The Joy of Helping
The Amish don’t have insurance, so when they get sick, lose a house or a barn, or someone in the family dies, they must rely on financial support from others. Often this is accomplished through a community benefit auction. My husband and I have attended several benefit auctions, and it’s always heart-warming to see the large crowd of Amish who come out in support of others in their community with a financial need.
In our world we hear a lot about ways to become rich so we can provide for our own needs. But the Bible clearly teaches that a Christian’s life should not be all about money. It should be about the richness of our relationship with the Lord. It should be about the joy of helping others with a need. Realizing the value of people we care about is more important than all the riches in the world. Acquiring worldly treasures won’t bring us happiness, and love is never afraid of giving too much. Is there someone you know who could use some help? Is there a way you or your church can help that person with food, clothing, or financial support?
Whenever possible, I give to the GoodWill and the local Berks Women in Crisis center. I know for me, it feels so much better to give rather than receive. There are always people less fortunate than myself, and it truly makes me happy to give of my time and resources whenever possible.
Last year I was sitting in McDonald’s restaurant having breakfast before work. A homeless man sat to my right. He carried a plastic bag with just small change in it and a bottle of iced tea. I gave him a few dollars and a small, fold over packet of Kleenex, and you’d have thought I gave him a million dollars. He was so appreciative and acknowledged my generosity. Where others may have avoided him, I saw the opportunity to help someone I didn’t know. It felt very good!
We have a friend in our church who has a rare type of Lymphoma. She went through treatment which was aggressive cemo and followed by a bone marrow transplant. She was in remission for 4 months when her cancer returned.
During her first round of treatment a friend arranged a night of special music and evening of entertainment. Different bands and singers performed and a collection was taken up for her to help with medical expenses. During this second round of aggressive treatments and bone marrow transplant an account has been set up on Facebook and people can make donations through that account to help the family meet expenses.
I think that people feel BETTER when the community that they live in pulls together to help support them financially or morally. Donations of food, whatever may help. Our small congregation is always ready to chip in and help. The ladies furnish meals for funeral gatherings. Times and people have changed so much. I think that in many ways the simple life is far better than the stressful rat wheel many of us are treading today.
In recent months our community has had several tragedies, two teenage boys were killed in car accidents, 5 teens and several adults in our area have committed suicide, and adult and a child with brain aneurysms and finally most recently two huge fires in which the heat from them took out a family’s home and the Pregnancy Care Clinic. Our community motto is #salemstrong and it is so true, people, organizations and churches have pulled together to help all of those in need. People are ministering financially, counseling and just good old love. God is good and our sense of community is stronger now that ever.
Right now I am living with my mom and brother. My brother has a rare form of lymphoma. I wish I could help people out more other than prayer. I try to be in contact as much as possible.
Giving and sharing is definitely part of God’s plan. I pray I am able to recognize and act on every opportunity .
At our church, we have a list of several folks who can be called upon to provide a meal for a family in crisis or in need. Our bible study recently provided a “Thanksgiving in July” for a family who’s husband/father is terminally ill. At the time, they were not sure if he would make it to Thanksgiving. Praise God, he is doing much better, and is even attending a bible study with his wife. God is good! All the time!
I live in a area where a couple years ago we had lost a family in a house fire. Our local school started a program with a huge help from the community to where every family in the community received a smoke detector. And every year when we do the fire prevention program out at the school, the program gives the kids a battery to replace the one in the smoke detectors that we gave them. Also if someone in the community has a house fire they get a monetary donation from the program to help cover losses. It has been challenging to keep enough funds built to keep this program going but it seems the community pulls through and helps as much possible. I feel honored to help with the program.
I was taught at a early age to give and help others in need.
I can remember as a child filling my little red wagon with fresh picked produce from my grandmother’s garden and taking it to family just moving into community. It made me feel so good to know t
hey had a warm welcome.
I try to help people when I can. Not the best at helping others but if I see a child being hurt or someone that has opened a GoFund Me acct for some reason, I will donate. I have read a lot of Amish books and have always thought it amazing how they all work together to help their own. The barn raising get together soon, the quilt get together soon. So fascinating to me.
Past Thanksgivings I have invited a widow who didn’t have a family to have dinner with from our church to dinner. What a blessing it has been to give than to recieve’
Doing for others w/o wanting payback is a way to the heart of God. He says if we do for the needy and poor it is sending treasures up to heaven. Lately it has been my desire to do just that! I want to have treasures up there when I get there. I don’t want to go empty. Like the three that were left with talents and one buried his, I want to be like the ones that had more to give back. In my first attempt at being an author I wrote “Naomi’s Brand New Day” and it is the woman/ wife I’d wish I were. A very loving, giving person who teaches her children how to go out and work for others that can’t repay you, but need home repairs etc. that they can’t afford to do themselves. God loves a cheerful giver. I want to be that for Jesus!
