Listening Ears and Hearts of New Friends

Recently as Dewey and I worked two weeks as relief coordinators at the Hendersonville Rebuild Center, we witnessed numerous acts of compassion. We hosted over 100 Amish young adults from Pennsylvania and Indiana who tirelessly worked to rebuild homes in our area. These two teams of young people skillfully used their unbelievable talents and energy to complete several homes damaged by Hurricane Helene. Each night they shared how their work was the hands and feet of Jesus that day. Their kindness, respect and smiles were contagious to us and the homeowners.

Each of the two weeks, the house parents told us they would like to prepare a meal and invite the homeowners with whom their team was working. Both Thursdays, we had several families join us for dinner. Not only were they welcomed warmly by our Amish youth but were served a delicious Pennsylvania Dutch family style meal. Also, the teams sang beautiful hymns in accapella, four- part harmony. It was a delightful experience. Then the families were asked if they wanted to share their experience through the horrific storm. One by one, they spoke of their devastating loss and how God provided for them then and now. There were tears… tears of remembrance and tears of gratitude. They were allowed to share their stories with the listening ears and hearts of new friends. These young people from another region of the US and a different culture genuinely leaned in to hear from these families.They will not forget and they will continue to pray.

What was done in East Flat Rock recently can be repeated and expanded all through our NC towns and communities. In each of our WNC counties, there are people whose lives have been changed forever because of the storm. They continue to hurt. Our churches who are neighbors to these families can minister to them consistently by being alert to where they are and how they can help. There may be furniture or household items that are needed as the family moves back in. They may need some trucks to assist with a move. Their lawn may need to be landscaped. They may need some meals during the transition or special help with holidays. The list is limitless but it takes open eyes and open hearts. Our NC churches can choose to show compassion to these hurting people.

I am reminded often of the verses in Luke 14 that say,

“When you host a banquet, invite those who are poor, maimed, lame or blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you.”

Our Amish friends exampled it well in Hendersonville. No other reason except genuine compassion… just as Jesus showed.