The Ballestero Blog

The Handkerchief Ministry

Whenever our church had a baby shower, or a special dinner or celebration that involved food, Helen Simon was the lady to see. If anyone ever had a gift of decorating and setting a beautiful table worthy of a Kodak Moment, it was Sis. Helen Simon.

She had been a member of Christ Temple Church for over 50 years. There are some people that would do anything to help the church and their pastor. That was Sis. Simon! She was a pastor’s friend.

Every special event found her involved. She worked long hours so that others could enjoy the occasion. On many such occasions, she brought her own “Old Country Roses” china from home, her own crystal goblets and cloth napkins with matching napkin holders and silverware. She spared no personal expense.

Diabetes was not kind to her. An emergency hospital trip provided the horrible news of the need to amputate her leg. Unthinkable, yet necessary!

Even though she was a senior, she was not happy about spending her remaining days in a wheel chair. But that seemed to be her lot.

Now her mobility was limited. There was no access to the basement fellowship hall. She couldn’t navigate the 2 flights of stairs. Her decorating days seemed over.

Not one to mope around in despair, she looked for something else she could do in the church that would be a blessing. What could she do? It was a process, just getting to church!

Finally one day she got it. She realized what she could do and be a blessing. She sent her husband Victor, down town to an expensive men’s store to buy several dozen of their best handkerchiefs. Then she washed them, and carefully ironed them. She folded them into a nice stack. Before church started she had her husband take them up to the platform and put them in the pulpit.

She said, “I might not be able to do much, but at least I can help my pastor when he preaches. If he ever needs a hanky, I’ll have one there for him. That way, I can help my pastor preach!”

What a Lady! Thank You!

I don’t know where all of the Helen Simons in our Pentecostal churches have gone today.

(They just don’t make them like the use to!)

Every pastor needs a Helen Simon!