And a Child Shall Lead

 

Richard Allen recently spotted three young boys assisting an elderly man off of a bus in Philadelphia.  As soon as the boys spotted the man having difficulty with his balance, one of the boys put his bike down and then the three helped the man hold on to his walker and gather his bags.  When the older man was steady, the boys went on their way.  Richard was so moved by the situation that he videoed and posted it.  Allen stated, “I wanted it to basically get shared to a lot of different kids that actually see this video to want to do better.”

Paul Guidry lost a big part of his throat to cancer.  In order to communicate, Guidry uses an electronic voice box to speak.  All is fine as long as the device works well, but the tube by his mouth cracks often and costs $3o to replace.  Guidry’s wife teaches at the Katy ISD Miller Career and Technology Center.  She took the mouth tube to see if a student would accept the challenge to come up with something that would correct the problem.  That’s where 18-year-old Jurgis Miksenas enters the picture.  Jurgis enjoys making things and wants to be an engineer.  Within three weeks, and the help of a 3D printer, a design was made and completed.  The design was modified to add a barb top so the top would not slide off.  The first was too thin so he made it thicker.  Then the top broke off and he made it stronger.  Jurgis also added Paul’s name to the voice box, in block letters, to give it a personal touch.  After seven prototypes, the box can now be fixed for around $4.  Due to his success, Miksenas will enter his design in the statewide engineering competition, although he feels like he is already a winner since he could help Paul.    When interviewed, Jurgis stated, “I’ve found my purpose and I think my purpose is helping people.”  He is already making plans to upload his design on the internet, for free, so others can benefit from the design as well.

 

Gene has dementia.  Every day, around 3:00, he decides to go outside and sit in the chair in his front yard.  That is about the time the school bus drops off the elementary kids in his neighborhood.  After getting off the bus, the children immediately run to greet Mr. Gene.  They show him their work, speak to him, and pat him on the back.  Each day Gene introduces himself to the children and seems like he is meeting them for the first time.  Megan Nunez says this has been happening for almost two years now. 

 

Whether young or old, may we look out for each other and develop a heart that instinctively wants to help.

 

 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

 

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Colossians 3:12

 

With Others in Mind

 

 

Sheila and her husband, William, have lived and served in Germany most of their adult lives.  The church they attend has opened a shelter for Ukrainian refugees. God has blessed Sheila with the ability to learn, speak, and communicate in multiple languages.  Every day, before and after work, Shelia goes to “translate, help figure out more permanent housing, acquire basic needs and play with the children.”  Since the younger and older men have stayed in Ukraine, the women and children are left to make decisions and seek safe places to live.  This week, Sheila and the other workers have also done the extras to show they care.  A lady went home and made a cake to help a boy celebrate his eighth birthday (after finding out at 11:00 p.m. that it would be his birthday the next day).  A blue and yellow bouquet of flowers, the colors of their flag, is in the foyer to greet the Ukrainians.  Sheila was also able to share the Bible story of the Good Shepherd with the children. 

 

 

Avi Schiffman and Marco Burstein are students at Harvard University.  Within three days, the two young men developed and launched a website to help with placement for the Ukrainian refugees.  The website, in 12 languages, helps refugees locate people who are providing free apartments, rooms, school dorms, and event resorts with available rooms.  Schiffman and Burstein are connecting people, in several countries and cities, who are offering and seeking help.

 

On Saturday, March 12, 2022, Sviatoslav Vakarchuk, a Ukrainian pianist and singer, gave a free concert for the people at the Lviv railway station.

 

Due to the urgency to escape, most women and children are leaving Ukraine with just the clothes on their back and very few other items.  As mothers exited the Przemysl railway station in Poland, they found strollers, blankets, diapers, and other baby essentials for them to take for their child.  What a much needed and appreciated gesture.

 

Sighetu Marmatiei is a small town situated in northern Romania.  Its northern boundary is the Tilsa River.  A small wooden bridge connects Solotyvno, Ukraine with Sighetu Marmatiei.  The bridge is a border crossing spot during peaceful times, but is now a way to escape the war in Ukraine.  The Romanian border guards and volunteers have lined up stuffed animals along the sides of the bridge, thus the new name the “toy bridge.”  According to a spokesman for the agency, “Each child who comes from Ukraine can take a toy from there, to enter the country with a nice thought.”

