The Impact of a Winsome Witness
I read this letter at Winnie Sawchuk’s memorial service. She served as the Grace Place Loveland office manager. One day a couple young adults stopped in the office. They were down and out. Winnie reached out to them and made an impression. Months later, May 4, 2009, a handwritten note was left in the door at the office. It read:
Hello,
I imagine you don’t remember me. My friend, Montana and I came into your office not long after you opened. That is sort of my “area” so we stopped by to see what you were and why you guys had such a weird name.
Anyway, I heard that you were sick with cancer…I am so sorry. I can’t imagine how much that must suck. Just wanted to let you know that Montana (who is sleeping in a tent in Alaska currently – crazy boys) and I are thinking about you.
You have been sort of the piece of the puzzle that keeps standing out as not fitting in the church picture. I have met a lot of church people – a heck of a lot more than I would like to have. And I am” way too heathen” for them to do anything but pray at a distance… I don’t blame them for truly they are “freaking” more holy than me. But, you work for a church and you talked to us and answered our questions… and even offered us food – since there have been times the pain in the stomach combined with the “dizzy” in the head have made life miserable. This meant a lot.
Guess I just want to say “thank-you”. When I heard that place was a church I was biased against you, but you were nothing like a Christian. If ever I were to be a Christian at a church I would want to be on like you. One that even a “screw-up” like me could talk to.
These church people of yours better to taking good care of you.
(The letter is signed “Jess”)