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My name is Darleen Barker
and this is my story. . .
I grew up in New Kensington. I grew up a church kid. My parents took me to church every week from the nursery crib well into my teens. My husband Randy has the same story. In fact it was in the same church where we met, the same church's youth group where we dated, and the same church where we got married.
Many amazing stories have been told from this spot. By comparison, I have often thought my own story was plain and uneventful. I just never imagined ever reading from this spot. I'm not apologizing for the lack of a dramatic conversion, in fact I am very thankful my parents raised me in a Christian home, got me involved in church and helped me avoid serious heartache.
Since the church had such a major impact on Randy and I, we desired the same for our four daughters. Knowing we were looking for a church with such an impact, friends familiar with Orchard Hill invited us to go to a service with them. Randy was hooked and started attending regularly. I struggled with leaving our old church, the distance from New Ken, the large size, not knowing anyone, not having a choir, and WHAT was up with that opening music anyhow? But the service grew on me and I found the messages to be challenging. Over time, not only did our girls enjoy attending, but they were very comfortable inviting their boyfriends - much to our delight.
Though we would attend each Sunday, we were not at all connected or involved. For three and a half years we would walk in and walk out, not knowing or talking to anyone. I gently pressured Randy (he would probably say I threatened him) that we should get involved. He took a chance and attended a men's weekend. He nervously left without knowing a soul but returned grateful for the men that made it a point to include him. The bus ride home placed him with Tim Zawodniak and Gary Clouner, who invited him to join a group of 12 men who meet on a weekly basis.
Last year our oldest daughter Nicolette and her husband Tom urged us to attend the new member classes with them and as a result, we joined the church. I attended a couple women's Bible studies. Wednesday NextStep became an important part of our schedule, which led us to involvement in a small group. We are thankful for the network of people that surround us and support us.
Our daughter, Brittaney, is a nurse working in the transplant unit at Montefiore Hospital. Her patients are usually in the hospital for extended periods of time. One such patient is Gina, who at age 27 had a multi-organ transplant and for the past 10 months has remained hospitalized as her body struggles to heal. Gina and her husband, Joe, live in Ohio and have 2 sons, ages 3 and 9. Joe took a medical leave of absence and uprooted the household so the boys could be near their mother for the summer. Joe became concerned about the boys' lack of companionship and asked Brittaney if she knew of any kids their age who could play and spend time with them. This question happened to come just as KidsFest was kicking off. Brittaney hesitated to invite the boys because of the many obstacles to overcome. Could Joe and Gina afford it? How would the boys get to camp? What about the 3 year old that was too young for KidsFest? Would they even be interested in sending the boys to a camp that was sponsored by a church? As Brittaney and I discussed these concerns, I started some investigation on my own. I approached our small group leaders, Pat and Chick Poshard, and told them of this family's situation. Pat immediately contacted Rob Bohnenstengel, our Community Care Pastor. He was able to get a scholarship for KidsFest and confirmed the youngest son could attend the Preschool 'mini KidsFest' that is available to those who serve during the week. My daughter Nicolette, having already volunteered to serve in this preschool camp, offered to take responsibility for the youngest boy.
With so many open doors, Brittaney told Joe and Gina about KidsFest. When they decided to allow the boys to participate they were overwhelmed to discover that it would cost them nothing – not even time. Brittaney, Nicolette and I coordinated transporting the kids to and from the hospital. Joe came to church with us for the KidsFest Celebration Sunday and was thrilled to see the joy in his sons eyes as the enjoyed the company of friends and the love and care of their leaders.
Gina remains in the hospital and her condition is still critical. Joe recently returned to Ohio so he could go back to work and his son could start school. The boys are still able to visit their mom on the weekend. Whenever he is in Pittsburgh, Joe and the boys have a church home at Orchard Hill.
This weekend, Ken's message is And Who is my Neighbor? I was asked to share this story as a demonstration of the impact one life can have on another if we are willing to look beyond the obstacles and not pass by the opportunity to extend ourselves to another. This story starts much earlier than the story of Gina, Joe and their sons. It began with parents who love and care, a friend who was willing to invite us to church; with men who befriended another at a men's weekend; with people willing to lead a small group; with giving that made a scholarship available; and the list goes on. You may never know the final result of a personal decision but you can be assured that giving of yourself in both large and small ways can make a difference. Others have the opportunity to experience the love of God, through the individual choices we make. I guess watching God at work is anything but plain and simple. My name is Darleen Barker and this is my story.
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