Client #33: This is what courage looks like.
For reasons of privacy and security, our client’s face, name and specific details are withheld from her story.
On a gloriously warm winter morning in front of Woodcreek Church, we were eager to meet a young mother we had learned so much about leading up to this day. Her story was brimming with resolve and personal sacrifice, in fact one of our volunteers who interviewed her summarized her interview notes with these words:
“She is so strong!”
Through the basic, yet fluent English she’s learned in the past year, “Bella” told us that morning of leaving her home because “women don’t have rights” in her country. Through great difficulty, she fled her dangerous situation for the sake of the child she was carrying in her womb and made her way legally to the United States.
Once in Texas, Bella resolutely figured out how to navigate the medical system to have her child, surround herself with a supportive community, find stable housing and a job, get around using public transportation, utilize free resources to learn English and other job skills, and manage her finances. In her nomination, Bella’s advocate said this about her: “I recognize that she is already quite independent and self-sufficient, managing her responsibilities with impressive capability.”
Though it’s obvious that Bella would eventually solve the transportation piece herself, she is exactly the kind of person we love to support with a hand-up! Bella is already talking about looking for opportunities to help others in her situation, and we have no doubt she will follow through with her goals. By the time we were giving her a vehicle, she had a new announcement for us: she was now enrolled in a program to become a teacher! Our gift of a vehicle didn’t start her down the path she’s on, but it will hopefully make things so much easier for her.
“Her greatest strength lies in her unwavering perseverance.
Despite the obstacles she faces, she remains focused on personal growth and self-improvement, continually seeking ways to improve her skills and provide for her family. Her ability to face challenges head-on while maintaining a positive outlook is truly inspiring.”
Would you pause and pray for Bella? You could pray for her that God would protect her and her family as she bears the weight of being the sole provider; that additional people would be moved to come alongside her and act on her behalf; that she would recognize God’s hand of love and provision. And/or ask for what you wish for her good.
Amen.
