This Side of 30 Hours

It’s 3pm on Sunday afternoon. I’m tired. But not hungry. Not anymore. And I don’t think I’ll say “I’m Starving…” again without thinking twice. Because there are 26,000 children that are starving… and will die today from hunger, malnutrition, and preventable disease. We’ve just completed a fast-paced, fun-filled, hunger driven “30 Hour Famine” with the kids in our church youth group. Groups all over the nation are participating in this World Vision event to raise money for children in need all over the world. About 20 of our youth helped to create a weekend that will make a difference for these children. Yesterday was filled with “survival challenges” that taught us about the physical, economical and environmental challenges in other countries. We made graffiti signs, slept in cardboard boxes & tents, asked for pledges, and learned about poverty and hunger.

Through pledges and generous donors, our kids raised almost $2,250! World Vision forecasts that this will feed and nourish 75 children for one month. Or, it could feed one hungry child for over 6 years! One very miraculous event occurred when a weary, tattered, and obviously very hungry couple appeared at the doors of our church. It was in the middle of Saturday afternoon, when the kids were really beginning to feel the hunger pains of their fast. This couple arrived in need. They had been walking from Jacksonville, all the way to Mabank (about 65 miles) on their way to Dallas. Our kids welcomed them into the cool of the church where we asked how we could help them. They were hungry and needed to rest for a few minutes. The most beautiful acts of service and love were visible as our youth scrounged around in the kitchen to assemble a meal for our guests. As their own stomachs were growling and they were feeling the pains of hunger, they graciously prepared a feast for those more hungry. They carefully spread the mayonnaise on the bread. Added cheese, ham or turkey. Wrap in foil. Bag up some chips. Found some Little Debbie snacks for dessert. A group of the kids walked the meal down to the coffee area where our guests were resting. They set napkins before them and offered the food, in a humble gesture of acceptance, love, and even understanding. “God Bless You,” they told the couple. Then, not wanting to strip them of their dignity, we left them to eat and rest a bit. Sure, there were a million questions we wanted to ask, but didn’t. Sometimes, you just need to provide for a need without knowing all of the details. About an hour after our guests arrived, they were on their way again...continuing on foot 60 more miles to Dallas. They didn’t accept the backpacks we offered that would have been loaded with food and supplies. “Keeping it light,” the road-weary man told us. They turned the corner and walked out of sight. I’m not entirely convinced our guests weren’t angels. Sent to allow a youth group in Mabank Texas the opportunity to minister. To be the hands and feet of Jesus even as they stretched their own limits of comfort, food and shelter. Angels or not, there is no doubt our friends provided a God-Sighting, as Allison – the youth minister – calls it. God-Sightings are all around us, if we will only look. People, places and incidents that call us to be the hands and feet of Christ. It’s not just in Africa or Mexico or South America where children are starving. It happens right here, in Mabank Texas. It happens on the long weary road to Dallas. It happens in the grocery store, the nursing home, the mall. And it happens when the teacher prays for their student that is safer in class than he is at home. I was so proud of our Youth Group this morning as they shared their hearts with the congregation in both services. It was inspiring and worshipful. In a world full of despair – riddled with job loss, homelessness and hunger – our younger generation shared HOPE with us. We set out this weekend to fight hunger with hunger. But what we got was so much more.

An afternoon in Ft Worth

Once a month, our church youth group travels to Ft Worth. We take meals, water, clothing, and hygiene items to an area where many of the homeless gather. That's Rick, below in the tan jacket, helping to pass out clothing. After we had given away everything, we packed up the empty boxes, and circled together to pray for those that we had encountered. The hot items this month were backpacks, gloves and coats. One particular man was looking for a denim shirt and undershirt because he was starting a job tomorrow. He thought his pants were clean enough... he just needed the shirts. I hope his job goes well and can provide him the means to get off of the streets. This particular trip was not without its bumps. One man was very rude to one of our teenage girls and said some very terrible things to her. It caused a mix of emotion in all of us. We know that what we are doing is not without risks. We are out of our comfort zones, encountering sites that are very unpleasant. And we are hanging out with people that are marginalized, broken, and poor. Many of them have a mental illness as well. But I believe that God holds them close to his heart. That is why we risk, and that is why we go.

Movie making

It was "lights, camera, action!" yesterday for us. As you can see, that's our son Taylor under the spotlight in the above picture. Trietsch United Methodist Church in Flower Mound offered to help produce a video for our church highlighting the Honduras mission and the House of Hope. They have an awesome media crew and a very professional studio at their church. Several of us that have been to the House of Hope participated in an interview session on camera for the video. It was rather overwhelming at first. The camera was big and the lights bright. And the room was cold! I was shaking, part from the cold, and part from the nerves. We each had about 10 minutes of "conversation" footage. Once we got to talking with the person conducting the interview, the camera and lights seemed to fade away. For me, once I got to sharing, I felt the renewed "high" that I felt when I was there. All of the children's faces were in my minds eye, and my heart ached more than ever for their needs. The video will weave together our footage from the trip in June, still camera shots from other trips taken, and the interview clips from those that have been there. We are tying this all together to promote our Miracle Christmas Offering at our church. "Christmas is not your birthday" is the theme, and we have accepted the challenge that for every dollar we spend on Christmas this year, we will invest that much in the Christmas Offering for the House of Hope. It's a pretty big challenge. But we're excited about it.

