When I arrived before the doors opened at 7 am, there were already hundreds of people lined up outside. They were waiting to receive free medical care, vision care, dental care, mental health care, lab testing and a host of other free services. It was anticipated that over 10,000 people would take advantage of the free clinic. Although scores of those who came have health insurance, they could not afford to pay for basic health services. So the clinic was a godsend for many.
It was anticipated that thousands of volunteers would be there (including doctors, dentists, nurses and other health professionals) to meet the needs of the public. The clinic was featured nationally on Scott Pelley’s CBS Evening News broadcast. In addition, the clinic had the support of many local and national organizations.
Now why would all these volunteers go to all this trouble to donate their time and energy to try to help perfect strangers who could probably never pay them anymore than a grateful smile? The Bible says, “We love because He first loved us” (1John 4:19). When we have tasted the kindness of God, it paves the way for Pathways to Kindness for others. May that tribe, in this troubled world, increase a hundredfold.
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