Dr. Tim Thayne Presents:
Service sometimes gets a bad rap. It’s what we get assigned to do when we miss a class or if we get in trouble. At times it is used as a punishment instead of an opportunity.
Unfortunately, because of this, many miss the joy of meaningful service. Through service we discover unique things about ourselves and frequently, it’s our own life that is changed rather than the intended service recipient.
The reciprocity of service is a unique side effect, one with powerful healing qualities. Families who serve together discover that they receive more than they give. Family members who are feeling inadequate or are struggling often find a renewed sense of purpose. They discover value they didn’t know they had. Many times lessons that parents are trying to teach their kids are naturally taught through experience as they serve alongside each other.
For several years, my family has helped in food preparation for a cancer camp for kids and teens learning to do adaptive skiing. Each year we provide breakfast and dinner for the camp, keeping costs minimal for them and allowing the camp to bring in more participants for the week. Many of these kids have had arms or legs amputated because of cancer or cancer treatments. Some have lost vision or hearing and need adaptive ski instruction and equipment to learn to ski. Many come from inner city Chicago and because of the changes that have taken place in their lives, their self-esteem and confidence are low.
When you lose an arm or leg, it is easy to feel your life is over. Each year my kids learn valuable lessons serving here without us saying a word. They watch the kids arrive and see the challenges cancer can inflict on bodies. As the week progresses, these individuals who have lost hope in playing the sports they love, find ways to be athletic again through the guidance of adaptive ski instructors.
One particular year a fifteen-year-old girl shared her story of losing her leg and how she thought her life was over. She had resigned herself to an inactive life and felt lost without her leg. However, after several years of attending the camp, she developed courage she did not know she had and with some adaptations, she found she could enjoy sports again.
During the closing banquet that year, she shared an experience she had with a small group of skiers determined to hike to a beautiful bowl of undisturbed powder. They had hiked for several hours which included taking her prosthetic leg off, carrying her skis and poles on her back and with crutches ambling slowly up the slope. When they got to the top, the conditions could not have been more ideal. After all the work and effort to get there, they were rewarded with a beautiful afternoon of skiing. She was teary as she shared this experience of progress and strength. She had never guessed that when cancer struck and she had lost her leg that she would one day summit and ski a beautiful mountain in Utah.
The next year we returned as a family to serve. We were heartbroken as we did not see this particular camper. Usually, we do not ask much because we know that sometimes cancer is terminal and life is fragile. However, at the closing banquet, we learned that another group had gone to the mountain summit to find the beautiful bowl again, but this time the purpose was different. Some of the camp counselors had been given the ashes of this particular girl. As per her and her parents request, she had asked that when she died that her ashes be spread across that bowl. She said it “was the last place she felt on top of the world” and it was the perfect resting place for her body.
The lessons that my kids learned from this experience were not given through words but powerful interactions. At times, each of my family members have struggled with feelings of self-worth and inadequacy. As parents, we have discovered an amazing tool: Service fills holes in the lives of the receiver and the giver.
The reciprocity of service is a beautiful gift that heals hearts and allows sermons to be taught that penetrate the soul.
Amy Dott Harmer serves currently as the executive director of a refugee service organization. Amy and her husband have four amazing children. She is an avid mountain biker and hiker and enjoys spending time in the Wasatch Mountains. You can follow Amy on Instagram and Facebook or for ways to serve refugees go to Serve Refugees on Facebook and Instagram.
Dr. Tim Thayne Presents:
Mike is one of those brilliant, self-taught, back end developers that you always hear about. As a youth he could trust that “My mother would love me no matter what . . .” When he isn’t cranking out new code, Mike keeps up on the newest technologies and every Tuesday and Thursday nights he trains SpeedSoft with his team.
