Help Your Neighbor (HYN) is a non-denominational ministry created to reach out to the community. People from different backgrounds come together, and work together for the same cause ... to help the community. Amidst the labor and meeting practical needs is a loving God who shows Himself strong through the hands of volunteers. The heartbeat of Help Your Neighbor is the volunteers who offer their time, skills, compassion and love.

The need is huge, but one family at a time HYN is determined to help. An example of one practical need met was when one home was leaking due to rotten siding. HYN repaired some soffits, vents and replaced some structural columns. A local hardware store donated all the materials.

The following stories are just a sample of how HYN has reached out to the community in Love, from the perspective of those who have chosen to sacrifice their time for others.

• A carpenter by trade, Hector Santiago reached out to a family from his church whose husband has been ill. “My satisfaction comes from helping someone in need. I believe tithing is not only with money. Tithing can be done with your time, skills and talents as well.”

• Brett Bicker has a heart to take care of a widow’s family. “Look inside yourself, so that you don’t get too busy about yourself only,” he said.

• When a widow he knew asked him for help, Wayne Thompson gladly pitched in. “Working and helping with and for those in need really makes me feel good,” he said. “Step out of your comfort zone and get involved.”

• Steve Slechta wants to exhort people to “try it out!” He goes on to say that there are good people who need help, and good people that want to help. “It’s nice to be appreciated,” he said.

HYN is designed to look after the community in God’s strength. One woman, who battled domestic abuse, wrote the following poem after years of ignoring her God-given gift of writing. Her abusive husband had told her she had no talent ... so she believed him. God gave her the courage to pick up her writing pen again, and this is what she wrote:

Warrior Women

Through these past years of pain and torment I had lost all hope, Starting a new life tough times make it hard to cope. The battle is constant in trying to look towards the future, Unable to erase from my mind the years of torture. But, in God’s plan He introduced me to the Warrior Women, Who have helped me see the reality of what I have been given. To walk a new path of freedom for my son and I, Away from the damage of my husband’s lie. I am thankful for these women of strength, wisdom and grace, That have truly shown the glory of God’s face.

Opportunities abound for those with the courage to look beyond themselves and meet the need of someone else. Is there a practical need you can meet? Do you have a resource that could help someone else? Are you able to give financially? Will you volunteer?

If you would like to know more information on how you may become involved, please call (407) 839-5507 or e-mail: general@hynorlando.com.

“We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ,” 1 Thes. 1:2-3.