 Image: Nathan Berning
“PREGNANT. HUNGRY. PLZ HELP! GOD BLESS,” read the piece of cardboard held by a woman standing shyly on the sidewalk in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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Nathan Berning and his wife Emily were winding down after a busy day when the couple exited the highway towards their hotel and encountered the woman above.
Seeing her sign, stained clothes, and baby bump, the couple immediately knew they needed to help.
📖 Everyone has a story… Nathan and Emily pulled over and got to chatting with Jewel, and as she shared a little bit of her current circumstances, they came to realize just how dire her situation really was. Not only was she pregnant and facing eviction, but she had lost her job a week prior and had to help care for her parapalegic husband, Rob.
Jewel is one of 10 adopted kids in her family, and cut all ties long ago – her and Rob were forced to take to the streets for money while she looked for a new job to support them.
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The pregnancy was no accident, however; the couple always wanted a baby but were told it was unlikely due to Rob’s medical condition.
So you can imagine how bittersweet the situation was… they were finally carrying their miracle baby, but were heartbroken to have ended up on the streets.
🤗💕 An act of kindness: “We offered to buy [them] dinner,” shared Nathan in a post describing the evening, “we walked across the street… we ate together on the sidewalk.”
Upon learning their story, Nathan and Emily decided to help beyond just buying a meal. They rented a room for Jewel and Rob at the local Holiday Inn for the night, then brought them to Meijer, purchasing more than $1,500 in gift cards to their favorite restaurants and supermarket.
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“Jewel started sobbing and saying that we were angels, and how we were the best people she had ever met,” shared Nathan. “She said people never do this and no one had ever done anything like this for her before.”
📝 Bottom line: From Nathan – “The main thing I want people to take away from this experience is that we should help those that are truly in need… no pregnant mom should have to worry about where her next meal is coming from… We can all do a little bit more for the people that are struggling in our community.”
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