In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bethany Assembly, in Adrian, established “For Lenawee:” a community-minded collaborative to address needs in Lenawee County and beyond. Working in partnership with local warehouse Hope and Encouragement for Humanity (H.E.H.), For Lenawee has donated more than 16,000 3M Surgical N95 Masks to ProMedica Health System.
With shrinking inventories of medical supplies, health care systems across the country find themselves rationing vital personal protective equipment. Following the announcement that surgical masks from H.E.H. had been delivered to Bethany Assembly, Lead Pastor Brian Henley began fielding calls from across the United States. “The Church received calls from as far as Georgia from hospital systems and personally, from nurses and patients asking for help,” said Henley.
Pastor Brian discovered the supply just days after his wife, Kasha, had been on a call with hospital leaders asking what the church could do to practically respond to the need. “I figured Bethany would just begin sewing the masks by hand if that’s what it took,” Mrs. Henley said.
The couple was at the warehouse selecting canned goods for an upcoming For Lenawee food distribution project when they discovered several pallets of surgical masks, an approximate $24,000 value. “We were invited to look around the warehouse to select food for an upcoming project that H.E.H. and For Lenawee are engaged in. We’ve been preparing to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially, we were there for the food, but God had us there for another reason. This is a miracle that will save lives!” said the couple.
Not knowing exactly what was on the pallets, the pastor recalled opening one, unmarked box and discovering the supply of 3M N95 surgical masks. “I was in awe. Literally, just days before Kasha and I were talking and praying about how we were going to buy supplies to sew the masks…and then we walked into H.E.H.’s warehouse in the tiny town of Blissfield to discover 16,000 masks—the coveted N95’s!”
Bethany Assembly’s Communications Director, Tim Henley, was asked how the supply remained hidden for so long. “Smaller shipments—especially return shipments—are often vaguely described,” he said. “I know this from previous experience working for a billion-dollar food supplier and distributor. The bill of lading sometimes isn’t clear about what’s being shipped. This kind of pallet can be stored in a warehouse for years. It’s no coincidence God chose to uncover these surgical masks. It’s obvious that many prayers were heard and answered—prayer works!”
For Lenawee is a Michigan-based collaborative established to foster partnerships between non-profit and for-profit community leaders in Lenawee County. Visit For Lenawees’ website at www.forlenawee.com to learn more.
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Media from Bethany Assembly and the “For Lenawee” website.