Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News

Today’s good news story comes from the Good News Network. Here it is with few modifications.

Christmas Spirit Enfolds Korean Tourists During Blizzard –After They Knocked on This Guy’s Door

Alex-Campagna-Facebook

A group of South Korean tourists narrowly avoided a ruined vacation, with good fortune swapping it for an unforgettable experience waiting out a blizzard and cooking with a New York family.

Traveling from Niagara Falls to Washington DC, a tour group of 10 South Koreans got stuck in a blizzard near Buffalo. Two of the group went to a local house to ask for a shovel to dislodge their vehicle.

It was Christmas Eve when Alex Campagna heard their frantic knocking on his door. Outside, he recounted on Facebook, was “the worst blizzard I’ve experienced,” and knowing the folly of trying to carry on, he invited them all inside, putting them up on couches, air mattresses, and sleeping bags.

“As a Buffalonian, this is on another level, the Darth Vader of storms,” he told the New York Times.

Eager to repay his kindness, the guests cooked several South Korean meals like jeyuk bokkeum, stir-fried pork, and dakdori tang, a spicy chicken stew. As it turns out, Campagna and his wife really like Korean food and actually happened to have some of the more extravagant ingredients on hand.

The Times reports they stayed Friday and Saturday. They swapped stories and even enjoyed some American football matches on Christmas Eve.

On Christmas day. Drivers came to pick up the tour group and took them to New York for some impromptu flights.

“We have enjoyed this so much,” said Choi Yoseob, a member of the group who described the experience as unforgettable and a “unique blessing.”

The Good News here is that someone had empathy for his fellow human beings who were in trouble. Today’s JohnKu talks about good deeds. I hope you have a very Happy New Year.

A Helping Hand by John W. Howell © 2022

Reaching out to help,

Someone who is in trouble . . .

Fills both hearts with joy.

 

65 comments

  1. Such a wonderful way to show that we are ALL in this together! ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    1. So true, Annette. Thanks 😊

      Liked by 1 person

  2. What a fantastic way to start my day, and I thank you for it!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Aww. You just made mine, Liz. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

  3. I’m suddenly thinking again of the two dudes in the F250 who happened to have a tow strap when they found me stuck in the mud on a Brazoria County road. It doesn’t take much to completely transform a bad experience into a memorable one.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. A great story, Linda. Thank you for sharing.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. A fabulous story. Thanks so much for sharing!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. So happy to do so. Thanks for letting me know you liked it.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Things aren’t all bad in this world!!! Thanks, John!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. If folks think things are all bad they just aren’t looking hard enough for the good.

      Liked by 2 people

  6. Love this story so much! A beautiful illustration of the true intent of the season….

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I think you are so right, Lori. Thanks for the confirmation. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Fills both hearts with joy. That is so very true. What a lovely story.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Pamela. I thought so too. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  8. This is wonderful! Thanks for sharing, John!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Jill. Glad you liked it. 😊

      Like

  9. Remember stumbling onto this story yesterday. Very cool.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I agree. Thanks, Charles.

      Like

  10. This fills MY heart with joy!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m glad, Noelle. It filled mine as well.

      Like

  11. Another feel-good story, John! What a big heart this man has!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I know right? I could not imagine having an extra 10 people over for two days.

      Like

  12. There are good people all over the world and they were lucky to have be led to that door! Great story, John. I need a tissue!

    Happy New Year to you and the family!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tissues are in the box on the bar. Feel free to help yourself to some and get some soothin’ syrup while you are there. Happy New Year, Deborah

      Liked by 1 person

  13. now isn’t that just dandy..

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Ha ha ha. Yes dandy.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Wow, this REALLY is a Christmas story! I loved reading this. Thank you for sharing, John. Happy New Year! 🎉🎊🎉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Gwen. Happy New year to you. 🥃

      Like

  15. This brings tears to my eyes. It’s just lovely. And to find out they were the “perfect” people with Korean food ingredients on hand during a blizzard haha!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I had to wonder about that. Looks like they eat a lot of Korean food. Also how did they get additional stock to feed all of them for two days. Maybe the roads opened. Anyway it was a good gesture.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. It was a great gesture. I also heard that their engagement or proposal night was a Korean dinner, and the Koreans tried to replicate the dish.

        Like

  16. Thanks for sharing this wonderful story of a real human being, John. Your Johnku is a significant statement.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Tim. Call me the old philosopher.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. I’d like to think that any American would have done the same, but my guess is that they wouldn’t. Blessings to Alex Campagna for his willingness to step up.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I think you are right.

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Okay…your JohnKu gave me a lump in my throat. Thank you for that. What a terrific story! We never know when we might have a chance to help others, even in a blizzard.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes indeed. I always keep the warm two hearts theme in my head when I see someone in trouble. Makes it easy to help..

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Well said!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. You’re welcome.

        Liked by 1 person

  19. petespringerauthor · ·

    Absolutely wonderful story! Love everyday acts of kindness.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I do too. Thanks, Pete.

      Liked by 1 person

  20. That’s a wonderful story, John. Good those people didn’t try moving on that night.

    Liked by 1 person

  21. This brought tears (of joy, compassion) to my eyes. Thank you for sharing such a lovely story, John.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Aww. I’m glad it move ya.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. That it did.

        Liked by 1 person

  22. I love this story. I saw it on the news. There were many acts of kindness over the storm days. I adore that there were so many good samaritans, and not just in Buffalo (where some died).
    A fab JohnKu to end the tale of a good deed.

    📚📖🐂💋

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Resa. 🦚 🐂 🦚 🐂 🦚 🐂 🦚 🐂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. OX OX OX OX

        Liked by 1 person

      2. 🐂🌹🥦🐂🌹🥦🐂🌹🥦🐂🌹🥦

        Liked by 1 person

      3. OMG! Is that brOccOli, the veggie with 2 hugs in it?
        How clever!
        With rOses and OX en.
        It doesn’t get better than this.
        Okay, I’m off to get a frying pan for the brOccOli, and a vase for the rOses.
        Now that the OX en have shrunk, they can just mill around with the cats!
        💋💋💋💋

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Look at my last comment. I have them litter box trained. 🤣

        Like

  23. Now if you’re gonna get snowed in . . get snowed in! Nicely done by everyone and thanks for the story Jefe.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yup. It is a good holiday story for sure.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Most definitely, thanks Boss

        Liked by 1 person

  24. Absolutely amazing. It was no accident that they knocked on that particular door. The Buffaloans loved Korean food and had exotic ingredients on hand? Then they got to experience authentic Korean cooking. So great.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It was great, Betsy. Thanks.

      Liked by 1 person

  25. I saw this on the news John. What a beautiful thing. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes it is. Thanks Debby.

      Liked by 1 person