Heroes of Orlando

Hero qualities popped up in Orlando this week. Due to the Pulse Club shootings, Paul Valo, pastor of Christ Church of Orlando -- one block from the Pulse Club -- closed regular services and opened a 24/7 food and break area for first responders.

Heroic restaurants, chefs, food banks, businesses and individual volunteers donated snacks, water and meals to keep feeding, air conditioning, and encouraging the workers in a battlezone.

Paul's leadership spun church heroes as volunteers and church staff took shifts around the clock while working their regular jobs.

Hero, Greg Zanis (of Chicago) built and brought 49 heart bearing crosses from Chicago and placed them by the hospital.

Heroes at the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre Festival, created angel costumes so heroes like Orlando Rep Artistic Director Jeff Revels could wear them. The costumes made a wall so the funerals could go on without the annoyance of the West Burro (typo intended because when you're an a** -- you're an a**) Church protesters.

First Baptist Orlando held a community memorial service where hero pastors from multiple churches spoke and opened doors to the families of the victims.

Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center had an all city service. Heroes Mayor Buddy Dyer, senators and city officials attended opening hearts and doors. People from all over flooded into downtown to pay respect.

Heroic newscasters and radio station announcers pushed through tears to report the countries most difficult news story to date.

Endless names of unsung heroes, the volunteers, those who left cards expressing grief and loss, random strangers, old, young, first responders, children, police, firemen, FBI, detectives, pastors, hospital staff, surgeons and the 53 while wounded, pulled bleeding victims out of the club.

This week our city demonstrated that we are not simply a resort town. Out of comfortable lives through streaming tears, silent sadness we morphed from the "happiest place on earth" to a community of heroes.

We didn't plan it. We didn't ask for it. It called to us. We took the call.

So, if you're reading this from another part of the country, know‪‬ this -- our city -- had multiple unsung heroes. A calling that resounds in a hero's heart.

Is this a celebration? No.
A recognition? Absolutely, as I'm sure out of the hundreds of hero's no one desired the title.
They just did it.

On this Fathers Day, there are fathers mourning the loss of their children -- Children mourning the loss of their fathers.

On this Father's Day -- We Reflect -- We give thanks for -- The Heroes Of Orlando.
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by Lynda Stein

Writer, Actor, Speaker Lynda Stein is the Creative Director and Producer for Summer Drama Camp (Orlando).
Lynda is on the front lines volunteering along with those mentioned in her story.

We thank her for sharing this inside look at what you may have missed in the sound bites and shocking headlines. We pray for Orlando.
Please join us.

A Gentle Answer Ministries
~A gentle answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger.~ Proverbs 15:1