Homeless and hopeless because of COVID-19

Dear Pastor,

I have not caught COVID-19, but this pandemic has affected my life. I am a living, walking dead. Everything was going so well before COVID. I was about to receive a promotion at work as a supervisor. I was literally in training for the position. Then the pandemic came and I lost my job at the call centre.

About 300 other employees were sent home because the client overseas didn't trust our country to work from home, so they lost that account. I then started to lose all my furniture. I sent out applications non-stop, but no one responded. I sold the furniture to feed my son and to pay our bills, so we only have the bed we sleep on, and I am still without a job. I finally received a call, did the interview, passed the test, and was told I would be contacted regarding training. However, two weeks have passed and no one has called. I tried reaching out to the company, but they kept saying they will pull my information and call me back; but they have not called.

I received an email that money was sent to my account by the Government. When I went to the bank, I was told that the money was sent back to the Government because I wasn't banking for a while. My three-year-old son keeps coming to me and all I can tell him is that I don't have any food, but I will find some. It has reached a point where the only thing I have in the house is myself and my child; not even sugar to mix with water because that is what we were doing before.

SUICIDE ATTEMPT

I have used up all my savings in paying bills. I never believed in bad luck until this pandemic. The stress is so overwhelming that I tried ending my own life by overdosing, but for some reason I woke up and I am still here. I am not in a rented house any more ,we lost everything. I am in a board room filled with big holes. Rats come in all the time, and when it rains, we get wet.

I am just tired and depressed, and honestly, I can't carry on any more. I am writing in tears. My life ended in 2020. My mother took my son because I had a mental breakdown. I started to forget to bathe him and I stopped eating. I started smoking to numb the pain, and I would just lay in bed, send out applications and cry. I did that repeatedly. I wasn't a smoker until last November, when Courts came for my stove. I still have the paper they made me sign. I paid a lot on the stove but couldn't afford to make any more payments. I sold the flat-screen television to support my son and myself. I am so stressed I forget stuff.

My mother does not have any money to assist me, and I cannot lean on her because she is helping me with my son. I should be assisting my mother. I pray a lot. I even read my Bible in tears. Please pray for me. I want to get a job so that I can care for my son. I write to you to vent how I really feel. Thanks for reading it.

J.

Dear J.,

I have observed that you have not said anything about your son's father. You have been struggling alone. Why is it that you haven't got any help form the father of your son? Your mother has tried to come to your rescue, so to speak, but she can hardly help herself. However, out of love she is doing her best to help you.

I know that there are many people who have lost their jobs in this pandemic and they are literally suffering. The psychological effect is devastating. This thing has taken a toll not only on people of your age, but also on older people. I believe every word you have said. While you were employed, you did your very best and you have not been idle; you have been seeking another job. I am really concerned about you, and I would love to help you and to have others help you. I have not seen an email address for you or telephone number. I would therefore suggest that you contact me at dumas.dearpastor@gmail.com or telephone me at (876) 877-1009.

I would also love to hear from your mother, so kindly send me your mother's cell number. I want you to know that I do not doubt what you have said, but it is helpful to have someone verify what you have said.

You may also call my office at (876) 929-1667.

Pastor