In the 70’s, I worked for a telephone call center that would call and check on blind and disabled people, to make sure they were okay. When I would talk with them, one thing kept coming up over and over again: they didn't have enough help for their everyday activities. So, I felt a nudge from the Holy Spirit. I started looking for volunteers to run errands for the disabled, to get them out of their homes just to go shopping or take them to recreational activities. To read their mail, fill out paperwork, and take them to medical appointments. The need was overwhelming. I started this with my own money, but somehow God provided the funds and the volunteers. And they loved how they were able to help. It grew into a nonprofit called Helping Hands for the Disabled of NYC. We serve all five boroughs. We now have an Action Line where disabled people can call, tell us their immediate problem and we try to come up with a solution for them. I even wrote a book, Never Be Discouraged With God All Things Are Possible. We are not a religious organization but I definitely started this because I'm a born-again Christian. And I saw the need because I, too, am blind.
How Everyday People Live Out Their Christian Faith
Illustrating how men and women display their love for Jesus in their day-to-day lives.
Little things that may have an eternal impact. Might these stories motivate you to use your talents?
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I run a small pet grooming business. Sometimes, it's difficult to compete against huge corporations, but somehow God provides for me in the most intimate of ways. I still have concerns about the business, but even when I'm not sure He's looking, He lets me know He sees me. The other day I experienced a mini-miracle. One of my employees, who has become a good friend and has been working with me for nearly six years, decided to put in his two-weeks notice. I felt very discouraged but within the hour, my shop phone was ringing and a new groomer was asking for employment. Considering I've only had four people in my seven years ever call for employment, both the call and the timing was stunning. The next day, the groomer came in for an interview, and after about an hour of talking where I shared the amazing timing of her call, not only was she hired, but she was asking to come to our church. Frankly, I was shocked she was moved by our conversation. The thing is, I try not to proselytize, and unlike my former ways of reaching people thru apologetics, I now try to share Jesus through love and acts of kindness. I'm so grateful for this new understanding, and that Jesus uses me in this way.
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My passion for people experiencing utter darkness isn't something I ever thought I'd be in the middle of. In fact, I avoided vulnerability and sharing anything about the past with others like "the plague". It wasn't until I became a believer in my 20's, and ventured out to China with Youth With A Mission that Jesus began to soften my heart. He put me in the most uncomfortable situation. I was the oldest girl in that cohort of travelers, and I became this sort of "den mother". Initially I hated being in this mentor roll---but then as I took this crazy leap of faith in vulnerability, the girls just kept coming to me for advice. I'd listen to their hurts and fears and try to calm their anxiety, all while wondering why God put me in this overwhelming spot. Now I know without a doubt it was God's guiding hand that allowed me to see ways I could love others deeply. Most recently, I had a very dear friend visit who is currently wrestling with severe depression. It was heavy and I could feel the despair. At first, I didn't know how to handle it, but I just kept praying for wisdom from the Holy Spirit, the great psychiatrist. I felt a nudge to meet her where she was at, cry with her, listen to her deep pain, pray with her, and answer some tough questions about God like, "why would he allow this to happen to me". I didn't try to fix her. I just trusted that the Lord… Read More
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It all started in a trash dump called La Chureca in Managua, Nicaragua. It was the largest landfill in Central America. There, about 1500 people lived and worked everyday picking up recyclables, in horrific conditions. Large families were living in small tarp houses with dirt floors in the middle of mountains of trash. Children were huffing glue to fight hunger, and the smoke from the burning trash lowered their life expectancy every day. It was right there in La Chureca I felt Jesus' love and desire to give. The idea was simple---take portraits of families, print them, and give them to the families as gifts. I had experience taking wedding photos in the U.S. and saw the impact photos could have on lives. But for people who didn't have very many possessions, much less photos of themselves, the call of Jesus seemed simple---to bring a little light and a little joy to a dark place.
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I was an electrician for the first part of my career but in 2000, I injured my back and had to undergo major surgery. The surgeon told me I would need to find a new line of work. You have a lot of time to think when you're laying in a hospital bed and I started praying about what God wanted me to do now that I had to make a career change. It's amazing how you can "hear" God when you are quiet. He spoke to me, saying I needed to minister to people in hospitals. There was a guy in the bed next to me, a painter, that didn't know the Lord, so I thought I should get started. I began sharing what He had done in my life. And wouldn't you know it, he accepted Jesus into his heart! As soon as I got out of the hospital, I met with the pastor of our small church. He encouraged me to move to a larger church where there was a need for such a ministry. My wife and I searched for a new church and there again, the Lord showed His hand. The minister said they needed help with pastoral care, so I started making hospital visits. I loved it. But little did I know that the hospital visits were just preparing me for something bigger. I felt The Lord was nudging me to minister to people in nursing homes. That next Sunday, while I was helping in the church parking lot, a member started talking to… Read More
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I own a nail salon. In my line of business, customer service is key. I decided to open my own business so I could offer a smile and a listening ear to my clients. Often when people come to the salon, they've had a long day, are in a hurry, and are trying to treat themselves. They use this place as an escape. I am a Christian, and I want others to see that through my work. I have an opportunity to share my faith each day. I work six days a week and have chosen to be closed on Sundays for a day of rest, so my employees, my family and I can attend church. Few things are more important than the friendships we make. I'm thankful for this opportunity to grow with others and share my beliefs as I get to do what I love.