And we're off again...

We'll be leaving tomorrow for Tipp City, Ohio. Destination is Ginghamsburg Church - a large "teaching church" that has inspired and trained many people in our own congregation in Mabank. One of my favorite weekly podcasts is the pastor of this church, Mike Slaughter. He is unconventional, especially compared to my Baptist upbringing... and it's quite refreshing. (No offense, mom and dad!) Rick and I attended the same conference last year, and are excited to be returning to the "Change the World" Conference for a second time. Check it out at: http://ginghamsburg.org/changetheworld A year ago at this conference, God began working in our lives to to cut back on the frivolous lifestyle we were living. Our focus is changing to be more of a servant mindset, as Christ lived the example for us all. This is the place where God started working on us to eliminate debt in our life and simplify our lifestyle. (At the time, we didn't know it would involve selling our house so that we could live mortgage free in a 100+ year old farmhouse.) And so we head back to Ginghamsburg - fully expecting to learn some new things and return with new ideas that we can implement in our own church. We'll get to know some other church members and fellow servants on this trip, and I can't wait to see what God has in store for us! I'll upload some pictures of the conference while I'm gone with my handy-dandy remote upload method! TTFN! or for those NON Winnie the Pooh fans, that's Ta-Ta-For-Now....

Lord's Acre

It's been almost a week since my last post... what happened to the time? Our weekend was dedicated to celebrating Lord's Acre at our church. This is an exciting annual event that includes a silent auction, live auction, kid's activities, BBQ lunch, country store, and many other fun things. The proceeds from it are given to our Youth and Children's program at church. Each year, we raise close to $30,000 to fund the Mission Trips and activities that our Youth and Children participate in. This year, we hit close to $35,000! Forgive the red hue on the picture below, but the glow of the tent really makes it hard to get a good picture. The House of Hope in Honduras, our trips to the homeless on the streets of Fort Worth, and various mission trips all year long benefit from this event. A professional auctioneer runs the live auction... and boy, does it go fast! We have a team that sits at the front behind the auctioneer to record the winning bid number and price. I work on that team, and Rick's role was to help display the items as the auction proceeded. So that's what we've been up to. In other news: 1. Still in post-vacation depression. It's so hard to get back into the swing of things when you have such a wonderful vacation. We're still wearing our "All-Inclusive" bracelets from the beach in Cozumel... Just can't bear to cut them off. I know it's silly, but when I remove it, I'll have to admit that vacation really is OVER. I think it will have to be in the midst of supportive friends to ease in the transition. :) Here's a picture of my bracelet! 2. House did not sell to the couple that was so interested. They decided to build instead of buy. I wonder if they realize just how "motivated" the sellers really are? I must admit that I'm fighting some anxious feelings regarding this. It's one thing to say: "God, you are in control, and when it's time to move, You'll take care of the details." It's another thing to say it and not doubt. I mean, I do believe... but sometimes I find myself wondering why He doesn't hurry up? There's a scripture that says: "Lord, I believe. Help me in my unbelief." That's me today. And yesterday. And probably tomorrow. 3. Dick Kannwischer is doing better. Thanks for praying for him. I don't know that they have discovered the reason he fainted, but the broken ribs are on their way to healing. He is still in pain... so keep praying for pain management. I'm in a hurry to make it to Wednesday night Youth Group, so I'll post this without proofing it. Forgive any typo's...

Open for business: Red Cross Shelter # 09

Sorry I've been dark for a few days.

Wednesday was my last normal day. Because Thursday from 8am until after midnight we were at the church mobilizing Red Cross Shelter #09.

Our church is a safe zone sanctioned by Red Cross, and is housing Hurricane Ike evacuees. We have 29 guests as I type this, but our capicity is 50. I expect tomorrow we will fill the rest of our beds.

My role is "Volunteer Coordinator." It's been a BUSY and CHAOTIC and REWARDING journey so far. I've built more spreadsheets in the last 48 hours than I care to, and I've been more productive than 3 normal days at work. Funny how that works...

I'm exhausted. Can hardly believe anything I type makes sense... but I wanted to update you with what we've been doing.

