Future Opportunities

One of the caregivers staying at Hope Lodge and I have become friends and spend a lot of time talking, sharing, laughing, and even crying. She and I are making some plans in the future. Once we are back home and back to "normal", we are going to start working on trying to get some added funding for people staying at the Hope Lodge. After spending a month around many families, we have found similar problems in almost every family. The first thing is that life goes on. Every single person at the Lodge is setting aside regular employment for a time, yet all the bills and expenses are the same at home. The second is that they have added expenses for food, gas, added medications, and all the little things you need while away from home.

We have actually seen people who don't have food or money for food staying at the Lodge. They don't hang around in the dining area, and don't come down to eat much. Although there is food there that we share, it is not enough for proper daily nutrition.

There are people who have to work during their chemo and radiation just to pay the bills. One man here is a driver, and must drive daily, even when he is as sick as a dog from his chemo. Otherwise his family will lose everything. Some of the caregivers spend all week dealing with an ill person and their needs, medications, special foods or feeding tubes, appointments and travel, then go home and work all weekend at their jobs. Then back again for another hard week. They don't get a break.

My friend and I are trying to work a plan to get some funding for grocery and gas cards, donations for the bills still at home, etc. While we LOVE that the Hope Lodge is free for lodging, we know it is just a part of the big picture...and we hope to make it a little easier yet.

Justin and I are also working to get some Chaplains for the Lodge. We will begin that as soon as we are back. Hopefully there is already something in place, but we have not heard of it yet. We would like to see some pastors available to spend a little while volunteering at the Lodge, or be open to being "on call" if someone needs some help or counsel. Just to have someone to talk to would be an added benefit. There are days during this crisis time when a listening ear or a comforting word would be a blessing.