A couple of weeks ago our pastor preached on the three attributes of being a difference maker.   Quite poignantly the illustration was given of the parable of the Good Samaritan and the movement of his heart to make the conscious decision to attend to the needs of the man who had been beaten and left on the side of the road as dead.

             Among us, in our congregations, are single mothers whose lives are no less in need of rescue than this man left as dead.

               Early on in our walk with Jesus we found there was a disconnect in many congregations regarding the care, through the storehouse, of these women and children whom James refers to as widows and orphans.  Sometimes I wonder if the Lord has purposely planted these precious women in congregations to activate our hearts to be led by the Holy Spirit to tend to the needs of the very ones who are seated next to us.

             The majority of the ladies with whom we work have been victims of emotional, verbal or physical abuse.  Either the husband/father has deserted the family or the mother has finally found the courage to leave with the children. 

              Many of these ladies have been long standing members of congregations.  Oftentimes because of shame they remain silent regarding their desperate situations.  Sometimes they take the risk and tell leadership.  Unfortunately we have found in the majority of these cases the leadership’s response to the dire situation is to take the approach of “crossing to the other side of the street” as did the religious leaders in the parable of the Good Samaritan.     

                 There is such a mother, a long- time member of an area congregation, with whom we have been walking for about 6 months now.  She is the mother of three tiny children. Her dream was to always be a stay at home mother.  The father left the marriage when she was 6 months pregnant, moving in with another woman, neglecting to pay anything toward expenses.  Her parents paid to begin the legal process but ran out of money to continue.  This is the point we were introduced to her as without finance the lawyer would not continue to represent her in the fight for proper custody and living expenses. 

                   As is often the case we find there are many more needs once we begin walking with these ladies. To begin we found she had absolutely no income.  Her husband left them cold turkey and penniless. Family members were trying to supplement as best as they could but even their resources were limited.  There was a car in disrepair, tires that were bald, utilities to be disconnected….not to mention the stress of having to turn over the children to the father for visitation which oftentimes has produced great anxiety in the children.

                We have been committed to monthly supplementing income until there is a settlement of property as well as continue to walk with her through the legal representation.   If you have ever walked through such a process in family court you are well aware of the great expense. Thus far we have invested $14,000 for legal and living expenses.  Our prayer is the court will force father to pay back child support.  

               Our desire is for this family to continue to live in their home rather than be uprooted as there has already been so much great disruption in their lives.  The monthly mortgage is doable at $600 per month as opposed to wherever they might need to relocate.  They would have to move into a public housing project which is the last place we would ever want this family to live.

                Time is of the essence as we need to have at least $18,500 raised within 60 days. This is the ex-husband’s share of house value in equitable distribution.  The 50,000 mortgage must be refinanced.  The mother’s credit is not good due to an outstanding Obstetric bill from the baby’s birth but we are searching possible resources which may be willing to finance with our backing.

               We recently watched a video of a couple whose home in South Carolina was damaged from the storm and how a Christian team came, tore out the mess and restored to new the home as a gift of grace to this couple. It was quite moving to hear this couple speak of the grace that was bestowed upon them.

              If we were to take a video of the lives of the women with whom we work it would be a very slow and laborious incremental one step at a time process of restoration.  It truly takes a good 2 to 3 years for us to walk them out of their initial crisis and then slowly become restored.  Oftentimes it is as a plant that has experienced root shock.  Once placed in the proper soil and given the proper care, the plant can begin to thrive. 

               We would hope that you would share our vision to care for this mother and children as they navigate through this season of their lives.  We want those who invest to know they will be investing in the restoration of a precious mother and three tiny children.  It is truly Kingdom investment.

                If you would like to donate to this cause you can do so, via pay pal, through our website: www.newdirectionmustardseed.com .

                 Or by check to:  Mustard Seed Project   PO Box 18745 Asheville, NC 28814

                 Please indicate it is for:  Family’s Home

Sincerely

Bridget and David Walls