A Care Group Project

In April a caseworker from the City of Gaithersburg, put me in touch with an older couple named Mark and Julie. They’d been living in the same dingy apartment building for over twenty years and had just been informed that they would need to move. Julie had mobility issues and Mark wasn’t able to keep a steady job. Their sole income came from welfare checks and most of it went to pay rent.  Sometimes, they went without food for an entire week until their next check arrived.

When I met this couple, two things immediately struck me - it was very dim in their apartment -  and I was grateful for that. There seemed to be a coating of grime and filth over everything in their small two-bedroom apartment. Everything was old and shabby. Except for the smiles on Mark and Julie’s faces. They lit up when we were introduced. Right then I had a fresh vision for serving these people - I wanted to do what I could to help them and show them Christ’s love.

My care group decided to adopt this couple.  We picked up boxes and other supplies to assist with the move. Five of us met at Giant to buy sandwich foods, then made our way to Mark and Julie’s. They were so blessed when we told them we wanted to share our lunch with them and give them all the leftovers.

The ladies in my caregroup immediately engaged Mark and Julie and began fixing them lunch. Our men didn’t waste any time either. They jumped right into boxing up the apartment and hauling out clutter. After five hours we were about halfway done. But I felt like I was on holy ground. The way Angel, Gerre, Jessica, and Lena served was exemplary. They jumped right into serving, not waiting for someone to tell them to do something, but taking initiative. And doing an outstanding job. I was so humbled to see them entering into the filthy world of that apartment, engaging with the dirt and grim with a smile, all because they wanted to serve this couple they had never met before. That was Christ-likeness on display. They weren’t just there to do a good deed and move on. No, they drew out Mark and Julie about their lives and beliefs. And they wanted to do more!

Two Tuesdays later, we used our caregroup time to continue the job. Brian Whalen, Susan Alexander, and Erin Jones were able to come this time. I was thrilled that Mark and Julie would meet different members of the caregroup, because I knew each person was a unique testimony of God’s love. I was also excited for my group to catch a vision for serving and laying their lives down.

We spent around two and a half hours going through their bedrooms packing up their stuff and throwing out what they no longer needed. And when we were finished everything was mostly packed and ready to go.

We chose Sunday afternoon for the final move.  After several trips back and forth everything was in the new place, the old apartment was cleaned out, and Mark and Julie were settled in their new home.

We probably spent 5 hours moving them that final day, but God gave each of us so much joy in our serving, that the time seemed short. It was awesome to see how we were able to help in such a tangible way to dramatically improve their standard of living.

It encouraged me to see folks in my caregroup give of their time and energy to serve this couple we probably will never see again. And to see them do it for God’s glory, not for an earthly reward.

- Nick
- The Tedesco CG