Buy Sarah's Family a van
Donation protected
We want to purchase a serviceable minivan for Sarah, a mother of four, ages 3 to 16, who is an abuse survivor and getting back on her feet. She has been a hard worker all of her life, supporting herself and then her family, until the abuse started in the home, which has left her currently unable to work. Her minivan has quit, leaving her using a borrowed car. Replacing her van will allow her to help herself and her daughters heal from the abuse and get back to regular life. Will you help her get back into life?
22 years ago, I stopped Sarah’s mother, Mary, in the hallway of our church to talk to her. She had just returned from her mother-in-law’s funeral, and had lost her own mother about two months earlier. Mary and her husband were career missionaries, and her family was 1200 miles away. I felt God tugging at my heart as I looked at her and said, “You need a mother. May I be your mother?” She smiled and said yes, which is why for the past 22 years we have talked often, attended musical events, graduations, children and grandchildren parties and just enjoyed being together.
Sarah is Mary’s older daughter. She has persevered through the trials of life, some of which have left her with ongoing medical conditions that prevent her from working. Then, two years ago, the abuse started.
She worked hard to protect her four children, and took the brunt of the abuse herself. Then, her son was taken from her because of the abuse in the home, and given to his father, who violates the custody daily. The stress of it all forced her to seek help, and in seeking help she was able to…for the first time…utter those words, “I am being abused.” A month later she moved out of the home into protective shelter. While this stopped the immediate abuse, it also took her into extreme poverty, surviving on almost no money at all. At that lowest point, the abuser filed for divorce. With no money, she has fought for her children, her life and her dignity.
After ten months in shelter she made it out into subsidized housing. Her oldest daughter is now living with her father in Florida. The two younger girls (ages 3 and 6) with her are both in counseling, and doing well at learning life skills and getting their lives stabilized. The divorce from the abuser will be final soon, and now, another major setback: her minivan stops running and at 193,000 miles, is too costly to repair!
Providing this transportation to Sarah will help bring stability to her and her children. She will be able to continue with appointments at school, doctors, counselors and social workers. Thank you for reading Sarah’s story and I would greatly appreciate your help to assist her with a vehicle.
Sarah's Dad, Jim Harriger, is helping her with finding a vehicle and insurance and making sure the funds all go to her transportation needs.
22 years ago, I stopped Sarah’s mother, Mary, in the hallway of our church to talk to her. She had just returned from her mother-in-law’s funeral, and had lost her own mother about two months earlier. Mary and her husband were career missionaries, and her family was 1200 miles away. I felt God tugging at my heart as I looked at her and said, “You need a mother. May I be your mother?” She smiled and said yes, which is why for the past 22 years we have talked often, attended musical events, graduations, children and grandchildren parties and just enjoyed being together.
Sarah is Mary’s older daughter. She has persevered through the trials of life, some of which have left her with ongoing medical conditions that prevent her from working. Then, two years ago, the abuse started.
She worked hard to protect her four children, and took the brunt of the abuse herself. Then, her son was taken from her because of the abuse in the home, and given to his father, who violates the custody daily. The stress of it all forced her to seek help, and in seeking help she was able to…for the first time…utter those words, “I am being abused.” A month later she moved out of the home into protective shelter. While this stopped the immediate abuse, it also took her into extreme poverty, surviving on almost no money at all. At that lowest point, the abuser filed for divorce. With no money, she has fought for her children, her life and her dignity.
After ten months in shelter she made it out into subsidized housing. Her oldest daughter is now living with her father in Florida. The two younger girls (ages 3 and 6) with her are both in counseling, and doing well at learning life skills and getting their lives stabilized. The divorce from the abuser will be final soon, and now, another major setback: her minivan stops running and at 193,000 miles, is too costly to repair!
Providing this transportation to Sarah will help bring stability to her and her children. She will be able to continue with appointments at school, doctors, counselors and social workers. Thank you for reading Sarah’s story and I would greatly appreciate your help to assist her with a vehicle.
Sarah's Dad, Jim Harriger, is helping her with finding a vehicle and insurance and making sure the funds all go to her transportation needs.
Co-organizers (2)
Betty Bezzerides
Organizer
Springfield, MO
Jim Harriger
Beneficiary
Mary Harriger
Co-organizer