GOOD SAMARITANS
On Sunday night we experienced a tragic shooting here in Las Vegas. A 64-year-old man broke windows in his room on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel and began shooting automatic weapons into a crowd gathered at a music festival across the street. Young and old were either running or getting down on the ground, trying to get away from the horror. Updated sources report at least 59 deaths and at least 527 people injured. Besides the many courageous people who were helping on the spot, someone put up a page on Facebook where people could respond to say they were okay.
When a friend directed me to the page the next day, I saw that people were posting all kinds of ways they were able to help. People waited in lines for 6 hours to give blood; others offered their homes to friends and families of the injured; several hotels offered rooms for free. Scores of people offered free rides to and from the airport, and anywhere people needed to go. Counselors offered free counseling for victims as well as family members and friends. There was information on how to locate their loved ones. People offered financial help, food, clothing, childcare, etc. It was and still is amazing to see how everyone has rallied to help.
No one is asking, “What religion are you?” “What nationality?” In this crisis, humans are just helping other humans. I just read the list again before writing this article, and I was thrilled to see that the offers and responses just keep coming. Tomorrow Jane and I will go after work to deliver food money for people who’ve come here to be with injured family members or friends, or the poor people who will have to stay to be at memorial services for those they’ve lost.
What I’ve seen in the past few days has restored my hope in humanity. God created all people with compassion and the ability to do a kindness. It’s so good to see it.
In case you haven’t read the parable of the Good Samaritan lately, I’ve included it here. It would be a good one to read to your kids too.
And for those of us who live here in Las Vegas, the trauma is not over. People will need our help for weeks to come. Keep praying. The Lord will show us to pray for specific things. And let’s be alert to traffic because people will be working long hours and will be tired and maybe extra grumpy too. Also, I heard that the need for blood in the upcoming days and weeks would continue, and the need for physical things as well. So let’s not forget about it.
Luke 10: 25-37:
“And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.”
Love, Carolyn
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