My Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

Now for something completely different. I have a book recommendation. 

The book I have in mind has helped me in the last few days and I'm convinced everyone would benefit from reading it. Not only am I confident that it will lighten your mood as it lifts your spirits, I believe it will also remind you of the Good that human beings are capable of contributing in this world.

The book is entitled The Day The World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, New Foundland. 

On September 11, 2001, when U.S. air space was closed after the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York and on the U.S. Pentagon just outside Washington, DC, as well as after the crash of United Flight 93 in Pennsylvania, 38 international flights bound for the United States were diverted to land in Gander, New Foundland. 

There were 9,651 people living in Gander at the time. Within a few hours, approximately 6,600 people from just about all parts of the world were forced to land in that same little, largely isolated area of Gander. 

What happened next is nothing short of inspiring. More than once in reading the book (which is a very easy read, by the way), I've teared up, not because of the terrible tragedy that set the stage but for the selfless compassion of the Newfies for the many people who were suddenly stranded in their little town.

I don't want to give too much away because the value in the book (as I see it) is not only learning in some detail about the genuine display of hospitality, generosity, selfless compassion, and concern but also, more importantly, letting the best actions of our fellow human beings connect with the impulses of our own hearts. 

In seminary our hermeneutics professor stressed that, in our preaching, we should always encourage the faithful to change the world. Well, through their actions, the good people of Gander preached the Gospel better than I ever could with words. 

And given all that's going on in the world, as well as in this country, it's important to connect with the Good. Beyond that, it's empowering. We can do Good. We can do awe-inspiring Good. And if we encourage others to do likewise, the impact of the Good that we do grows ever larger. 

You can change the world. We can change the world. It doesn't have to be this way. We can know an expanded world of warmth, compassion, and hospitality. We can know a better world.

In Christ's Love,
Mark Andrew+

"Anxiety weights down the human heart, but a good word cheers it up" (Proverbs 12:25).