A Love Story – Gurnee, Illinois
"I just had to write to thank you all for your love and kindness." So begins a letter from Theresa, whose sister Helen received a donation of furniture from Love INC of Lake County in Gurnee, Illinois.
The simple delivery of a couch and chairs had become a transforming event in Helen's life. "It brought so much joy to her," said Theresa. "She called me twice and my other sister once to tell the story of how wonderful Love INC was to her. It brought tears to my eyes to hear her tell the story of the love she felt from the ministry of Love INC."
Helen is a recovering alcoholic. She had been sober for over a year when she left the security of a halfway house to rent an apartment on her own. But Helen had lost her driver's license and felt trapped and lonely. Theresa said, "Each minute of each day was a struggle for her. She has been through so much in her life."
When Love INC was contacted to provide furniture for Helen's new apartment, they went the extra mile. Not only did church volunteers find a way to bring the furniture up three flights of stairs, they stayed to help Helen clean and arrange her apartment. "I was in tears with the love that they showed me," Helen said. "Afterwards, they gave me a Bible, and then asked if they could pray with me. I was so moved that I was trembling from the inside out. I hope I can do for someone else what they have done for me."
The church volunteers who delivered the furniture continue to be part of Helen's life, calling and checking in on her to see if she has other needs.
Theresa said, "There are people out there, my sister being one of them, that truly feel that they are not worthy of being loved. That the life they have led is so bad they don't deserve anyone's love. They can't forgive themselves, and therefore have a hard time accepting forgiveness from others, especially Jesus. But to see perfect strangers come alongside them and show them love and acceptance is so powerful. Thank you again for impacting a life for Christ."