
Let's Bless and Believe for Tandren Jones & family
I met Tandren nearly one decade ago. My family and I had just moved to Kansas City from the west coast, and at the time, one of the things my husband and I both agreed on was to explore churches and find a church home and community for our very young family of four. When we were ready to start visiting churches, my husband suggested we try the church he grew up in, naturally — Colonial Presbyterian Church in Kansas City, Missouri.
A wonderful married couple had an established Sunday school class at Colonial, so we took a chance and decided to attend the class in hopes of meeting new people and connecting with families. It was there in Sunday school that I first met Tandren. She was one of those people who could leave a lasting impression with a simple "hello.” Now, when I look back and think about our first meeting, I know it was the Holy Spirit who spoke so deeply through her smile and a few words. Even then, Tandren was humble, honest and authentic; her quiet peace + confidence in God was something I recognized right away and will never forget.
Almost ten years later, I am sharing part of her story with you and believing that God will use all that has happened in her life for His glory and for her ultimate good. Tandren believes this, and she has said to me: “if sharing my story can lead even one person to the Lord, then all praise be to God." This is Tandren...
The last several years of her life have been filled with trials and tragedy. In 2017, Tandren lost her first cousin in a homicide. He was driving home from work one evening and was murdered — his case is still unsolved. That same year, Tandren's paternal grandmother passed away from stomach cancer. Tandren and her sister were at the hospital with her grandmother when she took her last breath, and both of her grandmother's children — Tandren's father and uncle — were already deceased at the time of her passing. Later that year, Tandren's brother was murdered by one of his own children, and just six months later, in July 2018, Tandren's husband died from a sudden heart attack while Tandren was five months pregnant with their fifth child.
In the same month of her husband's tragic and sudden passing, Tandren lost her aunt to breast cancer. But, in the midst of her loss and grief, Tandren gave birth to a baby girl. She fought to keep it together and stay strong for her five children.
Now a widow, Tandren went from a two income household to a single income household, and eventually, Tandren had to give up her job as she struggled to find adequate and affordable child care for her son with special needs. Unfortunately, there was no longer a feasible daycare option for her son as he aged out of the care system she relied on for so many working years. So, when Tandren found herself out of work and at home with her children full-time, she decided to start caring for her mother-in-law as her health was also beginning to decline. Tandren started driving her mother-in-law to and from physical therapy, and eventually became her full-time caregiver as the position paid $11/hour. Prior to that opportunity, Tandren had not had any income for some time, so she accepted the role and responsibility of caregiver, and she gives all thanks and praise to God for providing and making a way for her to support her family when she had no other way. Tandren says that she is so grateful and feels so blessed, because when COVID hit, her new job allowed for her to bring her children to work and also assist them with virtual schooling.
She says that she could not imagine those things happening with any other job, and caring for her children's grandmother was the best thing that could have happened to her during that time.
A few months ago, in March, Tandren's mother-in-law was diagnosed with colon cancer. She has been in the hospital for the last several weeks due to complications, which also means that Tandren has been unable to care for her and without work for the month of June. What’s more, in May, Tandren found out that she, too, has breast cancer and will need surgery, chemo and radiation. Her surgery date is set for 6/24/21.
In spite of her circumstances, Tandren has peace and is grateful for her family, church family and friends, and she is hopeful that she and her mother-in-law will be cancer-free. Her prayer is that she will be around to raise up her five children, ages 23, 16, 12, 6 and 2 years old. She says: “the Lord knows I’ve been through some tough times,” but Tandren remains resilient + faithful through it all. She lives by faith daily, and witnessing her heart for God, her family and others has grown and changed my heart as well. Tandren is a loving, humble servant of Jesus, acting as His hands + feet and embodying what Scripture refers to as Salt and Light (Matthew 5:13-16).
If Tandren can choose to fight her battles in hope + faith, we can choose to come together in the same way and bless + believe for her and her beautiful family. Thank you so much for your prayers, generosity and support.
God Bless,
Bo + Jerry
**All contributions will go directly to Tandren and her family to cover: medical expenses, childcare, rent, utilities, groceries — whatever they need and will need to make it through this season. If you are unable to offer financial support at this time, please do not worry. You may ALWAYS show your LOVE by keeping her and her family in your thoughts and prayers.