When Iesha returned to College Station a few years ago, she carried nothing with her but the clothes on her back and the quiet strength to begin again. She had just fled a toxic relationship that drained her of nearly everything: safety, stability, dignity. She needed new hope, which she found when her sister invited her to New Victory Temple Church on Detroit Street. There, she was welcomed just as she was, a woman hurting and in need of healing. Through the love of this faithful community, Iesha gave her life to Christ in April 2024. Since then, her church family has stood beside her every step of the way. She now sings on the worship team, tutors kids in her neighborhood, and quietly serves behind the scenes, cleaning the church before and after services. She’s become the kind of servant-leader who gives to all those around her.
Iesha (left) with her advocate, Pastor Renee, in the church’s community garden.
One thing to know about Iesha: she works hard! She worked long hours for low pay, scrimping and saving every dollar she made at her fast food job. Her dream? To buy a car, not for comfort but for opportunity. She found a better job in home health care, one that could finally give her a financial foothold, but it required a vehicle. So she did what so many in her situation do: she took her $3,000 in savings and went to a used car lot. But the salesman was a scammer. This crooked dealer took her money and gave her a used up lemon of a vehicle that broke down a short time later. Just like that, her dream, and everything she had sacrificed to reach it, was gone. Stories like this happen far too often in the low-end used car market, and they hit people who can least afford the loss.
Fortunately, Iesha’s pastor, Renee, saw the quiet perseverance behind her pain and nominated her to OnRamp. Even without a vehicle, even while working full time, Iesha completed every step we required, including budgeting classes she had to complete while working full time with no transportation! But she kept showing up and doing the work.
Iesha (middle) receiving the keys to her new OnRamp Corolla from her advocates, Renee and Fred Alsandor
So last week, OnRamp showed up! In one of the most moving vehicle donations we’ve ever been part of, the entire congregation of New Victory gathered to surprise Iesha with a reliable Toyota Corolla. She named it “Favor” because that’s what she sees when she looks at it. Not a car, but an opportunity for a better future. Now she’s driving to work, growing in her new role in home health care. She’s giving rides to other church members who don’t have transportation of their own. She’s serving the same way she always has, but with greater freedom, and a heart full of gratitude.
When a hard rain blew through this week, she stayed dry while driving home. Last time it rained like that, she had to walk, soaked to the skin, her shoes ruined. This time, she smiled.
On a personal note, I (Blake) have overseen more than 230 donations through OnRamp, but I’ve never seen a moment like this. The church didn’t just show up, they worshiped. As Iesha stood beside her car, someone started singing. Others joined. They laid hands on her. They prayed over her, and over the car. They cried with her. What we gave Iesha that day felt small next to the tidal wave of love pouring out from her church family. This is the way it should be. This is the body of Christ at its most beautiful.
The church spontaneously laying hands on Iesha and her new car, “Favor,” thanking God and asking for His protection.
If you want to help us serve more women like Iesha, and partner with more churches like New Victory, please consider making a donation at onramptx.org/give