I have a prayer request: My sister LindaBelle Meyer is a new author too, and we planned a special evening going to your Shipshe event, but Lindabelle found out she has 3rd stage lung cancer. She is doing chemo and gets very sick. Please pray for my sister! She writes about the Amish and loves Wanda’s books and friendship. She is a giver too and always puts the needs of others before her own. We need more people like that! Thank you for this web site!
I’m not Amish but here in the last month my husband’s been in the hospital for 4 days I went to the emergency room 4 days later he had been the doctor they had me back in the emergency room and in the hospital then they had to transport me to a bigger hospital in Tulsa where I spent nine days couldn’t walk I’m still trying to recover but our little church gave us money to help us get by I love our little church and I love God and appreciate him
The sharing and caring of the Amish community is one thing that not only impresses me, but warms my heart. Caring for others in need is being Jesus with skin on. Our church has a Helps Team that oversees our Food Pantry and manages helping with financial needs. Helping with food and money is not just for those in our church but it is an outreach to our community. God has blessed our church financially so we are able to continue this ministry to others. As the saying goes, God shovels the resources in and I shovel them out….. but God’s shovel is bigger!
Dear Wanda and Jean. I have been praying for both of you and as I read in a devotion the other day I am expecting to hear of your healing very soon. God will work His perfect will in your lives and honor and glory will be given to Him. As you have your prayer time, please remember little Gianna. She is seven years old, very dear to me, and is going through some very tough physical problems. I know God is going to work a miracle in her body. A benefit will be given for her in November to help with mounting expenses. My area is very good in helping others in need. As you rest, Be still and know that I (GOD) am GOD!!! All powerful, loving, gracious, right by your side. God is so Good! Love and continued prayers. Mary Ellen Grafton
I simply don’t understand why the world in general can’t understand this simple idea! Like they say, what goes around comes around! The Amish are a beautiful people.
The Joy of Sharing
In December 2012 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had a partial mastectomy, radiation and chemo. I am now in remission. I was so overwhelmed with the sharing of kindness, love and encouragement from my family, church family, friends and even people I didn’t know. Through my personal journey of sickness, God showed me a new ministry to other cancer patients. I have always felt I had the ministry to encourage people through sending cards with personal notes in which I prayed over before sending. Since my cancer journey, God has used me to encourage and uplift those who are going through some of the same things I did. We never know what a meal, cake, pie or cookies, a card, visit or just a listening ear will do for someone else whether they are sick or not!
Our Church has a program called Love In Action. We draw numbers and who wins the pastor gives us a choice of three envelopes with money or gift card in them. We choose the envelope of our choice and we go out to the public and find someone in need and either give them the money or buy for them what ever they need. And the following week we go back to church and tell our story of how we helped out that person or group. We also deliver day old bread to homeless shelters.
As the saying goes ” you cant take it with you.” The bible is full of stories about helping others in their time of need. There are plenty of people that I know who are in need. As an individual and a church, one can pray for them and help assist them whether it be spiritually or financially.
My family has been helped recently when my hubby was laid off and I lost my 30+ years job, due to an injury on the job, been working with deaf children…people have come to help me and my family. Now that our lives have been changed drastically and getting disability income has been able toallow us to give back. Its always a blessing to be able to give back.
I think the Amish have the right idea of sticking together and helping everyone in need.I try to help people in need as much as I can and to be there for family and friends for emotional and physical needs too.
My community has what we call a “treasure box” you sign up for it and it goes down the list. Its a tote box full of anything. Such as clothes for all, toys, food, personal items and knick knacks. When its your turn you take what you want and in return you put in what you do want or need any more. Works great!
I donate to Goodwill. I also donate books to the used bookstore in the library. Our church takes canned goods to the soup kitchen and families in need. At Thanksgiving they ask for donations for the Thanksgiving baskets going to families in need. At Christmas they have the giving tree with things they need for different organizations that they help. So we participate in all of them. It is nice to hear about communities that help each other out in time of need.
I try to donate whenever possible to Goodwill or the Salvation Army. I also donate to our Church, especially at Christmas. The Amish have the right idea of looking out for each other and caring for one another. It’s hard to help others when you don’t have that much yourself, but every little bit counts.
