Week of Darkness

Carla is a quiet, determined woman who carries herself with resilience, even on the hardest days. Living on a single income while managing ongoing health issues, she works when her body allows and does all she can to remain independent.

After eight months on unemployment, Carla was relieved to find work again. But the new job came with a difficult reality—it paid $10 less per hour than her previous position and offered no insurance or benefits. Her employer allowed flexibility when her health required time off, yet reduced wages and missed hours quickly made it impossible to keep up with basic expenses. Before long, her electricity was disconnected.

When Carla arrived at Ashure Ministry, one week into living with no electricity, she carried the weight of trying to hold everything together on her own. She explained her situation quietly, unsure what options remained. Shasta listened carefully, recognizing both the urgency of the need and the strength it took for Carla to ask for help.

"You've been doing everything you can to stay afloat," Shasta told her. "Now let's see how we can get you through this moment."

Together, they reviewed her account and what it would take to restore her power. Ashure Ministry provided the assistance needed to bring her bill out of disconnect status, allowing her electricity to be turned back on. Shasta also made sure Carla regularly received groceries from the food pantry, easing financial pressure as she worked toward stability.

When Carla learned her power would be restored, the tension she had been carrying began to lift. It wasn’t just about the lights—it was about having one less crisis to face.

Because of your generosity, individuals like Carla can move forward with renewed stability and hope, even in difficult seasons.