Terry Starr saw this message: "Hi UA Friends, I recently became aware of a young Columbus mother who has faced some mighty struggles, and could really use our help. Her name is Biancamya Griffin, and I’ll try to give you a quick synopsis of her story. Bianca moved here from Flint, MI six years ago. She has three young children. On February 16, 2019, Bianca’s (now ex-boyfriend) was watching her youngest, KenKen, who is 4. It is hard to even write this, but the man held this sweet little boy (who has learning delays) down in a bathtub of scalding water. He was critically injured. KenKen has had 6-7 surgeries already and is facing at least two more. The monster who did this is in custody awaiting trial. I first became aware of her story as it was told by a wonderful Columbus police officer, who spends his time in some of our city’s worst neighborhoods connecting with kids, while sometimes putting out the call for help. So, Bianca has just moved from the south end to the Milo Grogan neighborhood. Ken was afraid to ever go into the bathroom (at the old house)for obvious reasons, and the area was riddled with crime and drugs. Bianca works hard as a contract employee for Southwest Airlines (they bought Ken’s wheelchair!), but she could really use some help furnishing the new place. I was there this morning, and it is truly a humble home, yet Bianca is thrilled. I have taken care of new kitchen items, but there is more she can use. The living room needs furniture, and she needs a dining table. There is room in the kitchen for a tiny dinette set too. She has beds, but could use dressers or even Rubbermaid type drawer units. While the apt is far from being remodeled, she is living there. Her landlord will adjust her rent if any sweat equity helps complete a project-there is a lot of painting to be done. If you have it in your heart to help this young family, please let me know. I’m going to post screenshots of her FB page dedicated to her son, and that of Officer Johnson-since this is a closed group. Thank you very much for reading and offering any assistance!” They have had a lot of responses with help for furniture and other household items. She needs help with hygiene products. Can we please help? Of course Tammy said YES and started packing. When the young mother said she didn't even have a fork, God's Hygiene gave her dishes, cereal bowls, silverware and a new skillet. When Biancamya came to pick up the basket plus items, she just cried and was so appreciative. “It is God himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives from Christ Jesus; and long ages ago he planned that we should spend these lives in helping others” (Ephesians 2:10 TLB). OSU Medical Center called Tammy and asked her to please move her white mini van. Tammy replied, "What do you mean? I don't have a white mini van. Why did you call me?" She replied, "Your phone number was on the side of the vehicle and since it was God's, we let it park in the handicapped zone." "That is not my vehicle. Would you please give me the license plate number so I can check into it." Tammy gave that information to a police officer who went to the woman's home to retrieve the GHHC car magnet. It turned out to be one of God's Hygiene's clients who claimed Tammy gave it to her. The woman confessed she had used the car magnet 5 times. She said she would return it to Tammy. The officer said no, you give it to me and I will return it to Tammy. The woman was upset because God's Hygiene did not give her any pots and pans with her Clean Start Basket. The officer told her "Tammy is my friend. You do not bad mouth any of my friends. Tammy only said good things about you." We love and so appreciate our Columbus Police officers! Then on Friday Ann went to pick up 10 cases of water which Save A Lot was donating for our Because School Matters event. She had a framed certificate of appreciation with her to present to the manager. Someone claiming to be with God's Hygiene had already picked them up on Tuesday! We find it hard to believe that someone is using our name to take advantage of our businesses in our community. Save A Lot felt bad that we had missed getting our water so then donated 20 cases of water to us. Thank you! Love is not jealous or envious.