My husband and I receive great pleasure from volunteering with a local Christian mission that provides food, clothing, financial assistance with some bills as needed, Christmas gifts, household items, etc. We deliver groceries to shut-ins and have built a relationship with these same people over a matter of years. We receive encouragement and friendship from them even as we’re helping with some of their needs. It is truly a blessing for us to assist others.
The Amish have it right! Giving starts at home. I’ve always tried to give to those in need. A lesson learned early for my children was about 15 years ago when my son was about 7 years old and in Cub Scouts. A house in our neighborhood, only 1 street away, caught fire one night. The family couldn’t afford the electric bill and one of the 4 young boys lit a candle. The candle ignited something to set the house aflame. They lost everything … including one of their sons. Nothing can replace a life, however it was a teaching moment in love for others. The Cub Scout pack quickly gathered up donations and my son learned that giving up toys comes easily when somebody has nothing.
My home church sponsors a food pantry and a clothing closet. When I take my grandsons to church I encourage them to put food in the basket for the food pantry. When we outgrow clothes they go to the clothing closet. It warms a heart knowing that we live out Matthew 25:35-45 when we provide for those without.
Hi Wanda! I LOVE all of your books and would LOVE to win a copy of your newest book written with your daughter in law. Thank you for your awesome books! God Bless!
I posted a comment, trying to enter contest, but I can not find the FB post that told me what to do, I know it is something about pictures. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks
I really appreciate reading your books about the Amish. It is so refreshing to read about how they work together and help each other in times of need. I see this caring for others in our church as well. Whenever there is a need at our church, the people pull together to support and help each other. It is wonderful how God’s Word is practiced in this way.
Just wanted to say I am praying for both you and your daughter-in-law to return to good health real soon. I love the books you write and share them with others.
God bless.
Helping our neighbors in need by having a fun raiser for medical bills, or cooking a meal for someone sick, taking an elderly to their doctor’s appointment to name a few I feel is a good way to show God;s love to our fellow man and ask if you may pray for them when the moment arises.
Your Photo Memory pictures are so good and each one tells a story and I like them all especially reading to the children Rachel Yoder’s books.
I have been blessed, with the way I was taught growing up in a family with 5 siblings.
We all worked together, helped those in need, and became strong people believing God will provide, when we seek Him. Even as I have come along sometimes a heavy road to travel, God still provides when we see seek Him. As an adult, I have volunteered 15 years at a Mission , serving others. I also have given my free time to help at the Salvation Army Corps, answering phones, and directing folks, that have very little, but I smile and try to listen whenever any body wants to share their story. Just listening makes a big difference, when others are hurting so badly. God has blessed me indeed…… with love Nancy
My daughter has a friend who was the driver in a Powder Puff Chuckwagon Racing team and the last race of the season she had an accident with the chuckwagon and it fell on its side and she had a head injury. She was air lifted to a hospital a long distance from her hometown. After being in a coma for two weeks she opened her eyes and started to talk. My daughter made the long journey to see her after being in the hospital for a week. They had a group of people who gave the family money in order for them to continue to stay and be there with their mother and wife. I myself do not know her, but for my daughter’s sake I contributed and continue to pray for her and her family. I do make cards so I made her a card. This weekend they are having a breakfast benefit for her. She has a long recovery and needs everyone’s prayers. Continue to pray for you and your daughter-in-law.
I,ve always loved your books ,i try to understand how you can do simple things, like getting house work done everyday getting meals done, chores it seems so overwhelming to me. And the example of readinging after supper the end of the day with family is very encouraging. I have been sodown because i think i feel like i must do certain things and i cant seem to get there ,so pray that i can find away to follow the loed without thikinking i got to do it this way.
I go through my closets twice a year & donate many things to St Vincent de Paul. Also through church donate food for one of the meals every month for those less fortunate. I’m lucky that being someone who is retired can still work part time & am in good health. Feel like I am very blest.
It is more blessed to give than receive .
I think the Amish’s sense of community is wonderful. We try and help others in our small town as well. There is always clothing drives, especially for the winter months, and days of caring where volunteers work to help clean up or fix homes for those that have a hard time doing so themselves.
The Amish example is certainly one to copy. I wish I could put all the opportunities on my list that I would like to support, but they just will not all fit. My favorite gifts are the ones in secret. Sometimes I get found out, but usually they never know God used to bless them.
I enjoy your books very much. I have visited Pa. Amish area several times. I am amazed how well they work together to help each other. When I read your books, I think of the people I have seen in Lancaster County. Our church has a center, Hope Center where we give clothes and other items and witness to them when they come to the center. Our church is a very caring church and ministers to many, many people. We opened our first satellite church in January2015. Our next location will be a church in Mexico. Hope you and your daughter-in-law get well soon.
