Swandeh Terhide

In moments of significant distress, it is often the smallest gestures that convey the most profound messages. A former reporter, Deepak Saini, captured a heartwarming moment during a torrential downpour at a Target store in Kenner, Louisiana. Instead of rushing to their cars, shoppers were waiting out the rain when one man began to assist them by escorting them with his umbrella. This act of kindness stood out to Saini, who noticed the man, drenched but smiling, helping mothers and children carry their groceries to their vehicles. Saini described the scene, highlighting the man’s joyful demeanor as he repeatedly asked, “Who’s next?” after each escort. This simple yet impactful gesture resonated with Saini, prompting him to take a photograph of the good deed. He later shared this image on Facebook, emphasizing that in that moment, the man’s race and the race of those he was helping were irrelevant. The focus was on humanity and kindness transcending societal divisions. The post gained traction as Saini reflected on the current state of society, where racial tensions often overshadow acts of goodwill. He urged others to embrace kindness and let it serve as an example for everyone during turbulent times. His message underscored the need for compassion and connection among individuals, regardless of their backgrounds. James Varnado, the man behind the umbrella, shared his perspective with a local news outlet. He expressed that at the core of humanity is the understanding that people are just people; regardless of wealth or status, everyone can benefit from assistance. Varnado’s actions not only provided immediate relief to those caught in the rain but also served as a reminder that kindness can bridge divides and foster a sense of community in challenging times. Whatever you do this day, remember to Try A Little Kindness.

If Ellen Meharey hadn’t decided to make a quick sandwich before taking her dogs for a walk, she might have found herself rolling down her wheelchair ramp—right where a truck crashed on Sunday afternoon. Ellen, a resident of Tarentum, Pennsylvania, had skipped breakfast on her way to church that morning. Just as she was about to head out with her dogs, Joey and Bella, her stomach growled, prompting her to prepare a sandwich first. While she was in the kitchen, Ellen heard a loud screech followed by a crash outside. Rushing to the front of her house, she discovered that a truck had veered into her yard, damaging her railing and knocking over her wheelchair ramp. The vehicle ended up on its side, leaving Ellen uncertain about the driver’s condition, so she called 911. As she waited for emergency responders, Ellen reflected on how her choice to alter her Sunday routine may have saved her life. “I wanted to get something to eat before I took the dogs out,” she told reporters. “I just decided to make a half a sandwich and get something to eat before I went out, and I am so glad I did.” The driver of the truck received on-site treatment and was well enough to avoid hospitalization.

A woman experienced heartbreak after realizing she had left her wallet in a Walmart shopping cart last week, but her spirits were lifted when a family returned it to her, complete with all its contents. Shayna Keliiholokai was shopping at the Walmart in Kapolei, Hawaii, last Friday when her husband inadvertently returned their cart without noticing Shayna’s wallet tucked away in one of its compartments. Thirty minutes later, Shayna discovered her mistake and rushed back to the store, hoping to find her wallet still in the cart. Unfortunately, it was nowhere to be found. The wallet held not only her identification and medical cards for her children but also $1,612 intended for rent. Just when she thought all was lost, Shayna received a Facebook message from a couple whose son had found her wallet and wanted to return it. Later that evening, they met at Walmart, where the family handed over the wallet with everything intact. “They returned everything to me!” Shayna exclaimed. “I tried to give them $100 for their kindness, but they refused. I even asked them to let their son spend it at Walmart, but they still declined.” In the end, they exchanged phone numbers, and Shayna expressed gratitude for gaining new friends through this unexpected turn of events.

Two days ago, the host of the KaaTruths Podcast Studio, Amobi Armstrong arrived in the morning and was approached by a young boy named Issac, who carried a shovel and garden scissors. Issac greeted the host with enthusiasm, offering to trim the flowers and clear the grass, expressing his desire to make the space look nice. The host was impressed by Issac’s initiative, noting that it was rare to see a boy of his age seeking work instead of begging for money. As Issac worked, the host occasionally assisted him with taller flowers. During this time, another boy, who often came to beg for money, entered the studio. After greeting the host, he took his usual seat. Once Issac finished his task, the host playfully praised him for his efforts. The other boy, feeling overlooked, announced his departure while gesturing for money, but the host chose to focus on Issac. Appreciating Issac’s hardworking mentality, the host decided to give him more than just a small monetary reward. He selected seven pieces of clothing from his wardrobe—some of which he had never worn—and handed them to Issac along with 30,000 naira in cash. The host encouraged Issac to confirm his school fees for the new term and to bring either his father or the school’s bank account number for payment. Additionally, he advised Issac against adopting the begging behavior of the other boy and emphasized the importance of contributing positively to others’ lives. To further support Issac’s preparation for school, he arranged for him to visit a barbing salon for a haircut. The host concluded by reflecting on the value of contributing to others’ lives and how such actions are appreciated by those around us.

Richard Wah doesn’t have any photos of his high school graduation – that’s because he didn’t have the money to pay for a photographer when he was a teenager. Now that he’s 44 years old, however, he wants to give other kids the opportunities that he never had. Richard, who works as a photographer in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is offering free graduation photoshoots to youth who can’t afford them. All the grads have to do is send Richard an email, grab their cap and gown, and show up for the shoot. The photographer has even hired a barber and two makeup artists to spruce up the grads’ look. The Philly resident first got the idea for the free photos when he was riding the public bus and saw a group of high school grads sporting caps and gowns – except none of them had any parents or family there to support them. After snapping two pictures of the lonely looking teens, Richard took to Facebook with the offer. “I don’t know what your story is and why you can’t afford them, but if you TRULY can’t afford high school graduation pictures and live in Philadelphia, we are allowing you to PAY WHATEVER YOU CAN AFFORD for high school graduation pictures,” Richard wrote on Facebook. “You made it, you have graduated high school, God loves you, and he knows your struggle.” Since the photographer’s post has been shared 20,000 times on social media, he has reportedly been contacted by at least a dozen teens who are interested in his offer. As we pass through challenges, may we have the hearts to help those who still battle what we survived.

In a time of immense hardship due to devastating floods and economic challenges, Dr. Paul Enenche, a prominent Nigerian pastor, has stepped up to provide aid and comfort to those affected in Maiduguri, Borno State. Dr. Enenche, accompanied by his wife, visited the displaced persons’ camp in Maiduguri to offer hope and support to the flood victims. They toured the camp, interacting with the displaced families and assessing their immediate needs. As part of their outreach, Dr. Enenche and his wife donated a significant amount of relief materials to the flood victims. These included: Food items to help sustain the displaced families Beddings and other essential supplies to make their temporary living conditions more comfortable Medical supplies and equipment to support the ongoing medical outreach Utilizing their expertise as medical doctors, Dr. Enenche and his wife provided free medical outreach to the displaced persons. They attended to patients, offering medical care and treatment to those in need Dr. Enenche’s visit to Maiduguri exemplifies the power of the gospel when backed by acts of love, kindness, and compassion. By providing material support and medical assistance, he has made the message of Christ more accessible and relatable to those facing immense challenges. In a time of great need, Dr. Paul Enenche’s compassionate actions have brought hope and relief to the flood victims in Maiduguri, demonstrating the true spirit of the gospel and the importance of standing together as a community during difficult times.