We recently hosted our first 2017 SPIHN. I am always grateful for the experience to have these families at our church. It helps me to remember how much we need each other and what a blessing it is to give.
SPIHN is basically a homeless shelter that works to keep families together and keep costs low. It does that by housing families in churches for one week increments. The majority of the families are single moms working hard to make ends meet. There are usually moms in the program that have children close to my little boys age. It is so interesting to hear their stories, struggles, and reality. These are not dead-beat moms who can't get it together, they are moms just like me who are struggling to do the best they can for their family. However, for these moms the rug has been pulled out from under them. I can't imagine how difficult it would be to take my two year old to a new "home" week after week because we don't have a place of our own. I understand much more as a working mom the struggle that it can be to keep everything together. I am so grateful that I have my better half (my hubby) working by my side, but that is not a reality for all moms. I guess more than anything, SPIHN makes me realize how much we need each other as God's community of believers. We need to lift each other up, to offer a place to stay, to love on kids, to offer warm meals. This is not just for our friends it is for all. As we begin Lent, I want to continue to remember God's call to hospitality and love!
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Laura EstevezDirector of Outreach and Missions at the Episcopal Church of the Advent. Archives
June 2017
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