Due to a conflict in our church calendar, we had to switch with another church and serve on the 4th Monday instead of our usual 3rd Monday. This ended up putting our day on the last full day at the Center before Christmas. Anne told me they were planning on having a Christmas party complete with gifts for everyone and we could lead everyone in Christmas Carols.
We cooked up a feast the day before. We had roast pork loin, scalloped potatos, our famous green beans and about a million Christmas cookies that were baked by the youth group during their Christmas party.
The first 15 minutes were the most intense 15 minutes I have ever experienced at the center. Everyone seemed to eat all at the same time. We were even a bit short handed, but it all worked out. Once we got past that first test, we could enjoy serving and watching.
I recruited on of our more outgoing workers to lead us in caroling. She did a great job and we had about a dozen of our homeless friends sing out like crazy. Everyone had so much fun, they loved singing loud and lauging all at the same time.
Then the gifts came out. In the weeks leading up to this day, there was a sign up sheet where everyone could write down a gift they would like for Christmas. Typical requests included, flannel shirts and hoodies.
Some how (I heard the Center got another generous donation, but I am not sure) there were enough gifts for everyone including any new friends for that day. They had a ball opening up the gifts. It was so nice to watch the genuine thankfulness on display.
When it was winding up, one homeless friend told me that when they heard that our day to serve ended up on the Christmas party, they knew it would be a great day. We have a reputation for excellent food. As usual, I was quick to tell them that we are simply using the money that God keeps giving us through the incredible donations and God is the one who gets the credit.
I saw Christmas today and it was great. We were certainly blessed to be a part of watching God move. The lesson - it is better to given than to receive.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Team work works again
Today we get to serve along side New Life church. New Life supplies the breakfast at 10:00, and we supply volunteers at 10:00 and lunch at 12:00.
It was a nice and smooth day for everyone. We had a few adults serve for the first time and a few regulars.
Things were so smooth, I was shocked to see that the sign in sheet showed 52 names of homeless friends for that day. We must be getting used to the crowds and know what we are doing.
It was a good day, again.
The lesson - not sure, but it could be to keep on keeping on and it will get easier.
It was a nice and smooth day for everyone. We had a few adults serve for the first time and a few regulars.
Things were so smooth, I was shocked to see that the sign in sheet showed 52 names of homeless friends for that day. We must be getting used to the crowds and know what we are doing.
It was a good day, again.
The lesson - not sure, but it could be to keep on keeping on and it will get easier.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
They Finally Meet!!
We went on our usual delivery today and we had two first timers.
My daughter went for the very first time, she is on break from college and she had heard so much about this ministry.
The other newbie is my friend Jim. He helps in the middle school area every Wednesday, and like my daughter, has heard a lot about this ministry. He also helps with transportation when the adults serve on Monday.
Before we get too far, I need to tell you what happened way back in May. When the youth were assembling the meals, I had them write their name on a 3x5 card and simply tell the person who would receive the card that they were prayed for that day. We put what we call "Spiritual Food" in our meals that we deliver. We always hear about our homeless friends reading and saving all these cards. Usually we put an encouraging verse on the card, but I felt God wanted us to be more personal.
I don't even remember the delivery day that included these different cards, but sometime in September, we were making our rounds and one of our regular homeless friends got to talking about the cards. She told us that she has saved all of them and one of the was very special. Yes, you guessed it, she was treasuring the card that Jim wrote. She asked me if I knew Jim, of course I did. She went on and on about how that card has encouraged her simply by reminding her that Jim prayed specifically for her on a day in May. Of course, I could not wait to tell Jim and the whole youth group that story.
Now to the delivery for today. I could not wait for Jim to meet her. He had heard so many things about her, but they never met. This homeless friends rarely goes to the Day Center.
We saw her at her usual location and offered a ride to where she and her husband live. When we finally met up, I got to introduce her to Jim. It was so cool to see them remember the card and be able to make this kind of connection. I think Jim got the bigger blessing while we stood in that parking lot.
I think the time we did those cards differently in May was the only time we have ever done it that way. God sure used it to bless two friends of mine.
The lesson - God has a reason for doing the things the way He does and we sometimes have to wait a few months to see the fruit of His actions.
My daughter went for the very first time, she is on break from college and she had heard so much about this ministry.
The other newbie is my friend Jim. He helps in the middle school area every Wednesday, and like my daughter, has heard a lot about this ministry. He also helps with transportation when the adults serve on Monday.
Before we get too far, I need to tell you what happened way back in May. When the youth were assembling the meals, I had them write their name on a 3x5 card and simply tell the person who would receive the card that they were prayed for that day. We put what we call "Spiritual Food" in our meals that we deliver. We always hear about our homeless friends reading and saving all these cards. Usually we put an encouraging verse on the card, but I felt God wanted us to be more personal.
I don't even remember the delivery day that included these different cards, but sometime in September, we were making our rounds and one of our regular homeless friends got to talking about the cards. She told us that she has saved all of them and one of the was very special. Yes, you guessed it, she was treasuring the card that Jim wrote. She asked me if I knew Jim, of course I did. She went on and on about how that card has encouraged her simply by reminding her that Jim prayed specifically for her on a day in May. Of course, I could not wait to tell Jim and the whole youth group that story.
Now to the delivery for today. I could not wait for Jim to meet her. He had heard so many things about her, but they never met. This homeless friends rarely goes to the Day Center.
We saw her at her usual location and offered a ride to where she and her husband live. When we finally met up, I got to introduce her to Jim. It was so cool to see them remember the card and be able to make this kind of connection. I think Jim got the bigger blessing while we stood in that parking lot.
I think the time we did those cards differently in May was the only time we have ever done it that way. God sure used it to bless two friends of mine.
The lesson - God has a reason for doing the things the way He does and we sometimes have to wait a few months to see the fruit of His actions.
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