Meet Jennifer: Faith more precious than gold
There were a few people already waiting outside the tax office when we arrived last Friday to give away our eighth vehicle.
We’ve done this a few times now, and there isn’t usually anyone else congregating outside the tax office, so I suspected they were there for our giveaway, but I didn’t know for sure until Jennifer arrived. It turns out these folks were from her church and were there to take part in something exceptional, something that drew one of the largest group we’ve ever had at a vehicle giveaway - and it wasn’t the gifting of a vehicle. They were there to celebrate Jennifer.
The testimony Jennifer has openly shared of her life could read like a tragedy if it wasn’t so clearly a triumph of good over evil. She was moved around from multiple adoptive and foster homes for most of her childhood. She’s been subjected to unstable and abusive relationships from people who were supposed to be there to protect her. When she was homeless and living on the street on one of several occasions, Jennifer easily could have quit on hope, on life, and on God. But instead, she wonderfully has chosen to proclaim God’s goodness and dedicate herself to serving people who are enduring some of the same hard circumstances she’s been through herself.
Known for her soft-spoken and gentle manner, Jennifer faithfully serves 4+ times a week at a domestic violence shelter and food pantry, and basically runs the homeless ministry at her church, New Liberty Baptist. Though her past adversity and ongoing obstacles could consume her time and energy, she doesn’t see them as reasons to limit her possibilities or keep her from helping others. She once told us “people keep telling me I can’t do things, and I just keep proving them wrong.”
Jennifer’s faith in and love for Jesus are clear when you talk to her, and she shares them in word and action wherever she goes. Jennifer isn’t just the sort of person who would give the coat off her back for someone in need, she literally has done that very thing! When we asked her where she’s looking forward to driving first, she said she can’t wait to pick up the kids from the shelter and give them rides to wherever they need to go.
Though our volunteers and partners know differently, it’s possible to get the impression that OnRamp DFW is the hero in the stories of our clients. I hope the story of Jennifer illustrates how incorrect that notion is. It has never been so evident to me as it is in the case of Jennifer, that we are most closely compared to a delivery company, transferring a much-needed resource from a good and loving God to someone who needs that tangible provision in this moment. And it’s equally never been so clear that those of us involved with giving the gift also receive a huge benefit in the exchange, from getting to know and be influenced by amazing people like Jennifer. We are so glad God brought her to us!
The OnRamp DFW team with Jennifer
Thank you once again to everyone who donated their time, expertise, and resources to allow us to give Jennifer a wonderful Toyota Yaris that will hopefully carry her everywhere she needs to go for years to come!
