What was supposed to be a short trip to Blue Earth on July 20, 2017, for some camp supplies took a different turn when my vehicle broke down on the side of the road. The kids and I watched many trucks drive by as I was calling Christopher who was at an appointment in Mankato, 45 minutes away. I could not get a call through to a towing company since we were stuck in a rural area without a consistent cell signal. It was not long until Dwight Olson stopped by and offered assistance. He saw that it was a serpentine belt needing to be replaced!
He went and switched vehicles so he could legally give us all a ride into town. He dropped us off at McDonald’s and went to a previous appointment he already had scheduled. He gave us time to do our camp shopping at Walmart. He bought the belt and then he and his wife Lori picked us up to give us a ride back out to our vehicle. He and Dugan quickly had the belt replaced as the rest of us were able to visit with Lori in an air-conditioned vehicle. He was humble and could not believe that I wanted a picture with him and his wife, but I shared the story on Facebook so that every year I could remember that day!
Sidenote: It was a 90+ degree humid Minnesota July day and none of us had any water bottles with us. Now we seldom leave home without water!
Dwight is a busy man and yet he did not pass by someone who needed help. Too often I get too busy going about my scheduled activities for the day to even see a need in my children, husband, friends, or strangers around me. Once again as I remember this today, I am convicted to put on my “Jesus” glasses and see the needs that I can help meet in people around me today and everyday!
Our lives have changed a lot since this time last year, and I called Dwight to thank him again and offer them a stay up here at Gooseberry Cabins. He is still humble and thought that was too much. What can seem like a small thing to us when we offer assistance to someone, can seem like a major thing to the other person. Dwight helping us that hot July day was major for us and we are grateful to our good Samaritans’ Dwight and Lori Olson!