Empowerment - Torey

Last week we received a call from a homeless woman, Mary, who had been referred to us by a long-time friend of ours that lives in a motel. Mary, a single mother of a nine-year-old boy, had an upcoming interview with a housing program that could provide her with a place to stay and was hoping to be put up in a room for a night or two in order to prepare for the interview. Our friend met her at the motel office and gave her our number. We were able to arrange a room at the motel for her and also let her know that some of us would visit her. Eva and I dropped by her room on Sunday to encourage her in her efforts, and that was a good thing, but it’s not what I want to focus on now.

The thing that made the biggest impression on me that day was the brief visit with our friend who had referred Mary to us. For the past 2 and a half years our relationship has primarily consisted of visiting with her, getting to know her better, and bringing her groceries and other essentials now and then. Over that period of time we’ve made her laugh, smile, and even cry once or twice when we’ve left. This time, when I thanked her for doing the good work of helping Mary, she glowed. I had never seen her look so pleased and confident. Of all the things we have brought her and the kind words we have said, by far the most meaningful thing we’ve done for her was providing her the opportunity to help someone.