A Compassion Vancouver leader reflects on the Clinic experience
Miracles
By definition, a miracle is “a surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency”. Compassion Vancouver was a miraculous event. We were taken by surprise over and over again. One of these phenomena was the ability of many churches to work together despite various denominational backgrounds. They were all willing to lay down the mantle of ownership and be willing to be part of something greater than the parts. When the time came, allowing churches to carve out a “name” for themselves, the Church would take on the name of “He who saves”.
Another gleam of the miraculous was the determination, commitment, and love that a group of people had in dreaming and working in tandem. Most of these volunteers took on roles and responsibilities on faith, as they had never done this before. They were willing to serve and willing for their service to cost them time and energy. Miraculous was the divine timing of things from the last week’s addition of two vision clinics to allow people to receive exams and donations that met the needs in just the perfect way.
The miracle that makes my heart smile is the willingness of people to love, serve and give of themselves with the heart of God’s compassion. The natural law is to hoard, to keep, or to reserve. Compassion Vancouver was a day of extravagant giving. The cultural bent towards separateness and isolation was broken. People served hand in hand with others believing with all their heart that their actions combined with the unabashed love of God that some of the injustice and evil of the world was to be abated.
“But the miracle that makes my heart smile is the willingness of people to love, serve and give of themselves with the heart of God’s compassion”
The Final Product
128 people had dental services, 125 medical/chiropractic/physical therapy, 50 vision exams, 150 haircuts, over 700 people served lunch. This was done with around 250 people representing over 20 different local area churches.
Miracles are always seen in the small. The holy is seen the menial. The sacred is reflected in the simple. Thank you for taking the time to help and give of your time. For your simple act was hidden a miracle.
It was a pleasure to serve with you all and everyone was amazing in their expression of the gifts and the richness of your hearts. We had an amazing team.
Other stories
