People from this past week

I mentioned that I participated in the Aurora Mercy Hospital National Day of Prayer event last Thursday. The other volunteer chaplains that serve there are a pretty cool group of people. Also present were several of the staff and co-workers. The event began with a story that was unfolding, even as we gathered to give thanks and pray for the hospital and staff.

On Tuesday of this past week, severe storms came through the area. There were strong, damaging winds, and a couple of tornadoes throughout the Ozarks. Parts of Aurora ad been hit hard and many people were still without power while we met on Thursday afternoon. Early Thursday morning an older man showed up at the hospital for breathing treatments that he couldn't do at home because he was out of power. 

Here is what was discovered that morning:
Although this was not his first time coming in for treatments, it was the first time he had mentioned that he was walking nearly two miles to come to the hospital for his treatments. On Wednesday evening, he walked home in the rain.
He lived alone and hadn't had anything to eat in two days.
When the Director of Nursing was made aware of his situation, she got busy!

First, he was given food to eat.
Then the kitchen staff got busy with what they had on hand and funds were used to go to the store and buy more supplies. More than a hundred sack lunches were prepared and then hospital staff and volunteers went out into the community to check on people and deliver food and hot coffee to some of the areas that were still without power. They found many older people that had been literally trapped in their apartments due to mobility restrictions and no elevators (power outage, remember) to and from their apartments.
Local law enforcement was notified so that they could make continued well checks on the area, and the Red Cross was called and were out serving in that area within a matter of hours.

That little rural hospital with just a couple dozen rooms really stepped up to serve their (our) community as soon as they found out that there was a need. It was a proud and moving moment to be associated with such compassionate people, and it was an honor to pray for them and to thank God for placing them in a position to show his love to our neighbors.

It was a pretty cool Thursday and well worth the exposure to other people!

Then last night (Friday) I decided to take in a Springfield Cardinals' baseball game. It was a double header. During the hour and a half rain delay (geez, more rain) I visited with a couple that volunteers at the crisis cold weather shelter. It was really good to run into them and talk during the rain delay. 
As the game was getting ready to begin, I received a text from another friend that had seen my FB post. They were also at the game. It was good to sit and chat with friends.

Today will be a nice day to get caught up on some yard work. It is sunny, but will only make it to around 65 (18c) degrees. The ground is still saturated from the week's rainfall, but there is much to be done. I'll take care of some of it today.
One of my hummingbird feeders got blown off its hanger during a storm, so I'll have to see if it is damaged. The feeders just went up on Wednesday and only took a few minutes to attract some birds. Most of our little friends are black chinned or ruby red throats, but I'm pretty sure that we've also had some Mexican violetears in the past. I hope we get them again this year.

It is time to get busy.
May all of your people encounters this weekend be pleasant ones.

John