 

This week may we be intentional in looking for and finding ways to help lighten the load, encourage, and bless others.

 

 

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Matthew 25:40

 

Making Things Right

 

Sean Dietrich was at the supermarket and witnessed a scene that troubled him.  A young man approached the juice section in the store.  Just as an older woman was reaching for the last carton of pulp-free orange juice, the teenager reached over her arm and took the only carton that remained on the shelf.  The teenager then walked off and resumed his shopping, without even acknowledging what he had done.  Dietrich immediately noticed that the lady was teary eyed.  As he began to question what was happening in our society, another teenager entered the picture.  The employee had observed the situation and immediately went to the back of the store and retrieved another carton of the pulp-free orange juice.  The young man approached the lady and said, “We had some extra juice in the back.  I thought you’d like to have it.”  In addition, he gave the woman a buy-one-get-one-free coupon.  Then he handed her the second carton of orange juice and gave her a hug.

Due to the recent change of the way they do the order lanes at the local Chick-fil-A, Linda accidentally cut in front of someone when she entered the line.  Not the least bit pleased about the situation, the man behind her got out of his car and came to her car to make sure she was aware of what she had done.  It somewhat scared Linda and daughter Emily, but she quickly expressed an apology and acknowledged that she was wrong.  When it was time to pay, Linda also paid for the man’s order.  Emily wanted to know why her mother did that when the man was so mean to them.  It opened a conversation about “owning up to things when we’re wrong, and also being kind to people even when they aren’t kind to us.”  When it was time for the man to purchase his order, the CFA worker informed him that his meal had been paid for.  Linda recounted, “He got out of his car again, walked up to my window again, thanked me, and even shook my hand.  And?  He brought us a treat.”  As they left CFA, Linda prayed for the man.  Emily was able to witness how an act of kindness can change someone’s day.  Laura took a teachable moment to show Emily the difference actions make.  Laura concluded, “As Christians we are still called to follow the example of Christ.  Loving people the best we can, sharing His kindness and His good news as often as we can.  I don’t know that people have needed it more.”

 

Whether we witness the wrongdoing or commit it, may we be willing to do what we can to make things right.

 

 

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

Romans 12:18

 

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and truth.

1 John 3:18

Part of the Solution

 

Brian Haynes, pastor of Bay Area Church of League City, recently had breakfast with some of his pastor friends at Red Oak Cafe.  It is a good time of fellowship each time they get together.  After a few minutes of visiting, the men noticed an older man seated at a table by himself.  He had set up a sign on his table that stated, “Free prayers.”  The men then watched in amazement as people came to his table to be prayed for.  Some came alone while others came in groups.  There were men and women, employees and customers.  For the entire hour, the man did not sit at the table alone.  After receiving their request, the man prayed and then gently touched their shoulder.  Brian Haynes responded, “He’s not a pastor.  It’s not Sunday.  He’s just an older brother who loves God, loves people, and believes in the power of prayer on a Thursday.  He made a difference today.  It was simple but bold.  Strong older brother…I saw you.  You were an example to me this day.”

 

Recently, David Callahan went to eat at Popeyes Chicken in Bulverde, Texas.  Since the drive-thru had a long line, he decided to go inside to order and eat.  There were 5 people in front of him in the line.  The place was short staffed and between the long lines outside and inside the service was slow.  The manager was trying to help with both lines.  After ordering, Callahan went to find a place to sit.  There was not a clean table anywhere.  Quite irritated with the slow service and lack of clean tables, he sat down and ate.  Callahan then started to notice the weariness and frustration on the faces of the workers and manager.  Instead of complaining, David decided he needed to help with the situation.  He got up from his table and approached the counter.  When the manager asked if she could help him with something he said, “No, I want to help you.  Every table needs cleaning, give me a squirt bottle and some towels and I’ll do it.”  When the manager said he didn’t need to do that he continued, “I can tell how hard you are trying, but you don’t have the labor to get the job done, so give me the stuff and I’ll do it.  I don’t want anything for it.  I just want to help.”  Callahan picked up all the trash and washed and cleaned all the tables and benches.  When he returned the supplies, the manager was most thankful.  On his post, Callahan challenged, “What if we all just started helping some businesses that are trying to stay open?  Not expecting anything in return, other than we still have a place to go.  What if we became part of the solution instead of just talking about the problem?”

 

 

Do everything in love.”

1 Corinthians 16:14

 

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2