Special Eight-Week Series:
Calm in the Storm
Navigating rough waters in faith
Week 8: Generosity in the Storm
by, Shannon Schafer, Operations Director
As a member of the Operations Team at Mission Adelante, I normally don’t write Adelante Express articles. After all, who really wants to read about bookkeeping or building maintenance? But during the past few months of uncertainty and need caused by COVID-19, one of my responsibilities, fulfilling approved benevolence requests, has dominated a significant portion of my time. As Jarrett Meek, our Executive Director, reported a few weeks ago, 85% of immigrant families that we surveyed have lost income due to the shut-down. As of the writing of this article, Mission Adelante has assisted 35 families from our community pay at least one bill and over 100 families buy food. But the great need in our community is not the focus of this article. The reason I am writing is to highlight the amazing generosity that I have witnessed.
The generosity that I have seen over the past couple months reminds me of the Macedonian church that the Apostle Paul writes about in 2 Corinthians 8: 2-3:
“In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own.”
COVID-19 has been a trial for everyone, affecting some more severely than others. But the pandemic has also been an opportunity for partners and community members to demonstrate the love of Christ as they turn outward instead of just inward- giving generously to help others even as they deal with their own circumstances and fears.
As of today, donors have given just over $45,000 to our benevolence fund with the specific desire to help our community make it through this storm! In addition, several families and community groups have purchased and delivered food baskets for us to give out. Without this support from our partners, Mission Adelante would not be in a position to help so many families with their physical needs.
In the past couple of months, I have also witnessed or heard from staff how community members are giving of themselves to help their neighbors. The following is a taste of what is going on in our community:
One of our ESL students has been out of work due to COVID-19. We helped her with some bills and offered to bring her a food basket. She requested a few extra food baskets to give to neighbors and friends in need. She ended up giving out ALL of the baskets, not keeping anything for herself.
We have helped various families pay their rent. We have asked landlords to accept 80% of the normal rent payment that we pay directly to them. Most of the landlords have agreed with little hesitation, stating their desire to help their tenants as much as possible.
Mission Adelante staff made calls to all of our current participants a few weeks ago, letting families know about resources we could offer like a gift card for groceries. While many of our families gratefully accepted, 28 of the families we contacted turned down the assistance, many of them saying that it should be used for those with greater needs. One of our ESL students even asked how he could donate to Mission Adelante.
Other community members have been caring for their neighbors by bringing food to others. One of our ESL students/Arts Community volunteers brought homemade cookies to different families in our neighborhood (I was one lucky recipient). My foster daughter, who loves to cook, asked if she could make tamales and other food that we have delivered to community members. Our church community has also rallied around a local family, providing dinners for them.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been and continues to be a great trial. But we serve an even greater God. And I am thankful for all the ways that He is working through His people. Our partners and community members are truly putting their faith into action through their generosity to their neighbors.
