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Hello Lisa,
Last Sunday the worldwide Christian church celebrated Pentecost. As I reflect on the early church account in the book of Acts what stood out to me was the importance of listening. I believe listening became the first spiritual act of many new believers. Their ability to hear the gospel in their own language drew them in and opened their hearts.
When the Holy Spirit descends on the apostles, they begin to speak in different tongues. People from many nations hear “each one hearing them speak in his own language.” It was a miracle on that occasion - a sign that God is breaking down barriers between people—cultural, linguistic, and national. It showed that God is accessible to all—not just the Jews or Hebrew speakers, but to "every nation under heaven" (Acts 2:5).
The ability to listen to disaster survivors—genuinely and compassionately—is deeply significant. Listening is not just a communication tool; it’s a form of ministry, healing, and respect. That can be hard for many of us who like to see how many squares of shingles we installed on the roof that day or if we hung all the drywall in one day. It can be hard for me too. It is tempting to be thinking of an answer or response.
Listening provides emotional and spiritual support for survivors of natural disasters who often experience trauma, loss of home, security, loved ones and disruption among their community. For many, being heard is the first step in processing what happened. Survivors may need to tell their stories multiple times, expressing grief, fear, anger, confusion, and sometimes even hope or joy. By listening, we can reassure them that they are not alone or forgotten.
So, this is another reminder to our volunteers that, when we meet the homeowner, to put the hammer or paint brush down—and listen. For listening embodies the love of Christ in practical, personal ways.
Listening embodies the heart of MDS.
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