Low clouds hung over the old New England farmhouse and barn as we
followed Joe’s truck into the barnyard. It was late autumn, and the
glory of the sugar maples, birches and poplars had surrendered to the
rain. Joe stopped his truck, opened the door and stepped out—tall,
roughhewn and strong just as I remembered him from Blue Mountain Academy
where we had worked together on the farm. As Joe strode over to greet
us, his three young boys, Matthew, Jacob and Caleb, tumbled out of the
truck and followed close behind, eager to meet us as well.
After hearty handshakes and introductions, Joe and I headed off in his
truck to hitch up a cattle trailer, our kids raced off to the barn to do
the chores and Pam took my father-in-law into the house to rest. When
Joe and I returned ready to load the trailer, we were greeted by a
wonderful sight. As Dad emerged from the house and began walking
hesitantly toward us in the growing darkness, Matthew, Joe’s oldest son
of eight years, brought him a cane, grasped his other hand and carefully
led him toward us.
That same spontaneous spirit of kindness filled our visit with Joe’s
family and pervaded our whole trip to Northern New England. It is the
spirit that has attended us everywhere we have shared God’s calling to
us, and we thank each of you for your kindness and support. You have
opened your homes to us, at times even giving up your own beds,
nourished us with good food and provided us with employment so we could
meet our obligations. You have prayed for us, advised us, provided
mission supplies and given sacrificially of your means. One day, you
will hear the words, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least
of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” —John Lello
