Healing Presence

Each day seems to present itself with people and situations where help is of the essence.  Often, the requests are beyond  our ability to do much, so overwhelming is the difficulty.  One of my former students in Rwanda had set up a photo copying business, which was providing him and his family with an adequate income.  Two days ago, he arrived at the business and discovered that robbers had broken in, taken his computer and copy machine.  His business was sabotaged.  Being young, he failed to take out insurance.   He asked for $800.00...of course, I am not able to give it to him, especially as I'm traveling.  I offered him some words to soothe his panic and to remember  rely on God, who has brought him safely thus far through many an ordeal to reach this point in his life.   People who work in pregnancy centers, sometimes can offer only advice, and let the clients make their decisions.   In any case, our willingness to listen, even without giving the actual solution, can be a healing presence.  It's the panic that is worse than the actual situation.  All of us can be present as healers.
Bro. Rene