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Volunteer Profile

Krystal Britton

Krystal started volunteering here in Omaha with Desert Ministries just a few months ago but has already made an impact on my life. She is meeting with Bill at an Omaha nursing home. While visiting with her and Bill, I could see what great friends they were going to be. Bill seemed to glow as Krystal spoke with him, asking about his life. Krystal is truly intent on being a good listener as well as sharing her life with Bill. It reminded me of a relationship between a grandpa and granddaughter. They joked, shared scripture, and just bantered.

Krystal had also shared a very touching story with me. While visiting her father in a rehab facility in another state, she noticed the man in the next bed in her father’s room. He would go on and on shouting incoherently. Krystal was told he had had a stroke and was unable to communicate. She decided to try to talk with him. Approaching his bed she told the man that if he would be patient with her she would listen and try to understand what he was saying.

After a while she learned that this man’s wife was in a hospital just a few blocks from him, in fact, he could see the building from his window. Krystal asked if he would like her to visit his wife. He of course, was thrilled to have her go. Krystal took his picture and took it to give the man’s wife. You can imagine the wife’s reaction; she was thrilled. Krystal then took the woman’s picture and brought it back to her new friend. He cried, just to know she was still alive and now she knew that he was too.

Krystal took a little time to get to know this man and look at the impact it had on everyone. She also discovered that he couldn’t drink his ice water because by the time it melted they would fill it up with ice again so it was never drinkable. Krystal took a magic marker and wrote “no ice” on his mug. This simple gesture carried with it a huge meaning for this man. Just the few hours that we spend with our friends at the nursing homes can make a profound difference.

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