A young man in Zimbabwe committed suicide because he couldn’t afford bus fare to go to the hospital for mental health treatment. This death was an inspiration for his doctor at the hospital to develop a new program to make mental health care more accessible. The program was called Friendship Bench. Specially trained mental health therapists would sit at specially placed benches around the city, ready to counsel people who needed mental healthcare. The doctor used very special people as therapists: namely, grandmothers. The doctor said that grandmothers are deeply rooted in their communities and have an amazing ability to make people feel respected and understood.

In Nehemiah 3, the story is told of another project that involved unconventional people. They understood that the city wall had to be rebuilt so the city wouldn’t look like a disgrace (2:17). The damage to the wall mocked the city’s defeat. People with diverse abilities from the city were involved in repairing the wall. They included, among others, a goldsmith and a ruler of the district. These people had many differences, but they all worked together to rebuild the wall.

Just like the doctor saw the ability and compassion of grandmothers to make a difference in mental healthcare, may God open our eyes to see the strengths of each and every one of us. God has gifted each of us with unique experiences, resources, and talents (Romans 12:6). It’s time to allow God to use us to build up our church and serve our community.

WHAT HAS GOD LAID ON YOUR HEART TO DO FOR OUR CHURCH AND COMMUNITY?

WHOM CAN YOU INVITE TO JOIN YOU?

Dan Lindquist

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