Basement kids lose their mother

[Brother Jerry]

This past Thursday a woman I knew passed away. (Dont start praying yet)

When I was a teen myself and many other kids used to go over to her house and hang out in the basement (it was finished).  We would talk, play games, and many other things.  It kept us all off of the streets and in one place.  Even as some of us moved out of teens and into early 20's we would get together over there just about every night.  Although never in the group setting many would use drugs such as dope or alcohol. 

This woman was a kind woman for allowing her childrens friends to come and stay whenever they needed.  She opened her house to any who needed it.  She did so not as just an open flop house.  She had rules.  Your parents had to know, if you were in school you had to do your homework, and there was a curfew during the week.  There were her rules and it was her house so you either abided by them and stayed or you did not and left. 

I attended the memorial service last night and met with many of my fellow basement kids.  I got to see the legacy that 'Mom' left behind.  I do not know the state of her salvation, she was either lost or she was saved and strayed very very far away.  Although genuinely kind and keeping with the "love thy neighbor" there were many aspects of the faith she did not follow.

And looking at the blood legacy in her children, none graduated from school, one is/has been a homosexual, one is flip flop in that she was strait then gay and now strait again.  the last is married but spends more time at the bar playing darts than anything else.  The extended family (basement kids) there is but one who is a professed Christian and you are reading his post now. 

I loved her dearly like an adoptive mother.  For that is what she was.  She showed me great wisdom and kindness, and resepect from the first meeting.  I hope that she is in Heaven with Jesus right now. 

My prayers now go out to the family and the 'kids'.  Not for comfort in this time of mourning.  But for salvation.  I pray to that in the next few days that I will encounter them again that Jesus will speak through me to them and plant the seeds of true comfort.  For I know that is the only comfort they are to get is through salvation. 

Just felt the burden to share. 

Sincerely
Brother Jerry

[Shammu]

Brother Jerry I will join you in prayer for the family, and "basement kids" for their salvation.

[Soldier4Christ]

Brother, what she did is a wonderful thing. My wife and I have done much the same thing for the kids in this neighborhood. Even though all my kids are grown and on their own now the neighborhood kids still come here. It is my hope and prayer that each of them find the way that they seek even though they do not know that is whom they are seeking. My heart and prayers are joined with yours for them all.