I am reading The Lopsided Christmas Cake now it is very uplifting and I feel that is how God wants us to be. Helping less fortunate. My brother is a minster and all his life he has been my rock in hard and good times.
I so enjoy your books! They don’t come out fast enough for me! lol I know it takes a lot of work writing, then editing, and going to your editor and finally be published!
I am praying for you & Jean that God will restore both of you to renewed health.
When my husband was sick and died many from church brought me meals. What really stood out is one lady called and asked what our favorite meal was and had anyone brought that yet. She then came the next day with all our favorites for dinner plus many snacks (most of which could be frozen and enjoyed later). I have carried on with that as so many people seem to bring the same dinner. And while that is always appreciated, getting your favorite or something different that you haven’t had yet is a real treat. I have also gone and took their children home with me for an afternoon or even a full day so they could have a day to rest, relax, visit the doctor, or do whatever they want to do and can do on a free day. It’s the little things and I never ask what do you need me to do – I just go in and tell them I’m making dinner, taking care of children, doing some laundry, cleaning their house, and doing whatever needs to be done.
It is more blessed to give than receive
I hope you and your Daughter-in-law get to feeling better soon and I will be praying for both of you………………. I do donate and also my Church does a lot of things in and out side our country.
I am sending out prayers for you and your daughter in law to heal quickly and recover better then ever.
I have started a group of quilters and we make quilts and give to children’s hospitals, urban ministry for the needy, and the children’s Christmas jubilee, as well as many other clinics and such. If we hear of a home burning down we give quilts to those unfortunate. I also seek out clothing for them. I don’t know about others but giving to others warms my heart.
When our daughter became pregnant when she was in high school she & her boyfriend decided to get married. He joined the Army. She continued to live with us because he was stationed in South Korea after Basic & AIT. As happens too often with young people they divorced when he returned from Korea. We don’t believe in government assistance when family can step up & help people in my daughter’s situation. I think if more people felt that way & felt like the Amish do, our welfare system would not be filled with generations of the same families living off government assistance. We have to help one another and especially we have to help our family members. We helped our daughter & our granddaughter until our daughter could graduate from technical college, get a job & become established.
I believe it is better to give than receive. When I can, I donate to Ronald McDonald House.
Our family did not have much when I was growing up. We were happy and had enough most of the time. We were taught to share what we had and help those in need. I realized how lucky I was and felt the obligation to do what I could for others. I have spent most of my adult life volunteering and working with various community organizations. Society would function so much better if more people invested in their community and neighbors, making the community a good place to live.
Among other things I do, I am a Red Cross Disaster Volunteer. Most of the time I am responding to fires in the community. We can help them with their immediate needs and refer them to others who can provide help we can not. I keep a box of children’s books and stuffed animals in my car. It is a small gesture, but they give a bit of security to the little ones who have sometimes lost everything.
It’s always heartening to hear of others helping out where they can. Reminds me of family.
Our church sends meals to families who have had a recent birth, or death, as well as to people who have had a recent surgery. It is a blessing to feel the care of others when you are ill or suffering. We really do need to be there for one another.
I have read all your books that you have written. I save them and read them over and over and then I give them to others who can afford to buy them. I learn at an early age that sharing things
and God’s Word was the Christian way of doing things. I send cards to all out sick and people in
Nursing Homes from our Church each week. I am unable to go to see them but feel that a card
lets them know that I am praying for them and thinking of them. Keep up the good writing
and I will look forward to your next book.
Our area is great about having benefits etc that help those in need. Wonderful way to see neighbors & friends while helping those who really need it.
Am currently on p 166 of Lopsided Christmas Cake-borrowed copy so I could read it. Super good book.
good thought on Helping those in need and what better time than now around the holidays to be reminded of this.
We are always donating clothes and items to the Goodwill or St Vincents. Then we go to church on a regular basis so weekly we are bringing something then we always have an extra collection on the 5th Sunday for someone. Then there is a house for teens that are pregnant so I have donated homemade blankets that I have crocheted to them. I also donate my dishclothes and hot pads to everyone especially when they have the crib set up in the back of the church. The for the church festivals I just donated 30 hot pads and 10 dish clothes and since they sold out the first festival I am expecting a call to get more. I have a nerve disease that I have had for 22 years that i am battling and for 10 years I donated 50 hrs a week to foster children then i moved to another state and decided that i needed to slow done and we still are donating or doing every week. Next week it is the chili cookoff my husband will make a large pot of chili and then they raise money that way for something. We never stop and we aren’;t doing just around the holidays we are helping year around. Even saving those boxtops for my grandson and mailing them to him to take to school. then we save the milk tops and send them to church. I had forgotten many things but you get the idea it is in our heart and to be working and helping other people who need it that makes us happy.
