Lifegroup in action! For those of you who don't know about the Long Beach Rescue Mission, please contact Paula Chism or Cheryl Harrington, this is a great opportunity to give of your time and be a part of reaching the homeless communities of Long Beach. Our lifegroup has performed two Chapel services and we've assisted in food preparations for Easter dinner. One wednesday evening Dennis Crawford and I helped cut up almost 500lbs of ham while Mindi, Dillon, Paula, and Rhonda helped out in the stock room preparing dinner that same night! The staff really appreciated our help and the homeless who eat this food appreciate it as well.
I've got to say I was pretty nervous the first time we went because I didn't know what to expect. I was very out of my comfort zone. I mean what can I tell someone who has nothing left, to have...hope? I can't compare myself to their situation in many ways, they could see right through me, I'm not going to pretend to know what they are going through. So I wondered what should I say?
After our first Chapel service we had an opporunity to hang out and, I noticed a guy walking away and shaking, I followed him and asked if he was alright? He turned to face me but wouldn't look at me, I lifted my arms to call him over and he just started to hug me, then he started crying. He was crying saying thank you, thank you and he wouldn't let go. He just wanted to be held. That's it. Wow, it hit me, I didn't have to say anything, at least nothing dramatic or amazing, just being there.....said everything. Just being there, showing up and tangibly showing God's love for us, through us. We looked at each other and we had tears running down our cheeks and then we both started laughing. He gave me another hug, said thank you brother, it's been a long time, thank you.
Isn't God amazing.....I could go on forever, but now it's your turn....
7 comments:
Thanks for sharing man. That is so awesome.
Our Life Group just volunteered for the first time at the Elm Street Mission up here in Santa Cruz. Sounds like a similar operation. Huge blessing.
I love reading about the mission
I was one of the first volunteers
for the Mission back in the 1970's
met my husband there. He was one of the street people. We have been married 23 years. My son is trying to start his own mission in Idaho.
I love reading about the mission
I was one of the first volunteers
for the Mission back in the 1970's
met my husband there. He was one of the street people. We have been married 23 years. My son is trying to start his own mission in Idaho.
I love reading about the mission
I was one of the first volunteers
for the Mission back in the 1970's
met my husband there. He was one of the street people. We have been married 23 years. My son is trying to start his own mission in Idaho.
I love reading about the mission
I was one of the first volunteers
for the Mission back in the 1970's
met my husband there. He was one of the street people. We have been married 23 years. My son is trying to start his own mission in Idaho.
I love reading about the mission
I was one of the first volunteers
for the Mission back in the 1970's
met my husband there. He was one of the street people. We have been married 23 years. My son is trying to start his own mission in Idaho.
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