(these words have the same meaning) The keyword obviously is JEALOUS.. feeling or showing envy of someone or their achievements and advantages. Some other words would be covetousness, resentful, bitter, spiteful, grudging. We have to make sure that as children of God and followers of Jesus Christ that we are speaking life and encouraging one another. Proverbs 27:19(ESV) says iron sharpens iron and man sharpens one another. Family and friends we "MUST" strive to lift each other up. Romans 12:15 says; to rejoice with those who are rejoicing (that means be happy for those who are happy). We can't be happy for someone if we have jealousy or envy of any type in our heart's❤️we may or may not know we even have it. This is something we need to ask God to reveal and help us with so that our words are speaking life to others and not destroying their spirit, by bringing them down. Ephesians 4: 29 (EXP) says; don't say anything that will hurt others but only say what is helpful to make other's strong and meet their needs, then what you say will do good to those who listen to you. So therefore, are practical application for daily living is to speak Life encourage one another in love to be the best "US"for GOD, our families and communities. I hope this lesson blessed you as it has me. I'm striving to be more mindful to speak LIFE. Trina Oates, Outreach Evangelist With the help of over 50 great volunteers from UALC, Embark and the Linden community, our Because School Matters event was a great success. This year 6 Safe Streets police officers on bicycles came and played basketball with the kids. Then a Columbus police officer arrived on a horse! Yesterday was a blessed day as God's Hygiene served the community in the Linden area. It was our Because School Matters event. The greatest part for "me" being the Evangelist that I am was when two ladies came up for prayer. O One lady received Salvation and the other rededicated her life back to The Lord. All Praise to our God... that's what it's all about. The scripture say what profit a man to gain the world but lose his soul. We can go through this life wanting and needing the things of this world but what will it do for us after we leave here? Not saying that having your needs met are not important but having your soul saved is of the utmost importance. Trina Oates Welcome to our new volunteer Lisa Williams. Lisa has served with other nonprofits the past 11 years. She helped at the Because School Matters event, attended a meeting with Terry and Tammy and has helped stock and serve clients at the Douglas Center. Welcome Lisa! We also welcome Pat Moats who will assist entering donations and expenses on Google docs. She is able to volunteer using her own computer at home. Thanks Pat, that serves a great need. This is from Juanita Myerick one of our recent reentry ladies. Thank you Tammy and Kathryn for the wonderful basket that has filled her heart with so love and joy. God bless the ministry and your faithfulness to God’s call. Thank you again and God’s blessings Jan Roberts, Women Transition Manager, Kindway OMG! I just went through all the stuff in my welcome basket! My dad and I were amazed at all the stuff in there! I know that basket came from God because the items that were in there were things #1 that we were out of, and #2 the exact products we use like the garbage bags---exact kind we use---cleaner exact kind we use--- we were low on bleach----laundry detergent---exact kind we use. I could go on and on! How did they know my favorite color was purple??????!!!! I'm going to have to fight my daughter over that purple stuff because it's her favorite color too. Purple umbrella, purple towels, purple toothbrush holder, purple loofah, WOW!!!! AND TO TOP IT ALL OFF, THE HANDLE ON MY LAUNDRY BASKET JUST BROKE! So now I have a new one! I love all the stuff in there and I'm so very grateful for it. My dad was excited too! I went all off on a tangent but what I really want to say is thank you so much. My dad sends thanks as well. Please tell whoever makes the Welcome Home Baskets that we send our gratitude and love and that we know that God used them to bless us. Thank you to Kindway as well. You know I love you guys. (Thank you to Kathryn Farrar and her granddaughter for listening to God's prompts when shopping for the Clean Start Basket and choosing purple for her!)
Tammy started a new project--taking Teddy Bears and blankets to Whetstone Gardens where Advisor Harley Bratton resides. She brings one a day to Harley. He went up to a resident and asked, "Do you have a Teddy Bear?' The woman replied sadly, "No." Harley said, "You do now!" The expression on the senior's face brought a tear to his eye. "That is so wonderful. Thank you. What is your name?" The woman said, "II'm going to name my bear Harley." He responded, "Little Harley, I want you to take good care of her now, you hear?" So Harley made a new friend and feels at home and serving a purpose at the nursing home. April loves her teddy bear and she loves unicorns. GHHC where love wins puts a smile on her face at Whetstone Nursing Home When Tammy posted this picture on her Facebook page, someone commented: Amy Ross Nash "I know her she grew up in the house next to me for a few years . Poor girl has been so ill thank you Tammy for putting a smile on her face in such a dark time for her."
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