SamBeller.org

Thursday, December 21, 2000

AMAZING GIFT ... a VAN for SAM

On Monday night, December 18th, we hosted a Christmas pot-luck for our weekly prayer group. After we’d finished eating, one of the guys told us that there were some people gathered out on our front lawn and we should see what they wanted. He made it sound like there was a fight going on out there! We opened the door to see about 30 men, women and children gathered on our lawn. Our initial impression was that may be they were singing Christmas carols in our neighborhood. Then, we noticed that we KNEW them all!! Behind them was parked a BIG van with a big red bow on it and one gentleman in the middle was walking towards us with a big poster that looked like a check, stating “This Check Good For ONE NEW VAN FOR MR. SAM AND THE BELLER CLAN.” WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The surprise was just like a dream and we could do nothing except start crying! The guy with the sign was Greg Ray, a dear man who started the whole thing. We brought Sam out to see what all the fuss was about… later we found out that Sam already knew he was getting a new van ... along with everyone in our church!! We brought everyone inside (with their hot cider and cookies they brought too). We sang songs around Sam and heard the story of how this great gift came to be.

Greg told us that when he drives to work he passes a wheelchair lift company and always thinks of Sam… he said that God was calling him (like Jonah to Nineva!!!). He said that every time he’d drive by, he’d think of how much Sam needed a van with a lift. And Greg is right. Sam now sits in a special car seat in our minivan. We lift him in and out of the car seat and also must lift his wheelchair in and out of the back of the minivan each time we take him somewhere. Needless to say, it takes a long time to get Sam in and out of the car. It’s especially difficult with cold or rainy weather. And our backs are killing us!

With a big van and a lift, we’ll be able to quickly, safely and smoothly move Sam in and out of the van. May be it’ll be so easy that Sam can even go run an errand with Mom!! He loves seeing all the STUFF at the stores - but doesn’t get to go very often. Even for going to doctors appointments, school, etc - all will be sooooo much easier.

Greg really saw and “felt” our need to be able to transport Sam in a more comfortable way. He said that the Lord was not going to let him drive to work without being reminded of Sam. “Go to Nineva!!!” So, he emailed some friends from church and said, “So, what are we going to do about this problem???” It always helps to make your problem a community problem ... get’s solved much faster.

Around Thanksgiving of this year, Sam’s elves gathered together to stuff envelopes to the entire Preston Road Church of Christ congregation. We not even sure who the elves were ... but we know that Greg and his wife, Georgia, Bill and Laurie Carroll, Kenneth & Susan Kirklin and others have been diligently working. They, apparently, even had a “Beller mailing label emergency” where they had to look back through all the mail and find the address with our name on it and pull it out before the surprise was out.

And, the rest is history and a testimony of God continuing to provide for Sam and all his needs .... Greg said that within 3 days, they had raised $10,000. By Monday, December 18th, they had nearly $20,000 and two different gentlemen stating the desire to help out with the cost of what ever was left over..... it is so completely humbling to think that all of these folks have taken Sam’s struggles into their hearts.

We are still just dumb-founded about the entire thing - amazed, awe-struck and, like I said, completely humbled to know that all of you were willing to give up your treasures for our son.

All David and I can say is that we don’t deserve you all ... but Sam does! Sam is such an innocent little boy, an observer, not participant in so many areas of life.... so pure in heart, so good through and through. He’s a lover. He loves everyone. Sam is not angry about his health problems and disabilities. He knows that God takes care of him. He trusts completely, without one doubt in his mind. And, he knows that one day things will be different. One day, the Lord will restore his weak body - whether on Earth or in Heaven - the chains will be lifted. And Sam will be the FIRST one of all who witness to lift his strong arms and raise his hands to praises the One who healed him. I can’t wait to see Sam kneel before the Lord and sing praises to Him.

Thank you so very very much for continuing to love Sam like we’ve never seen love.

We love you all,
Kelly & David Beller