A Hand Up
In the midst of all the bad economic news there are some positive stories. Like the story of Hal Colston’s Good News Garage in Burlington, Vermont, which repairs donated cars and then makes them available to people in need for as little as a few hundred dollars. Quoted on Oprah.com, Colston said, “In so many ways, people are just a repair bill away from disaster. The car dies, they lose their job, and they just spiral out of control. I wanted to do something about this.”
Or the story of Dr. Dan Bell and his wife, Suzie, of Eureka Springs, Arkansas. They started the ECHO Health Clinic in a church gymnasium to make sure everyone in their community had access to healthcare. Twice a month, the Bells and 250 volunteers provide free medical care, counseling, and hot meals. Dan Bell said, “We were looking at how you really live your faith. We’re at the age where you’re looking at, ‘Are you doing all you can do with your life and finishing strong?’”
Through the MB Foundation Giving Challenge, we were able to collect many encouraging stories of generosity! These stories spoke of generosity, concern for others, and the joy of being God’s hands and feet. Read more about it here.
According to an old article in the Wall Street Journal, the recession seemed to ignite a surge in people wanting to help others. Apparently, layoffs prompted some people to rethink the direction of their lives and seek greater ways to make a difference.
Have tough economic times or personal circumstances prompted any changes in your charitable activities or those of someone you know? How is God uniquely preparing you to meet needs around you through your specific circumstances, skills, training or possessions? Let’s live in a way that continually produces new stories of generosity!