“They Got Good Beds, Pastor!” — A Gift of Rest and Joy
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“Thank you Pastor, for blessing my children… they got good beds, they got pillows and sheets… we are so happy… you all help me so much,” said Shadrack, a Congolese refugee who came to St. Louis 8 months ago.
On June 21st, a group of pick-up trucks from the organization, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, and Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Charles, MO, pulled up at the South City home of Shadrack to deliver and assemble seven beds for his children. Though drenched in sweat, the team of volunteers worked tirelessly to bring in and assemble the wooden boards, mattresses, and pillows.
Since arriving in St. Louis, Shadrack and his family have already moved twice, and up until recently, the sleeping arrangements for his eight children — including a baby — left little space for movement or organization in their small bedrooms. The new bunk beds were a welcome upgrade, creating room for better mobility and allowing the children to enjoy a more comfortable living space. For a family striving to rebuild their lives in a new land, this gift brought both relief and joy.
Rick, a team member from Immanuel Lutheran, shared, “Sleep in Heavenly Peace wants to make sure that there are no kids who do not have a bed to sleep. When we heard that CFNA refugee families might need beds for their kids, our team was glad to help and see the joy of Christ’s love shared with people in our community.”
Witnessing the kids’ joy as they received their new bunk beds was a wonderful sight to behold. CFNA is grateful for this impactful collaboration between Sleep in Heavenly Peace and Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Charles. The team’s dedication to helping this family is a great reminder of how we“will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make [us] dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8).
We pray that these beds will bring not just rest, but also remind our new neighbors of God’s faithful care for us all!
By Rev. Pastor Stanish, Executive Director of CFNA
