Okay, it takes a special kind of person — or in this case, a couple of people — to show kindness such as this.
Yeah, and this wasn't just any old blizzard. The storm created whiteout conditions and dropped a whopping 50 inches of snow on some parts of the city. The storm left many without power, and 39 people died in Buffalo alone.
Needless to say, if it weren't for Al and Vivian Robinson of Spirit of Truth Urban Ministry, the city would've seen many more deaths than that.
The couple, both pastors at Spirit of Truth Urban Ministry in Buffalo, New York, rescued and housed a total of 154 people in the last few days as a historic blizzard pummeled the city, leaving thousands without power, others stranded in their homes or cars and left Erie County with a death toll of 39.
"We just jumped into action and was able to deliver up to 154 people to the church, to not freeze to death," Al Robinson told CNN Thursday. "I wish that I could say that for everyone."
Once the couple realized on Friday that their church was one of the only buildings in the area with power they jumped into action. They called neighbors, posted invites to the church on Facebook, and then the people started piling in.
"It started with like, 10 people, two big families, and then it went to 30, then it went to 60, then went to 90, then it went to 100, 120, 128 was the last time I counted, but it went all the way up to 154," he said. "We had people sleeping everywhere in our church, but we were the only ones with the electricity"...
Al Robinson also stressed that of the 154 people who took refuge in his church, maybe three were members of his congregation.
"Honestly, it was total strangers. We had Asian people here, we had Hispanic people here, we had Arabic speaking people here, we had Nigerians here," Robinson said. "We had just every possible minority was in our church, and we were all getting together, we celebrated Christmas together."
Amazing stuff right there. One of the most genuine Christmas stories I've ever come across.
Hollywood couldn't have written it better.
One final line from the Robinsons.
"It's actually wonderful, because I have this huge family now that where we are, you know, trauma bonded through the storm and it's just, it's just beautiful," Robinson said. "These people are so filled with love… It's incredible."
Seriously, what an inspiring story!
My New Year's resolution is to be as kind and warmhearted as the Robinsons.
