Lightning-strike Survivor Receives Help from Sacred Heart Southern Missions

Sometimes events happen in the blink of an eye that affect our ability to take care of our family and ourselves. Such is the case with Ray. Ray was the sole breadwinner for his wife Clara and his five children. He had a good job at a local distribution center. He had health insurance and some savings. But when a bolt of lightning struck him while on the job, Ray was left very dependent on others.

Ray suffered hearing loss and had uncontrollable shaking. His condition would eventually improve but working was impossible. Ray’s medical costs quickly ate into savings that were budgeted for his family’s rent, utility bills and groceries and it was obvious that the family could not sustain themselves. That’s when he came to the attention of Sacred Heart Southern Missions.

Ray and his family visited Valarie, one of our social service ministers. During the visit, we quickly learned that they had no food. We provided them with enough food from our food pantry to meet their immediate needs. We also helped Ray apply for disability benefits which was later approved.

Once they shared how far behind they’d gotten on their bills, our social service minister picked up the phone and persuaded the utility company to apply hardship credits so they could keep their power on and convinced their landlord to defer rent payments.

Our social service ministers could not do the work they do without help from others like you. Your generosity reveals the power of God’s bountiful love, dispelling the darkest storms that descend upon the poor. When storms blew into Ray’s life, his world could have been turned upside down. But thanks to the support of our donors, Ray and his family is surviving.

As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, I give thanks to God for all those who help us help God’s children.

Merry Christmas and God bless you. You and your family are in our prayers.

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