Honestly, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I'm getting to know my church family so much better and to witness first hand the generosity and servant spirit amongst them. It truly is inspiring. Every person I've encountered today has been so willing to help... and every person has a different unique ability to contribute. This sounds "sunday-school-ish" to say, but I'm witnessing the body of Christ working. Everyone has their own unique way of helping and encouraging and doing. It's AWESOME.

I'm tired. Must get some rest because morning is going to come early.

Tomorrow we may ride out the hurricane at the Shelter, and there's lots to do to get ready. News reports indicate that our little area of East Texas is going to be hit hard, and we need to be prepared.

Oh, before I go - I wanted to mention how friendly and grateful our guests have been. Their life has been put on hold, and they have no idea what they will have to go home to when this storm is finished. But they are positive and loving and hopeful.

I want to be more like them.

Whew! A fast paced night!

We have survived the first week of Youth Wed night activities! That in itself is something to be proud of, considering that tonight's welcome-back activity was a fast-paced, crazed night of scavenger hunting. Rick and I are launching into year 2 of working with the Wednesday night youth group at our church. We each lead a small group (he has high-school boys and I have jr high girls.) Normally, the routine is: snack supper, praise/worship, video lesson, then small group discussions. Tonight, however, each small group was a team on the scavenger hunt. And OH MY GOODNESS... everyone had so much fun! There were about 35 youth that attended, and the energy was extreme. It seems that everyone was very excited to be back into the swing of things. Here is a picture of the list of items on the hunt. Our team successfully gathered everything we needed, AND made it back in time (with 2 minutes to spare.) Probably the most difficult item on the list was finding a cloth hankerchief. Seems nobody carries those anymore. But sweet Mrs. Riddleheuber came to our rescue with one of her late husband's hankerchiefs. (I'll pause for an "..awe....") Anyway - It's late, and we just finished watching Sarah Palin give her knock-out speech at the RNC... and I'm going to bed.

Gimme Some Old Time Religion

One Sunday a month, our church provides the worship service and offers Communion to the folks at Mabank Nursing Home. I joined in with this ministry last month... and with the visit on Sunday, I now have been twice.

I'm still getting used to the awkwardness of "what to do..." We walk up and down the halls and assess who might be able to come down to the community room. We invite the ones that look able, and have to pass over those who aren't able to get out of bed. If they can, we wheel them down in their wheelchairs or help them with their walkers.

This "hands on" part was awkward at first for me to get into. Approaching total strangers and helping them get in their wheelchair took some getting used to.

But then I met Miss Ida. Wow, she is a pistol! She was already in her wheelchair waiting by her bed to be pushed down to "have church." But before she'd let me take her I had to brush her hair and make her all pretty! It was a sweet moment for me, brushing her hair and fluffing it up. I had to get over any reservations about being "hands on" real quick. And as I brushed her hair she talked to me about how she wants to look pretty for everyone and how she just can't seem to keep her hair done anymore.

Miss Ida then asked how old I thought she was. Great... how am I supposed to answer that??? I hemmed and hawed, and I knew she was pretty far up there... So I went conservative. 80, I said.

Silence.

"Oh, honey," she said "Do I look that old?"

Great. Just great. I went and offended a little lady in the nursing home. I felt 2 inches tall.

Then she elbowed me in the rib and said "Gotcha! I'm really 97!"

That Ida, she IS a pistol!

Well, long story short... we had "church," and these little people belted out the hymns at the top of their lungs. A couple even lifted their arms up and waved them like they were directing a choir. Maybe they were music teachers in years past. It really is an odd feeling singing "When we all get to Heaven..." with some people that may be checking in sooner than later.

All kidding aside, I had to fight to maintain control of my emotions as we sang. Touched by the faces of these gentle souls, I saw my Granny in every face. This was the highlight of their day. Visitors, Worship, Communion. Something different from the hum-drum of their daily routine.

And as I went around the room offering a piece of bread to represent Christ's body, tears whelled up in my eyes. I was so humbled. Who am I, to offer the sacrament of Holy Communion to these beautiful people? These trusting faces who just wanted to reach out and hold my hand? And when I got to Mrs. Templin (a long time member of our church) I had to place the bread in her mouth because she couldn't do it herself. Yep, my tears spilled over then. I was overwhelmed with humbleness at serving these people, and touched by their circumstances at the present.

After the service, we wheeled everyone back to their rooms. I sat down with Miss Ida for a few minutes to visit with her. She had a jar of pickle relish in her wheelchair, but that's another whole story. And you know what?

Time flew. Before I knew it, 30 minutes had passed and we had laughed and shared with each other bits and pieces of our lives... like why she carries relish with her. And how her mother died when she was 4. And how her step-mom loved her like her own.

I went to the nursing home to serve others. To participate in a ministry our church offers. And yet as I left, I knew that the "serving miracle" had happened again.

Because I was the one that was blessed. I was the one that left feeling ministered to, invigorated, loved, accepted.

Amazing, isn't it?