discovery: joy in following a call
many of you know a friend and i set out this fall to get blessings in a backpack going in p-town. it seemed like a slow start, but we were committed and this past november we started handing out 25 backpacks each friday. the blessings are supposed to be for the kids, but i have to say, i think the blessings i receive are beyond my wildest dreams.
this past week my dear friend tama was featured in people magazine with this article. she has been our faithful cheerleader in this attempt to help feed some hungry kids. reading this made me all the more thankful that she is my friend!
but what i really want to say is how amazing this program has been. each friday my friend and i personally deliver the backpacks to the kids. their faces tell it all. some of them have run up to us and given us hugs, others say thank-you in some of the sweetest voices with the sweetest smiles.
the past couple of weeks hubby and i have had several conversations about what it means to live like Jesus. now, blessings is NOT a christian organization, but for me personally - i feel called to live out the commandment to feed the hungry. i'm pretty sure my friend is similarly convicted. we have had so much joy in shopping for the kids, tweaking the menu because a fun treat is on sale, and sharing with those we see in wal-mart just what we are doing.
i'd been feeling a bit discouraged lately, or uninspired, or something.....but this morning i headed in to hand out backpacks. yes, it is thursday - we have the day off on friday and we wanted to make sure the kids got their packs. so, as i was out delivering the packs i had a teacher stop me and with tears in her eyes tell me that the child in her room is more alert, more attentive, getting better grades, has better attendance, and was worried that today was thursday and he wouldn't get his pack. then i moved on to another room. there the teacher let me know that one student is now doing her homework! in fact, she opened up her check book and sponsored another child! when i handed the pack to one sweet child there was concern that he would be out town next week (due to a family issue) and their pack wouldn't be returned on monday. when i returned to the office the secretary came out to tell me about that student. you could tell she was a bit teary as we talked about how much that has meant to that family!
so...this isn't about me. and it isn't about how good i feel. it is about those kids - and the simple fact that a back pack of food is making a difference in their life. i'm thankful for God's prodding on our hearts and so thankful that we stuck with it....and so thankful for those kids that are changing my life, one backpack at a time!
if you are interested in sponsoring a child, or helping us in p-town get started in a second school let me know. for $80 you can sponsor a child for the entire year. but more importantly - what is God prodding you to do????? there is great joy in being obedient to His call.
this past week my dear friend tama was featured in people magazine with this article. she has been our faithful cheerleader in this attempt to help feed some hungry kids. reading this made me all the more thankful that she is my friend!
but what i really want to say is how amazing this program has been. each friday my friend and i personally deliver the backpacks to the kids. their faces tell it all. some of them have run up to us and given us hugs, others say thank-you in some of the sweetest voices with the sweetest smiles.
the past couple of weeks hubby and i have had several conversations about what it means to live like Jesus. now, blessings is NOT a christian organization, but for me personally - i feel called to live out the commandment to feed the hungry. i'm pretty sure my friend is similarly convicted. we have had so much joy in shopping for the kids, tweaking the menu because a fun treat is on sale, and sharing with those we see in wal-mart just what we are doing.
i'd been feeling a bit discouraged lately, or uninspired, or something.....but this morning i headed in to hand out backpacks. yes, it is thursday - we have the day off on friday and we wanted to make sure the kids got their packs. so, as i was out delivering the packs i had a teacher stop me and with tears in her eyes tell me that the child in her room is more alert, more attentive, getting better grades, has better attendance, and was worried that today was thursday and he wouldn't get his pack. then i moved on to another room. there the teacher let me know that one student is now doing her homework! in fact, she opened up her check book and sponsored another child! when i handed the pack to one sweet child there was concern that he would be out town next week (due to a family issue) and their pack wouldn't be returned on monday. when i returned to the office the secretary came out to tell me about that student. you could tell she was a bit teary as we talked about how much that has meant to that family!
so...this isn't about me. and it isn't about how good i feel. it is about those kids - and the simple fact that a back pack of food is making a difference in their life. i'm thankful for God's prodding on our hearts and so thankful that we stuck with it....and so thankful for those kids that are changing my life, one backpack at a time!
if you are interested in sponsoring a child, or helping us in p-town get started in a second school let me know. for $80 you can sponsor a child for the entire year. but more importantly - what is God prodding you to do????? there is great joy in being obedient to His call.
Comments
Blessings all around!