Blessings to you. When we help
someone in any way, the good that we do expands beyond what we
could ever know of hope for.
I was invited by the student
government class at Lewiston High School to discuss volunteer
opportunities. The students asked that these opportunities be
available during second hour of their class day, and in close
proximity to the school. At the time of my visit we had no
opportunities, yet I have learned to trust in God for future
offerings to help.
In short order we had two. One
was to weed flower beds in the front of a home which was being
placed on the market. The owner was pregnant and unable to do
this work. She had other friends who were also helping, and
knew what Interlink Volunteers could do to help. Within a few
days, fifteen to twenty students arrived to complete the task,
filling the neighborhood with laughter and enthusiasm. Goodness
was abundant.
The second opportunity was to
visit an elder, a retired pastor, who was ill and struggling to
maintain a good life. Both the students and elder asked the
same question “What would we talk about?” Perhaps the students
might ask Ernie questions, and Ernie could share his life
story. For many years, Ernie had been an art teacher at
Lewiston High School. I had known Ernie for a long time; his
gentle and loving spirit made me feel good just being around
him.
During one of these visits, I
received an email from a missionary in Haiti. I met her and her
husband at a mission fair at Congregational Presbyterian Church,
in Lewiston, who supported their work. Jolene wrote “Thanks for
taking care of my dad.” Several days before her note, a
volunteer had provided transportation to a Spokane doctor
appointment for Ernie. Wow! I did not know Ernie was Jolene’s
dad! Jolene’s email arrived during one of the visits by the
L.H.S. students, and it was obvious that she did not know of
these visits. I wrote to Jolene right then and both of us were
amazed at the goodness which crossed thousands of miles from the
students in Lewiston to the mission-field in Haiti.
Our volunteers share their
stories with me, and I share theirs, and mine, with you and many
others. As we share the goodness which each of us has, all of
us are encouraged to continue good works. Within our families,
churches, work places and communities, each of us has
opportunities to spread goodness. As we do, lives are touched
beyond our knowledge or understanding. I encourage you to share
your goodness, and your stories, today and forever.
Shalom.
Ray Rosch, executive director
of Interlink Volunteers – Faith in Action
