3,794 days and counting
by Captain Enrique Coreano
Every day we have the opportunity to make an impact on someone’s life. In ministry, we should strive for each encounter to be positive, and throughout the Christmas season we know our encounters expand.
Last year my wife and I received a new appointment to lead the Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., Corps. To familiarize myself with everything the corps does at Christmas, I wanted to help with each aspect I could including reviewing supplies, picking up toys from donors, dropping off kettle stands, counting money in the kettles each day—basically helping in any way I could. Our seasonal and full-time staff assisted us in becoming familiar with how the corps meets the community’s needs. With this knowledge, I settled into a routine. I came in early and helped get the kettle routes ready to go out.
Along with my many responsibilities, I would periodically drive kettle routes which afforded me the opportunity to become familiar with our service area. I thoroughly enjoyed driving the different routes and getting to know our bellringers, some of whom have been ringing for us for years. It allowed me to hear their stories of why they came to ring bells for us and also other details of their lives like who was important to them. Throughout the season, amid various interactions, I was able to build some good initial relationships with our bellringers.
You never know what kind of impact or impression you are making in someone’s life until they are in need. Unfortunately, a few days after the New Year, we received a call with the sad news that a longserving bellringer named David had passed away. Through communication with his family, we were able to attend his wake a few days later. The family was very appreciative of our presence, and we were able to meet his extended family and share some stories about his time as a bellringer.
In May, I received a thank you card from his family, sharing how much they appreciated our support during this difficult time in their lives. His sister wrote, “Thank you again for being there for us and David and for your beautiful and sincere work.”
Being an officer is always being prepared to share the love of Jesus Christ no matter what we are doing.
