It's hard to remember now-but not long ago-only a few months, it was HOT in the Willamette Valley. Many of us have air conditioners to help us through the hot times in the summer. Or, we live in a house where we can open windows and get a cool breeze in the evening.

Some of us go to the coast when it's so hot. Or, we go to the local park and sit under the trees sipping cool lemonade or iced tea. Most of us have some way of coping with the heat by being able to cool down.

But, some people don't have those opportunities. One elderly gentleman lived in an apartment that was incredibly hot. There was no way for him to cool it down and he was most uncomfortable. Not only was he uncomfortable, but it was so hot that it began to affect his health.

One day someone offered an air conditioner to Love INC. And a volunteer offered to install it. He went and spent an hour or so putting the air conditioner in and then the man and he started to chat.

Hours later, they were still chatting and thoroughly enjoying each other's company. Our volunteer said that he loved the chance to visit with this man and was really glad that he was not only able to help with the air conditioner, but also able to make a new friend.

I'm not sure what our client appreciated the most-help with fighting the heat, or a loving person who spent hours building a relationship with him. That's what we always hope for when a volunteer helps someone-that a relationship can be built in the name of Christ. Thank you to all of you who deliver meals, or fix a bike or cut grass or deliver wood and do not only that, but also take the time to offer your heart to others.