrounding area. It was an amazing experience these men will never forget.