It was one of the craziest days I’ve seen. As I’m sure you can imagine, in this role of Interim Director, I see some busy and needy days.
A Friday chock-full of uncertainty, wondering what would be the result.
There were multiple factors that I won’t bore you with, but everyone needed something and I felt that needs were coming towards me at the speed of light.
People were asking me for answers, they were not returning my calls about urgent matters, there were multiple viewpoints on how to handle various scenarios.
I was also attempting to help a new family enter our program and move in, through several steps that had to be taken first that day.
Midway through the afternoon, I was exhausted and ready to go home. I was tired of the whole thing and could not believe a Friday could be this hard. I was wondering what in the world this could all accomplish, and why can’t people follow through (the way I would)??
And then the kids showed up.
Five sweet and kind young people got off the school bus at our door, and everything changed. They entered with a sense of awe and astonishment, and they were excited to tour the Day House.
In a big family, you might expect kids to be loud or crazy, but these kids calmly looked around. In the children’s room, they got right to work looking at toys, perusing books, and generally entertaining themselves.
Suddenly, everything was fine.
All the stress of the day, all the angst of uncertainty, still remained but somehow it seemed like the world was getting set right. You might say the Kingdom of God came right there in that living room.
These kids, relieved to BE somewhere, relieved to have a safe place away from a traumatic situation, are loved and cherished by our program and our Family Promise extended family.
Not every family completes our program and some harness resources in different ways, but we can guarantee that every single one of them is loved and cared for while they are with us. You make this happen when you cook a meal, drive a van, stay overnight, and offer friendship.
This is why we do this. This makes it all worthwhile.
If you haven’t volunteered in a while or wonder if our work is worth all the logistics and planning and flexing, please, show up at your congregation’s host week or come see us at the Day House, and meet the kids. You will not have any more questions.
Katy Penner is our Interim Director and Board PR Chair.
Family Promise of Greater Wichita unites hearts and hands to provide compassionate hospitality and empower homeless families with children to achieve sustainable independence. We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. All donations are tax-deductible.
