Horror struck on Christmas this year in our neighborhood.  My neighbors Ray and Raelynn Johnston came home from celebrating Christmas to find their house on fire with smoke everywhere.  They found their dogs lying dead on the kitchen floor.  As if a house fire was not bad enough, it was set by the Grandson of their next door neighbor.  They had just wished him a "Merry Christmas" earlier that day and he tried to burn their house down .  He was trying to steal a TV and other things.  He was caught and has been charged.

I have always had a great deal of respect for how this family works through challenges.  The youngest of their four daughters, Ronni, has down syndrome.  She needs full-time care and she thought of the dogs as her best friends.  I always liked watching her as she would walk them up and down the street with her mother.  She does not understand why they cannot go home and why her dogs are not with her right now.  Another challenge is that Ray was recently laid off from his job.

The Johnstons' need is significant in that almost everything in the house is a complete loss due to smoke and water damage.  The house itself will need significant repairs.  They are living at their daughter Liz's house, but her house is not nearly large enough to hold them long term.   Liz is 8 months pregnant and is due to have her second child.  

After talking to Ray and Raelynn today, they said that they need everything from clothes to personal care items to food.  Their need is immediate and substantial as they begin the process of trying to bring back their home.

If you were trying to find a good place to donate money or just want to help people in need, then I ask you to donate whatever you are financially able to help the Johnstons.  If you are unable to donate, please pray for them that they may be given the strength to continue on this difficult journey ahead of them.  Thank you for your generosity!  It makes a world of difference to a good family.