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A SANDWICH SAVED MY LIFE: HOW SERENDIPITY AND THE UNIVERSE’S BENEVOLENCE PROTECTED ELLEN MEHAREY

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.

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Heartwarming Redemption: The Wallet That Brought Friends Together

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.

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KAA DECLARED: ISSAC’S LIFE MAY JUST BE ABOUT TO CHANGE FOR GOOD

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.

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From Struggle to Support: A Photographer’s Mission to Empower Grads

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.

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DR. PAUL ENENCHE BRINGS HOPE AND RELIEF TO MAIDUGURI FLOOD VICTIMS

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.

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FLIGHT ATTENDANT’S INSTINCTS SAVE TRAFFICKED TEEN

A quick-thinking flight attendant, Shelia Fredrick, rescued a teenage girl from human trafficking on an Alaska Airlines flight from Seattle to San Francisco in 2011. Fredrick noticed the girl, who appeared to be around 14-15 years old, looked disheveled and uncomfortable sitting next to a well-dressed older man. When Fredrick tried to engage the pair in conversation, the man became defensive and the girl remained silent. Realizing something was amiss, Fredrick left a note for the girl in the bathroom asking if she needed help. The girl responded “yes” on the note. Fredrick informed the pilots, who alerted the authorities. Police were waiting at the San Francisco airport terminal and arrested the man upon landing. The girl was confirmed to be a victim of human trafficking. Now attending college, the girl remains in touch with her savior, Fredrick. The incident demonstrates how much help we could be to others if only we considered other people’s affairs our business too. We cannot in good judgement, fail to mention the importance of flight attendant training to recognize signs of human trafficking, which has been implemented by airlines since 2009. Fredrick’s keen instincts and brave actions saved a young life from a terrible fate.

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GOOD SAMARITAN BUYS PLANE TICKET FOR SOLDIER TRYING TO SEE HIS FAMILY ON MEMORIAL DAY

Memorial Day weekend isn’t all just about barbecues and beach parties – it’s also about honoring service members who have fought for the values of our country. That’s why Josh Rainey didn’t mind spending a couple hundred bucks on a young service member trying to get home to see his family. Keaton Tilson, after being stationed in Fort Hood, Texas, was given permission at the very last minute to fly home to Granite City, Illinois and see his family for Memorial Day weekend. But after spending two days at the airport attempting to wait for a seat on standby, the Army mechanic was starting to lose hope. When Josh overheard his story at the airport, however, he offered to give his ticket to Keaton. The airport staff explained that their policy prevented people from exchanging tickets, but Josh didn’t give up. He then called his wife, who agreed that they should buy a ticket for the young man themselves. The ticket, which cost $341, was a small price to pay for the heartfelt hug, the memory of which will last Josh a lifetime. “He walked away and came back and asked if he could hug me, and I think we both had to fight back the tears after that,” Rainey stated.  “It was pennies, pennies on the dollar compared to what I got back from that hug.” A touch of a moment could sometimes last a lifetime, and this here too tends to fall in such direction. Let’s continue to dish out kindness where ever we go.

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FROM HOMELESSNESS TO HARVARD: NORMA HEATH’S INSPIRING JOURNEY OF RESILIENCE AND HOPE

If you’re feeling down about your situation, take a moment to reflect on the inspiring journey of Norma Heath. After losing her job several years ago, Norma fell into a deep depression, leading to homelessness and struggles with addiction, which prevented her from completing her education. However, everything changed two years ago when she discovered Rosie’s Place, a women’s shelter in Boston, Massachusetts. There, she received vital counseling and support. A pivotal moment for Norma was when volunteers encouraged her to articulate her goals. Her list included small, manageable objectives like attending doctor’s appointments and avoiding negative influences, but it also featured her ultimate aspiration: graduating from Harvard University. Recently, at the age of 51, Norma achieved that dream, graduating with a degree in psychology from the prestigious Ivy League institution. In her own words, “Some days, you feel like giving up. But people around us are going to be our cheerleaders. If I can do it, then you can do it.” When resilience if fueled by kindness, there’s hardly a thing that’s impossible to achieve.

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When Good Deeds Collide

A waitress who did a good deed for a pair of firefighters was overwhelmed when they returned the favor—for her father. Instead of a bill for their breakfast, Liz Woodward brought a pair of New Jersey firefighters a thank you note. They’d just spent 24 hours battling the blaze at a local warehouse, and the waitress wanted to do something nice for them. “Your breakfast is on me today,” the note read, along with little drawings of a fire ax and helmet. “Thank you for all that you do.” Firefighter Tim Young posted the story and a photo of the note to Facebook, urging people to eat at the diner where she worked. But then, he found out the waitress had a GoFundMe campaign that she was using to raise $17,000 to buy her father a wheelchair-accessible van. “Turns out, the young lady who gave us a free meal is really the one that could use the help,” Young wrote in another post. The firefighter’s plea spread like wildfire. His posts were shared thousands of times and 1,000 people donated more than $67,000 — $50,000 above her goal. “This is just one example of how so many people in this world have incredible hearts and they pay it forward, so the circle keeps on moving,” Woodward told news outlet.

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JONNY BENJAMIN’S JOURNEY WITH THE STRANGER WHO SAVED HIS LIFE

Nine years ago, Jonny Benjamin was perched on the edge of Waterloo Bridge, ready to take his own life. But fate intervened in the form of Neil Laybourn, a passing stranger who stopped to talk him down. Recently, the two crossed the finish line of the London Marathon together. Jonny, diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder at age 20, had reached a breaking point. But Neil’s compassionate words, “I really believe you’re going to get better, mate,” gave him hope. The pair went their separate ways, but Jonny never forgot his savior. In 2014, he launched a campaign, which went viral and reunited the two men. Since their emotional reunion, Jonny and Neil have become the best of friends and advocates for suicide prevention. They have met with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, who support mental health charities like Heads Together. Together, they ran the 2017 London Marathon, completing the 26.2 miles in 5 hours and 28 minutes. Jonny’s journey has not been without challenges. He has faced setbacks in his training and even experienced a psychotic episode in public. But through it all, Neil has been by his side, supporting him and reminding him of the progress they’ve made. As Jonny and Neil crossed the finish line together, they celebrated not only their physical accomplishment but also the emotional journey they have shared. Their story is a reminder that even in our darkest moments, there is always hope, and that a simple act of kindness can change the course of a life forever.

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