We were very happy to hear the news this morning that elders have been
assigned to bring comfort to people in different areas of Manhattan such
as Jacob Javits Center, hospitals and Ground Zero. This was an experience
shared from a sister I work with in Graphics. Seven elders selected from
her circuit in Brooklyn are assigned to Ground Zero.
An elder from her congregation gave a report of their experiences. He and
another elder paired up to work together and were a little apprehensive,
not knowing what to expect. As soon as they started talking though, all
apprehension went
away, the brother said; "it just seemed natural to truly get to comfort
these men." Just shows how Jehovah's spirit can help us at the right time.
They started on the perimeters and went up to two policemen and showed
them scriptures of comfort and talked about the new system. They mentioned
that they would like to get in closer to Ground Zero. The policemen hugged
them, thanked them for coming by and said how much the men closer in would
need
to hear this. They kept going closer in and were able to talk to different
policemen and firemen they met. At the next perimeter was the National
Guard who said they needed special permission to go any further. They
directed them to the Marines office to get permission. When they went in the
office, the brother said it was the
biggest Marine you have ever seen, very intimidating. They didn't ask for
permission, just started witnessing to him; tears came in his eyes. He was
unbelievably kind and happy to hear the good news. He said the men really
need to hear this and said "Go back to the National Guard and tell them
you have permission to enter". The brothers went back but the National Guard
said they needed something in writing. At the same time a group of
clergymen arrived (they had previous authorization to go in). So the
brothers returned
to the Marine who wrote a letter stating they could go anywhere they
wanted to, then stamped it to make it official. The brothers returned to the
National Guard. At that time the clergymen were already back; they had not
brought any comfort to anyone, they were only there to take a TOUR! The
clergy asked the brothers what scriptures they planned on using, etc. The
brothers asked
them what they were sharing and they said "BOTTLED WATER". Then the National
Guard told the brothers even though they had authorization, no one else
could go in that day. So the next morning, bright and early, the brothers
arrive.
The National Guard told them that they were not letting any clergy in that
day. The brothers showed them their letter and they said, "oh, you can go
anywhere you want." The brothers said it is 100 times worse than anything
you see on TV! The destruction, etc. worse than a war zone. Rescue workers
looking like zombies working. They talked with a group of steelworkers
(all big men that would usually intimidate you) The men had tears in their
eyes
as they shared the scriptures and told the brothers that there was a place
where they really needed to go. It was a boat set up at the Marina for
rescue workers that were just burned out. The Red Cross was providing
meals there. They found it and said it would just make you cry to see the
people.
Men looking so lost, with their heads down, just not able to cope with all
that they are
seeing.
They just sat down with them and talked, sharing scriptures. They said
there was not a dry eye in the place. The men thanked them so much for
coming,
saying they REALLY needed this. The brothers spent a few hours with them.
They also met a man who drives a little cart that is taking bodies and
body parts to the morgue. He was just leaned over his steering wheel. They
asked if he was ok and he just started crying, they hugged him and he cried
unbelievably for about 10 minutes. After he pulled himself together, they
shared some scriptures with him. He told them how much he appreciated it
and how much people need to hear this.
>
So sure there will be even more good experiences with all the efforts of
our brothers. Just wanted to share this with you...
Gwen Nutter/Berenice M. Smith
Gwen works Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday
Berenice works Thursday/Friday
Reg. Opers./Clinical Development
Tel. 215-328-2244 Fax. 215-328-2198
HM-101