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Monika surfed the Web on the Coles' computer and found hurricanehousing.org, which linked her with a family in Santa Fe, New Mexico, offering a car and furnished two-bedroom guesthouse rent-free for a year. Neither the Coles nor the Sheppards knew anything about the Southwest or Santa Fe, but the Sheppards accepted the offer immediately. The New Mexico family sent the Sheppards money for plane tickets. After five days with the Coles, Monika and Jackson left Houston on September 5 for their new life in New Mexico. Christopher will fly later from Alabama after tending to his father, who was not expected to live.

Shelly Cole said that after the Sheppards left, she and Shane spent the day grieving after saying goodbye to the couple whom they grew to love. Monika e-mailed her soon after arriving with Jackson in Santa Fe to say that both Santa Fe and the house they've been offered are beautiful.

The Coles believe they were just following God's leading.

"We were obedient. That's all he required of us," Shelly said. "God will put the puzzle together. We were the link because God works through people. He wants willing vessels."

The Coles have signed up on a church list to take in another family.

Deann Alford is a journalist based in Austin, Texas.

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September (Web-only) 2005, Vol. 49