Rafael has his degree in Marketing and Advertising and years of experience with our dev team. As a teen he could trust that “The most important thing in life is love, and the most valuable things are our family and friends.” When he isn’t working on making the website and mobile versions of Trustyy seamless and functional, he unwinds by exploring nature. His favorite activities are climbing mountains, camping, going to the beach, swimming, playing the harmonica and always learning new things.
Afton’s experience is in marketing and bookkeeping. As a teen she could trust that with her parents “Feeding the horses and milking the cow each day before school–not after–was a must.” When she isn’t busy with keeping Trustyy’s lights on, you’ll usually find her baking up a new treat or working on a sewing project.
Nicoli has a degree in Multimedia Production. She has worked with our team of developers for three years. She learned to trust her own parents when they taught her “Things won’t come easy and that working hard will bring me great blessings!” When she isn’t putting together beautiful marketing pieces for the Trustyy App she likes to take pictures, play the guitar, piano, and drums, and meet up with her family to laugh over the silly things they did as kids.
Adriano is certified in Analysis and Systems Development. In his family he could trust the fact that “One difficult experience teaches me that failure is not the end, but rather an opportunity for growth and learning.” When he is away from his work in making sure the Trustyy App buttons and bells and whistles are working properly, he likes to go to the gym, to the beach to surf, on walks with his dog, or go out with his girlfriend.
Lucas’s work experience is in User Experience, Interface Design and Product Management. As a teen he could trust that “In my home honesty was highly valued and lying was not tolerated.” When he isn’t at work making sure the Trustyy App is easy on the eyes, Lucas likes hiking, gaming, going out for dinner, and spending time with family.
Cadu has his education in Analysis and System Development. While growing up he could always trust that “My parents would be there to support from playing soccer at the park to learning to ride a bike.” When he isn’t making sure things are easily navigated for our Trustyy App users, he likes to play beach soccer and enjoy music of any type, but specifically rock, country, R&B, and pop.
Mike is one of those brilliant, self-taught, back-end developers that you always hear about. As a youth he could trust that “My mother would love me no matter what.” When he isn’t cranking out new code, Mike keeps up on the newest technologies and every Tuesday and Thursday nights he trains SpeedSoft with his team.
Roxanne received her bachelor’s degree in history and secondary education. She has worked in publishing and marketing for the past 14 years. In her family Roxanne says she could trust that “Her grammar and posture would be consistently corrected, to help her to become a lady.” When she isn’t busy writing and beautifying things for the Trustyy App, you can find her reading biographies, practicing yoga, or gathering the family to talk business, celebrate wins or just plain hang out.
Sidney has a bachelor’s degree in Web Development and has worked in technology for 16 years, building apps for the last 10 years. Growing up he could trust that “It was always expected that I would fix anything related to technology.” When he isn’t managing the development of the Trustyy App, you will find him spending time with his wife and kids. He loves to make Brazillian BBQ with his family.
Jim has a degree in Design and over 25 years of experience creating SaaS products and managing talented product and development teams. In his years at home as the oldest of five he could trust that “Each child got a weekly ‘night-up’ where we got to stay up late with a parent and do anything we wanted with them.” When he isn’t looking 10 miles down the road for what will come next on the Trustyy App, you will find Jim canyoneering, doing photography, watercolor painting, or keeping up on the latest gadgets and technologies.
Eric earned his degree in Communications, Public Relations and Advertising, then added on an MBA. He says he could trust that “His parents were honest people who kept their commitments–especially to their kids.” When Eric isn’t keeping everyone at Trustyy on task, he is an outdoor enthusiast, year around, rain or shine, cold or hot, with biking in the summer and skiing in the winter.
Tim earned masters and doctoral degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy, and has 30 years of experience working with families. While growing up Tim says he could trust that “My mother would love me no matter what, and that my dad would require that I respect my mother.” When he isn’t busy guiding the vision for the Trustyy App, you can find Tim working around the house and yard, taking care of his sheep, dogs and horses, or enjoying a game of Corn Hole with the family.
