More than an Emergency C-Section

Rachelle had just been told by her OB-GYN that she would need to have a C-section this week for the health of her baby. When Rachelle shared that she had no where for her four and six-year-old sons to stay during the C-section and recovery, the hospital staff gave her TFG’s number. 

Jen was the TFG case manager who received the call from Rachelle. Jen quickly sent out an emergency text to our host families for a week-long hosting and received a response from a host mom named Natalie. Within three days of Rachelle reaching out to TFG, her sons, Aaron and Alex were being picked up to stay with Natalie and her family for a week. Natalie and Rachelle connected right away on several shared experiences and background, giving Rachelle peace as she said goodbye to her boys. 

The next day, Rachelle delivered a healthy baby boy, Anthony. Natalie FaceTimed Rachelle so that Aaron and Alex could meet their new brother. As Rachelle and Natalie talked, Rachelle shared that it was hard to welcome Anthony because he was born a day after the one-year anniversary of a losing a baby to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Natalie could immediately empathize with Rachelle as she had also lost a baby. The two woman shared their hearts and grief, with Natalie also offering hope to Rachelle. 

It is incredible to see how evident God’s hand was in this hosting. He paired the perfect host family to care for Rachelle and her children in a time of stress and loneliness. The care this family received went beyond just meeting the need for a place for Aaron and Alex to stay. 

Not only did Aaron and Alex experience a week of love and care when they couldn’t be with their mom, but Rachelle was supported during an emotional and vulnerable time. 

After the initial hosting, Jen didn’t hear from Rachelle until just this week! Rachelle shared that Anthony has been growing very healthily and is a happy baby. She also asked if she could get a respite hosting for Aaron and Alex. She was so impressed with Natalie that she knew that Together for Good was the place she could call for ongoing support. Rachelle knew that she now had people who would walk alongside life with her. She wasn’t alone. 

*Participant and volunteers names have been changed to protect their privacy.