IHN Stories

Over the past few years there have been many experiences and stories that keep the volunteers motivated. Two of these stories are listed below:

Family of Eight

Many of our guests have been given a new start in life by IHN. One favorite example is a family of 8 who fled from their home in Ohio after the wifeís ex-husband set their home on fire. All family members escaped, but with the exception of the family car, their possessions were destroyed. The husband secured a job at Tops in Rochester. But they drove here only to find that they could not locate an affordable place to live. For 12 days, they lived in their car. Once the family discovered IHN, the program immediately provided a temporary place for them to stay in the 3rd Church building and volunteers provided food and hospitality as part of the IHN rotation week at 3rd Church. The family, and especially the children, helped with the dinner preparation. The father asked to say grace before one meal and told of how grateful he was that they could eat a home cooked meal again and sleep in beds in the safe church environment. IHN would further provide this family with help in finding clothing, getting the children settled in school, and locating an affordable place for them to live. The IHN volunteers felt blessed to have helped this truly needy family to discover new beginnings in Rochester.

Teresa and Analyse

The records will show that Teresa and her six month old daughter Analyse came to the RAIHN shelter in the spring, moved to an apartment in the summer, left Rochester in the fall. File closed.

The first time I met Analyse at the RAIHN day center, I was done for. She was a charmer, a delightful little girl with a big smile and eyes that said she would be your friend. Her mom Teresa amazed me with her strength and her resolve to take care of her baby, travel to appointments on public transportation, search for permanent housing, get along with the other families, and do her share of chores around the day center. We became friends. Teresa made me feel very happy when she taught me how to say in Spanish to Analyse, ìI am your grandpaî. I think Analyse heard that about a thousand times. After Teresa left the shelter for her own apartment, weíd get together for trips to the public market or just visits. In June Analyse was baptized at one of the host congregations, a joyous event, and in October I helped her celebrate her one-year-old birthday. In November, news came from Bolivia that Teresaís father had suffered heart problems and a stroke. She began preparations to return to her native country. At the end of November Teresa and Analyse flew to Santa Cruz. Teresa later called to say that she was happy to be home with her father. He was getting better and would soon be home from the hospital. She said she would always be grateful to her friends at RAIHN. And then she put Analyse on the phone. The file will be openÖalways.

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