Last Thursday I posted about a woman in my town that was being held hostage at gunpoint by her ex-boyfriend. (She is the mother of my son's girlfriend ) the first news story is here :
http://qconline.com/archives/qco/display.php?id=470723
She actually saved her own life ! The man had been drinking during the ordeal and in a weak moment laid the gun down for a second . Julie saw her chance and grabbed the gun and threw it out the window then fought with him and escaped from the apartment to the awaiting police . They then smoked him out with pepper spray bombs .
During the standoff he shot his gun over 50 times through out the apartment ruining furniture ,clothing ,personal belongings along with the walls, windows ,skylight ,and doors . He also used a knife ,hammer and crowbar .
After being free Julie was reunited with her kids right away . By Sunday she was right back at work as a waitress .That day her customers left her over $400.00 dollars in tips . Her employer has spoken out to the press about all that she lost and the community has risen to the occasion to help her .
The local computer shop took her computer in to repair and replace whatever is needed at no charge to her . Another shop sent a repair man to inspect her appliances and repair them if needed . A shop keeper gave her a brand new coat ,gloves and scarf along with a generous credit for any other clothes needed. Friends and people that barely knew her have volunteered to clean up the apartment until professionals can do repairs. A donation basket at the restrurant has netted over $2000.00 in gift cards and cash . Her son has been given gift cards at school as well !
I know for a fact several churches formed prayer groups to pray for her during the ordeal . I personally heard one of those prayers and it was the most heartfelt ,well thought out and spoken prayer I have heard .
I feel very lucky to live in such a caring community, and am constantly, pleasantly surprised at how truly loving so called 'worldly' people are compared to what I was led to believe growing up as a JW.
What about the local Jehovah's Witnesses have they made donations or offerings of help .......hear crickets in this space .........Nope
(The Witness at the place where my husband works could only make sarcastic remarks about her bad choices of being in a relationship with such a man ......Another man my husband works with made the comment how uncaring the witnesses remarks were .)