Great Story
I got this email from our new Makeover Team Captain Jeff DiQuattro, it was such a cool testimony that I thought everybody should get in on it
Wanted to share a story with you about a woman who I work with. For the last 6 or so months I have been getting to know the cleaning woman who cleans our building. She has an awesome work ethic and is Polish by heritage. Well about 1 month ago the subject came up of how depressed Buffalo has become and how churches were closing doors. Then I brought up the The Chapel at Elmwood and told her our short story of meeting in a theater and the recent purchase of St. Florians. She looked at me and said St. Florians, “I walk my dogs by that everyday”. She indicated how sad it was to see the church close, and to witness the constant decline of the area. She talked about her difficulties with the Catholic Church and desire to be part of a faith community. Obviously, I invited her to attend our gathering and she indicated she would check us out and bring her two sons with her.
After two weeks, I hadn’t spoken to her, and then yesterday we ran into one another (right outside the bathroom, oh God’s sense of humor). So we talked and she was excited about the article she read in the Riverside Review on The Chapel at Elmwood”. I filled her in on the current plans and again she said she would attend and bring her sons. We also talked about how this was the first glimmer of hope in that area for the past 40 or so years. She was noticeably emotional about that area of town and the history of Buffalo. Then it occurred to me, that our church, I know it isn’t about a building, represents a huge amount of hope and light for people who have seen their city and community downward spiral. I could see it in her eyes, as she finally saw hope through the church being planted.
Then it occurred to me. ”The Chapel at Elmwood, is not just a church, it is a beacon of hope for many, many, people in Buffalo who have tried to salvage their city for the past 40-50 years. We have had a huge impact on people some we have seen and some we will never see. It isn’t about us, or our church, it is about how God has decided to use us to return hope to Riverside, and the greater Buffalo area. It isn’t even about what we do, say, or look like. The mere message of our presence is the greatest witness of the Gospel.”
Then it dawned on me, that if we are an instrument of God’s hope, there is an awesome responsibility and accountability we have towards those people and that community. It is awesome to have an opportunity to witness God work so up close and personal.
Praise God!
Jeff
Way to go bro!
