Good Neighbors

During the week, Mark Bustos, a hair stylist, works in an upscale hair salon in New York City.  In May of 2012, Bustos, while visiting his relatives in the Philippines, saw children in need of a haircut, but that was a luxury in their family budget.  Mark asked a barber to rent him a chair and for a week he gave free haircuts to the kids.  He did the same when he visited Jamaica and Costa Rica.  Bustos responded, “The feeling was so rewarding, I decided to bring the positive energy back to NYC.”  Since then, on Sundays, his only day off, Mark goes to different parts of New York City and tells people, “I want to do something nice for you today.”  He cuts hair on the sidewalks for those in need.  His girlfriend accompanies him and asks the person what food they like.  While Mark is cutting hair, she purchases the food mentioned for the person.  Since people stop to watch the transformation, Bustos hopes that “others can find inspiration in the good deed, and be kind to those less fortunate as well.  Even a simple smile can go a long way.”

 

John and Stella Chan have been running Donut City, in Seal Beach, California, for 30 years.  They immigrated from Cambodia and China.  The couple is in the shop with the ovens heating by 2 AM.  They open at 4 AM and stay until the donuts sell out around noon.  Recently, Stella had a brain aneurysm and John had to work by himself.  It was obvious that he missed being with his wife, but the bills needed to be paid.  Every day, after work, John would join Stella at the hospital and eventually at the rehab center.  Dawn Caviola, a regular customer, decided to let her community know about the situation and ask for their help.  The plan was for customers to buy more donuts than usual so John would sell out earlier in the day and could go be with his wife.  Chan teared up when responding, “I feel very warm.  I can just say thank you very much.”  Stella has recovered about 85% and is now back and working light shifts.

 

Bear Taliferro Jr. had just completed two 14 hour shifts at work.  He stopped by the store to buy food for dinner.  In the checkout lane next to his, he noticed a woman with her young daughter.  The woman teared up when she realized she didn’t have enough money for all her items.  The lady behind her gave her a few dollars, but it wasn’t enough to cover the bill.  Bear went over, told the lady to go back and get what she really needed, and said he would pay for it.  Afterwards he said, “I NEVER stop at this Wal-Mart.  I’m simply saying GOD puts you where he needs you to be WHEN he needs you to be there.”   

 

May we, too, look for and seize opportunities to be a good neighbor.

 

 

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.

James 2:8