RMCNews with Herbert Hernandez – Louisville, Colorado … Chapel Haven Adventist Church let the staff of Avista Adventist Hospital know that they were loved and being prayed for as the hospital reopened on January 18 by delivering snack baskets to the eleven different hospital units for associates to enjoy throughout the day.

Members gathered to assemble the baskets full of popcorn, bags of chips, fresh fruit, bread, and many other items for the staff members to enjoy. Each basket included a homemade card thanking the staff for their service to the community.

Herbert Hernandez, lead pastor at Chapel Haven, explains that the members were looking for a way to show support to their neighbors who have been through so much in the past few weeks dealing with the wildfires and their aftermath.  “As a church, we were looking for ways to extend our support to the staff for all they have gone through, and we were able to connect with Johnnathan Ward, Chaplain at Avista Adventist Hospital, and he commented that bringing baskets would be a great way to cheer the associates up.”

Hernandez added, “As the baskets were delivered on Tuesday, people were very grateful and elated to have people think of them and prepare a basket for them to enjoy.”

Donna O’Brien, a nurse who works in the nursery and NICU unit called the church to express her thankfulness, “I’m just calling to say thank you for your support and compassion through our rough time. Thank you so much for all you guys do. If we could say thank you altogether, we would. But this is one big thank you from us, and God bless.”

The staff weren’t the only ones who were blessed by this act of kindness, explains Brenda Lund, Chapel Haven member. “Our hearts were breaking along with everyone else watching those awful fires and our hospital being evacuated. We wanted to do something–anything! Chaplain Ward suggested food baskets for every unit at Avista Hospital when they re-opened. We could handle that. It was such a small thing, but it seemed to really make a difference to the hospital staff. I think we received just as much of a blessing for being able to do it as they did receiving them. God is amazing.”

The organizer of the making the baskets, Katrina Blankenship a Chapel Haven member reflected on the small act. “We seldom get the opportunity to express our appreciation for the blessings Avista brings to our community. Snack baskets are minor compared to their daily service for humanity.”

“We were blessed to be able to share with our Avista family,” Hernandez reflected.

–RMCNews with Herbert Hernandez, lead pastor at Chapel Haven Adventist Church; photos supplied