December 2018 Newsletter

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Rescuing A Six-Year-Old

Each one went their own way, as they dealt with their problems in life. Sharla had to leave her six-year-old son, Erik, in Roseburg to go take care of another child of hers. The father then cared for Erik, until his health prevented him. Erik went to a foster care home. This three member family was then in as many different places. Sharla needed to rescue her son. The process of gaining custody of him would require that she return to Roseburg, get a job, and provide a stable home environment. It meant quitting the job where she was living and paying child support to the responsible party caring for her other child.

Sharla’s local attorney referred her to our Samaritan Inn. For the Department of Human Services to work with her, she needed to have supervision, not just a safe place to live. She could not meet the custody requirements by just renting an apartment or motel room on her own. This safety plan included our manager reporting to DHS any issues regarding the mother or the interaction between mother and child. A DHS caseworker would just walk across W. Umpqua St. from their office to our shelter for visits. There were observed visitations of Sharla with Erik. We provided a nurturing environment for them.

Sharla arrived here childless, homeless, jobless, penniless, owing child support, and needing to pay for child-care so she could work. After just three days of walking all over town, she got a part-time job at a customer service call center. Erik rode a school bus to the elementary school that he attended nearest the foster home he was transitioning out of. The bus picked him up after school and dropped him off at a children’s activity club, until his mother or an approved friend could pick him up. Sharla said that DHS paid the first month’s fee at the club but could not help her with child care costs because she earned too much. She is juggling her work schedule with her son’s school and after school routine without a car. In tears, she said her job is in jeopardy, because she cannot always keep the timetable.

Some of Sharla’s troubles are undoubtedly her own doing; still, she has shown a remarkable determination to overcome obstacles to rescue Erik. She said, “Last Tuesday (10/9/18), I got my son back permanently, because I humbled myself and started over. Without this place, I would still be out there trying to figure out a way to get my son back. The doors of Samaritan Inn were open; otherwise, I would not have my son with me now. And I am able to save up money.” Her custody case took six weeks to process.

Mission Rescue includes equipping to reduce the need to be helped again. And we know that all of our social service efforts would accomplish little without the Lord. The closer our relationship with Him, the greater our disposition and character, the better our judgments and decisions. Sharla said, “I have always had a relationship with the Lord, but here I now have a closer relationship with Him. Samaritan Inn is an encouragement, a place to rebuild my faith. Very good people do chapel. They are very real. They give it to you bluntly; this is how it is. They are genuine, not better than anyone.” She then quoted, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” Matthew 5:5. Meekness is the virtue of hopeful endurance and strength in undesirable circumstances; it is submission to God.

The faithful have been blessed. A six-year-old boy has been restored to his mother. A mother has been redeemed to focus on her child’s needs. Their faith has grown. The Mission has rescued the displaced.