Portis, Kansas, a town surrounded by wheat fields in the north central part of the state, knows what harvest time means. And when the Mid-West Operation Barnabas team, a ministry sponsored by CE National, rolled its big blue bus into town, harvest was in full swing – in more ways than one.
The people of Portis were still reeling from a late March when Scott Noel was murdered during what appeared to be a random burglary in his home. The entire community grieved deeply, and the Grace Brethren Church in Portis was especially affected because of the members’ close relation to the victim.
The team jumped into action. Friday, they hosted an outreach park program for the 4th of July celebration. On Saturday, they helped promote and decorate for the Vacation Bible School that was scheduled for the next week. As their time in Portis progressed, the attachment between the team and the church grew.
But the real transition, according to OB Leader Jacinda Gillette, took place Saturday night during a big cookout the church planned with the host families. It was there that both groups just “hung out on the farm and spent time together,” says Jacinda.
Despite their pain and loss, Scott’s sister and her family reached out and loved the OB students as an extension of the grace and healing process God has been continuing in their lives. The girls who stayed with the family enjoyed an instant connection with them.
By Monday morning, when OB had to leave, the host families were asking if they could adopt the students. One family took pictures with their students in front of their fireplace. Pastor Dave Sarver and his wife distributed blue wristbands, worn by many in Portis in Scott’s memory, which say, “Scott’s Prayer Team.” Each member of the team received one because the church now considers them to be part of the community.
Scott’s family shed tears as they held their OB girls and told them goodbye. They affirmed that anytime they needed a place to stay, they were more than welcome in Portis. Another lady said, “You all have become a part of us, and we hate to see you go.”
OB thanked the community and the church for their hospitality, and multiple times, different people from Portis came up and specifically said, “No, thank you! You will never know how much you have done for this community. It has been an encouragement to us, and we won’t forget you.”
As the Mid-West team drove away, the host families yelled to their students, “Don’t forget us! We won’t forget you!”
Harvest time is over in Portis for the year, but the harvest of relationships that formed and the bonds made between the people of the Grace Brethren Church of Portis and the students in the big blue bus will last, and will help to heal a hurting community.