My husband and I are going through a difficult cult time financially right now. We are trusting the Lord to take care of the whole situation. But, as humans we sometimes have bad days and need to be reminded of just how blessed we are. This journal entry was that reminder for me. Thank you, Wanda!
I come from a small town and when someone has medical bills or their house burns down or whatever people in town always pitch in to help out with benefits and raffles etc. to help them with expenses.
Nothing brings more satisfaction than helping those in need. As someone reminded me long ago, there is always someone worse off than ourselves. To do something anonymously is even better and so much fun!
Wanda I have been praying for you and your daughter-in-law! I hope you feel better soon Love all of your books can’t wait to get your new book. My dad always taught me It is better to give than receive. Thank you so much for writing such wonderful novels.
I give as I am able, you never know the need until it arises, so it helps to have a listening ear when crisis comes. A friend is often the best relay to find out about community needs, and being receptive to being used is a gift in itself.
My husband grows produce and sells it at a farmer’s market, much of what is left over each week is taken to our church and given out to our bus ministry people or the Burmese/Asian church and others who haven’t got access to fresh produce.
Our church takes an offering for those in need on the first Sunday of the month after we have communion.
I donate clothes I don’t wear anymore to my manicurist girl who lives just across the order in Mexico andshe gives them to her needy neighbors. I like to think there are those who can use them.
It is not always possible but I give whenever I can. I donate food and clothing and give to charity. We give to the heart and cancer foundations.
It is more blessed to give than to receive.
I read your journal and Newsletter and copied the recipe for the “NO Crust Apple Pie”.
I just love the way the amish people really take care of one another not just their own families but everyone in their community. It brings me back to April 2013 when my mother in law suddenly passed away she had no life insurance and my husband and our family had no idea where we were going to get the money to bury her properly. It was such a heart breaking time for my family and we were just at a loss, we reached out to our family and friends for donations and support and then when everyone passed along our situation we had people we didn’t even know donating money and time and food to our family, and my mother in law was able to get the burial she would’ve wanted. It still breaks my heart losing such a beautiful and special woman, and I know my husband and our family and I wouldn’t have made it through such a difficult time without our faith in the lord and all those special people who didn’t even know us but wanted to help. I’m thankful for the blessings in my life and I try to always do what I can to bless others with any kind’ve help I can offer. God bless you & your family Wanda.
I love how the Amish always support their family and their community. Growing up on a farm my father taught me that we always help our neighbor. I can remember several times that we went to help. A fire. Bringing in crops. Food. Rebuilding a barn. I have taught my children these values as well. It is a true blessing to see gratitude and love on your neighbors face.
Very true- I am lucky to have a wonderful husband who I love and we try very hard to not make our lives revolve around money. I try to donate clothes etc when I can and love to help others in any way I can. Giving always feels good.
I have tried to teach my children to give, and to give quietly rather than to be seen. I was so proud when a family came to visit and the girls gave her a garbage bag half full of every barbie item they owned. They told us she was just so excited playing with them. The little girls smile said it all. The girls were young. I imagine very doll and item they had, came from a yard sale as we never had much either. We have been on the receiving end when God knew a need, and we have in turn heeded his call. It can be as simple as finding a item someone needs at a yard sale or a thrift store. Asking the school about families in need. We do as much as we can, and the Lord knows. it is not about how much it cost, or where we got it, or how often we give or help…it is doing it from the heart because we have that desire. I meant to add, the smile on my 2 daughters faces was wonderful too when they came in the living room, all 3 girls were glowing…from giving and receiving…
Wanda, Your newsletters are so inspiring and always worth the read….I just love your books and cannot seem to get enough of them read as I am still working part time in the medical field at age 77!!! God is good!!! All the time!!!!
Blessings,
Cairn
Many times I see people struggling and although I cannot always help financially, I try to help out with my time, talents and prayers. Sweeping the floors, doing the dishes or the laundry is often a big help to those who cannot do it themselves. Praying with or for the person and letting them know they are loved and prayed for often brings comfort and peace to those in need. As a librarian, I often offer to read to shut ins. Boy, that is the greatest thing….just enjoying a good book with them!
Wanda, I enjoy your newsletters. Keep up the good work. God bless!
I enjoy your newsletter. Keep up the good work. God bless!