How Helping Multiplies

February 9, 2024

Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the merciful Father, the God from whom all help comes! ⁴ He helps us in all our troubles, so that we are able to help others who have all kinds of troubles, using the same help that we ourselves have received from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ~ GNT

I have always loved the verse above because it explains how God’s help in our lives is passed on by helping others. The following email from Katie Furneisen, CEO of the Shenandoah Alliance for Shelter illustrates how this is being demonstrated through the wonder, mystery, and mercy of St. Paul’s UCC Sibert House project.

“The first resident of the Sibert House is a gentleman named Keith who has been chronically homeless (homeless for at least 1 continuous year while also experiencing a disability, i.e. mental health, physical health, or substance abuse) since at least 2015.  He had resigned himself to being “worthless” or “hopeless”.   He had been given permission to set up a camp on private land, and had put his energy into creating a place he could survive in for the rest of his life.  He’s pretty handy and reported he found a way to utilize car batteries to power a TV, microwave, and small heater.   He had experienced harassment and bullying as a result of his way of life, and in November of 2023 one of his bully’s burned down his camp with all of his belongings including his identification (photo ID, birth certificate, social security card) and clothing/personal possessions.  

A friend of his, and sole supporter for him since he became homeless, lives across the street from the Sibert House and reached out to SAS about resources from him.  We staffed his case, and spoke with him, determining he would be a perfect candidate for our first resident; staff has previously had interactions with Keith and knew him to be a kind person stuck in a cycle of bad luck, unable to get himself out.  After his first night sleeping on a bed, under a roof, in a home with running water he stated he started to feel like a person again.  We didn’t have a TV hooked up yet, so he asked if he could get some books and spent time reading.  As Christmas was coming he also asked if he could have a small tabletop Christmas tree, which we obviously supported!  We have since hooked up a TV, but he does continue to read now that he has access to both books and light. 

He has thrown himself into the opportunity the Sibert House is providing him; every contact we have with him he expresses his gratitude to be able to find his motivation.   In just 2 short months through assistance from SAS and the stability of a walkable place to live he has paid his finds to reinstate his driver’s license, requested new copies of his birth certificate and social security card, and gotten a phone.  The walkable location has enabled him to start attending weekly meetings to address his mental health issues and go to The Gym both to exercise and to get back into socializing with people again, including his young adult children whom he has been able to reconnect with.  He has also been able to get new glasses, and remarked how he didn’t realize how much better things look when you can really see them!   Last week, he stated that he hates that it took losing everything for him to find his motivation again and remains grateful daily for the opportunity staying at the Sibert House is providing him.  His goal is to obtain full time employment and get into his own place with his own income in the Spring. 

He is the perfect person to get this project started in the right direction!  We thank you and the rest of the Church for believing in and supporting this process!” 

Well done, good and faithful servants!  Anne