By Karla Klemm — Grand Junction, Colorado … In the spirit of the sunny Western Slope, two Grand Junction Adventist Church members, Don and Dollie Bell, are set to visit all church members during the pandemic’s social isolation. They are “spreading sunshine to all of us,” commented Karla Klemm, who together with her husband, David, were recipients of their visit, May 23.

In the month of March, Dollie turned to Don and asked him what he thought of “visiting” all the church members, as she missed seeing them.  He said “yes” and that he “would even be her driver.”

With address directory in hand, they set out to cover all the zip codes.  “As I am writing this short report since their visit, they have visited a total of 60 members from the curb, with approximately 60 more to go,” Karla said.

Each visit starts with a phone call to announce their arrival. They hold a placard that says, “We miss and love you!” and give a wave, exchanging smiles and greetings. Sometimes they have a chat with the parishioners from the curb to their porch or hold a conversation by phone, as they sit in front of the house. Once their visit included a “socially distant” walk.

“It has been so much fun to see everybody well and we have considered it a blessing,” Dollie said.

Remarking about the visit at their house he received, David commented that “Don and Dollie have a gift for uplifting those around them and it was great to see them.”

Don and Dollie had planned to retire and move this October to a town near St Petersburg beach, Florida. Needless to say, those plans have been interrupted due to the current pandemic. As greeters in the church, they have enjoyed learning what is going on in people’s lives and now, driving to their homes has continued those efforts.  Dollie is happy that people have been so receptive and welcoming.  “They even met one young lady that hasn’t been to church for a while and she was so excited for the visit.  She now wants to bring her mom to our newly-built church, Karla said.

Don and Dollie’s spirit of community is a living example of what Solomon wrote: “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17)

—Karla Klemm is a member of the Grand Junction, Colorado church; she facilitates church community events. Photo by Karla Klemm