Woman tries to brighten the spirits of local commuters
Nena Fowler’s warm and gentle smile shines brighter than the early morning sun while she’s at her post on Highway 80.
Each morning, the Haughton resident stands in the same spot on the grounds of Central Assembly of God and simply waves, even wishing some a good morning in her soft spoken tone. It has become a ministry for her, one that started 10 months ago when she said God called her to do it.
“When you love Jesus, you can’t help but love your brothers and sisters. These are all my brothers and sisters. You can’t live for Jesus without loving everyone.”
Fowler received permission from the church, which she is also a member of, to begin her ministry. She went to Lowes, bought some scrap lumber and hand painted signs that say things like ‘Good Morning’ and ‘Jesus Saves.’
There are also signs that remind people to simply smile.
“The smiley face is their favorite,” Fowler added. “This may be the only smile or greeting they get all day. I want everyone to feel like they are loved.”
While some repeat her waving gesture back, others honk as they pass by. Fowler uses that time to sing worship songs and pray for those on their morning commute.
“I am so blessed by my Lord and Savior that I want to share his blessings too,” she said.
Fowler can usually be seen Monday through Friday between 7:30 and 8:30 in the morning. Those five hours each week, she said, is a time to share her love for Christ and praise the many blessings life offers.
She can only guess that she has waved at “thousands and thousands” of people since beginning her waving ministry and Fowler said she has no plans to quit unless God tells her to.
