在辛巴威，有個年輕病人自殺了，因醫院距離甚遠，他付不起去接受心理治療的巴士車資。此事讓精神科醫生齊班達深感哀痛，便嘗試各種方法讓病人更容易獲得治療，於是「友誼長椅計劃」誕生了。他安排心理輔導員坐在社區裡隱密放置的長椅上，隨時準備傾聽與陪伴那些有需要的人。那他訓練哪些人當心理輔導員呢？社區裡的老奶奶！在一次訪談中，齊班達醫生表示：「這些老奶奶熟悉並愛護她們的社區⋯⋯她們有令人驚嘆的能力⋯⋯能讓人們感到受尊重與被理解。」

在尼希米記第3章，我們也看到一個由非專業人士組成的重建計劃。當時，耶路撒冷已成為廢墟，遭到周圍國家的嘲笑譏諷。以色列民清楚知道，他們必須重建耶路撒冷城牆，「免得再受凌辱」（2章17節）。於是，除了銀匠烏薛（3章8節）這樣的專業工匠以外，還有其他具備不同才幹的人，如區長沙龍等人，也一起參與這項重建計劃（12節）。

正如齊班達醫生看見老奶奶有影響力與憐憫之心，能改善對辛巴威居民的心理健康照護，願上帝也擦亮我們的眼睛，能看見每個人的特長。上帝賜給我們每個人獨特的經驗、資源與才華（羅馬書12章6節）。期盼你我都樂意被上帝使用，一同建立教會，服事我們的社區。

A young patient committed suicide because he couldn’t afford the bus fare to the hospital for mental health treatment. Distressed, Dr. Chibanda tested ways to make treatment more accessible. Friendship Bench was born, a program where therapists sit on discreetly placed benches, ready to counsel people with needs. And who did he train as therapists? Grandmothers! In an interview, Dr. Chibanda shared, “[Grandmothers] are rooted in their communities . . . they have an amazing ability to . . . make people feel respected and understood.”

In Nehemiah 3, we read of another project that involved unconventional groups of people. They understood that the city’s wall had to be rebuilt so they’d “no longer be in disgrace” (2:17). As Jerusalem lay in ruins, the surrounding nations mocked its defeat. And besides professional craftsmen like Uzziel, who was a goldsmith (3:8), others who may have had other talents—like Shallum, a district ruler—chipped in too (v. 12).

Just as Dr. Chibanda saw the influence and compassion of grandmothers to make a difference in mental healthcare in Zimbabwe, may God open our eyes to see the strengths of each person. God has gifted each of us with unique experiences, resources, and talents (Romans 12:6). Let’s allow Him to use us in building up the church and serving our community.