Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep 2022

Summer 2022 presents me with a mission for abused women and families. Along with that, I am hoping to post stories of others as they are encountered. This morning, I’m going to tell about Billy and Todd. For those of you who know me now, I work delivery gigs to support myself and my mission work.

Todd is another delivery driver who, at 56, has his own issues with a history of childhood molestation over the course of years as a very young boy and alcoholism as an adult. It’s only been recently that he has been coming to terms with the abuse because COVID and insurance allowed him coverage for counseling.

Todd unintentionally took a cash run for delivery. It’s an option for delivery that can be chosen, but there is a 50/50 chance of not being paid by people who work the system and the driver gets stuck with the bill. Also known as stealing by the customer.

Todd took the order and drove to an obscure location in a rural part of an agricultural county. The home was a derelict trailer with windows missing, rags stuffed into the broken edges and shouldn’t have been lived in. Appeared as if no one was around, no drivable vehicles, in some peoples eyes, a dump. The person who answered the door was a 7 year old child with tears in his eyes (I'll call him Billy), saying he was all alone, he didn’t know where his mom was, and he wasn’t sure if she was even going to be home that night, telling Todd he only had $2.50 for the pizza which was roughly $7. Now, Todd is looking at a 7 year old picture of himself in his head, knowing exactly what this little guy is feeling. Of course Todd gave the little guy the pizza. This is a true story. It broke my heart. What woman leaves a child alone like that? It wasn’t the first time because Billy knew he was depending on the kindness of delivery drivers who are doing this for a living. A woman who does that is someone who is likely an addict, or dependent on something that is causing her to not be there. Hopefully she isn’t dead somewhere, which is also possible. An addict is selfish. An addict only cares about the next fix, hit, shot of alcohol, stab of a needle, rush of what pill, snort of whatever powder or liquid inhaled. SELFISH. Last I knew, the Bible said to think of others before yourself. Last I knew, generosity was being Christ-like, love is the premise of the Word.

I’m angry at this anonymous woman, and the others who are out there like her who also play the system. I also have pity for them, and compassion, but there’s tough love, too, because I’ve seen women in situations where they’ve almost lost their lives but for the grace and mercy of GOD.
With this being said, as I work through my own emotions of my first week of mission, I’m asking please, would you support what we are doing?

Thank you.
God bless you. Post again soon, GOD willing and my tech skills don’t fail!
Sylvia

To help you better understand what the fundraiser is for, the following is what is needed:

Emergency kit items including:
wash cloths, hand towels, soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, baggies, feminine hygiene, underwear, bras, socks (not limited to these items)

Gas:
“Leaving” a situation often requires planning over a period of time, causing the at risk family to stay. Gas for travel is necessary. Using bankcards and debit cards leaves a trail for a stalking partner to follow. Money will be used to purchase gas cards based on the distance to be driven.

Food:
Food banks across the country don’t always provide food to those transitionally travelling. Requirements often involve residency and a capacity to cook. Money will be placed on unidentified cards from specific merchants.

Shelter:
Sleeping in a car, a rest area, even public campgrounds exposes a family. A method of funding travel housing is needed.

Miscellaneous: These items could include phone cards, phone, over the counter pharmacy needs, and anything that could hinder a smooth transition to a planned destination of safety.