Sara Hitzeroth
The first time Sara Hitzeroth saw God at work was in the eyes of her cousin Connor.
Connor was born with profound physical disabilities and lived for only a year and a half.
But in his short life span, Sara watched his enormous potential to share God’s love with others.
Remembers Sara, “I could see God in Connor’s eyes and knew God was always with Connor, me and my family.
“I could also see God in the people who cared for Connor, like the nurses and doctors. They loved him with all their hearts. This love came from God; I know it.”
Inspired by her young cousin, Sara signed up for a trip with Zion Lutheran Church, an ELCA congregation in Elgin, Ill., to volunteer at a Mexican orphanage for boys.
As she poured herself into all her duties, from pulling up rotted flooring to singing with the children and making crafts, she was struck by how she saw God in the face of every person she encountered.
Today Sara is working as an activity aide at a facility for people with developmental disabilities. She massages hands, teaches crafts and helps lead games with the children.
She is taking classes to become a resident care assistant, so she can care for the personal hygiene and other needs of the people who live at the facility.
“I can’t help but love my job,” she says. “I don’t know where I’m going or what I will be doing in 10 years, but I know God wants me here now. These residents need the love of God as much as anyone. Even with the road bumps these children face, they are so happy. Only God could put such a big smile on a child’s face.”
“I never really thought about God much in high school,” Sara muses. “However, looking back, I can see that I was doing God’s work just by being an open and good listener.” She notes in amazement, “God worked through me even though I didn’t know it.”
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