Below is a thank you note from the Miller family which was one of the 3 families that the church hosted over Christmas through the BHN that the director wanted to share with us.
Wednesday, 24 December, 2008
To all the people involved in the Birmingham Hospitality Network…
Christmas is a time to focus on Christ coming to the world. It’s a time of celebration, of compassion, of family, and of generosity. Christmas is a time of joy and cheer… or, at least, it is for most people. The way our situation was going, it didn’t look like we would have a very merry Christmas at all… no home, no money to buy presents, and – some would contend, – nothing to celebrate. We were out of luck, and our hope was dwindling, like a candle with no wax.
When we first arrived in Birmingham, I was somewhat skeptical. Huntsville and Decatur didn’t help us much, except to keep us from being forced to sleep on the streets. My brother was getting slowly worse, instead of better; and my dad was going crazy trying to find some way for us to just survive… let-alone find a place to live. Determination can only take you so far; and, when it seems like there are no opportunities – when it seems like nobody cares, – even determination becomes frayed like a rotten thread, and hope starts turning into cancerous despair.
When it looked like we’d be back on the streets again, someone told Dad about this place. They said it was a place that would make sure people who, as Dad likes to call it, “fall between the cracks” of every other organization’s criteria, have a roof over their head, and food to eat. It was the only chance we could see to take, so we came to see about some help finding shelter, while we waited for the system to help us get into affordable housing.
I think I, most of all, was surprised by the amount of compassion we witnessed… There was no prejudice, no discomfort put on us because we were in need of help, no condescension. There was, as some of my more imaginative friends would say, “perfect love, and perfect trust”. We were treated like actual people; not like a case, a case-study, a statistic, or some sub-human species. Most refreshing, though, was the fact that – though there was certainly sympathy, – there was no pity. I can tell you, personally, that I despise pity. It makes me feel like less of a man; and, if it makes me feel like less of a man, God only knows how it makes one, so proud as my dad, feel. No, there was no pity; though there was certainly compassion, sympathy, and – dare I say, – camaraderie… even friendship.
Everyone we’ve met, who has been attached to this coalition, has done everything in their power to ensure we felt absolutely comfortable. Truly, this organization, and it’s multitude of affiliates, have shown us – and here, I do speak for all three of us, – that the word “Hospitality” on the signs, and on the pamphlettes, is more than just a marketing gimmick. More than merely being able, everyone in this organization is obviously willing to show true hospitality, and Christian love, to everyone who walks through their doors.
From the bottom of my heart, and the collective heart of this family, you have our deepest, most sincere thanks and gratitude. Your efforts are truly appreciated; and, if we can ever be of assistance to you in the future, do not hesitate to ask.
Most sincerely,David, Andrew, and Lawrence Miller
