by Judy Chambers on June 10, 2010
It is such a joy to see resources and support pass through our church community to the community at large. Thanks to the Hutson’s share group for providing a pasta dinner to families at Avondale Park. And at ESL, a family was given almost everything needed for a new baby arriving next month. And, hundreds of dollars of furniture has been passed from those who no longer need it to homes that are in great need.
The body of Christ in action – sharing what we have with those in need. What a blessing to see what God is doing and to hop in where we can!
Invitations are going out to families all over the community for Vacation Bible School. Pray that the children will be able to join us for a wonderful week!
by Jason Dick on June 2, 2010
I was posting an interview on another blog that I run and thought I’d share it here. A friend of mine works for an organization that serves homeless and street involved youth. He has a great heart and wants to follow God’s plan for his life. He encouraged me with his words maybe some of what he says will encourage you too. I’m including a few quotes below.
“I want to be where God is working, and he is working in the lives of the young people we serve. I’m passionate about serving the least and the lost, and am a firm believer in the adage that grace is like water, pooling up in the low places.”
“One of the most memorable donor moments to date. After learning that we had been robbed of some bus tokens, one of the young people we serve took his drums and our brochures to the street with a cardboard sign that said ‘Raising money for a youth center that was robbed, every penny helps.’ He raised over $250 and brought it to our front door.”
Feel free to check out more of the interview.
by annadelapaz on April 27, 2010
Tonight will be another night for ESL at Meadowbrook and though I rarely have a chance to go, I was able to attend last Tuesday. It was great to see all the volunteers – especially the teens including Kara Chambers (featured in an earlier blog), her brother Chris, and also Jacqui. They showed a lot of excitement and joy and it seemed contagious to everyone.
Meadowbrook has been wonderful in helping provide all sorts of donations for many of ESL’s low-income families. But the help has extended beyond that. Melissa, a 9 year old girl who is very good friends with my daughter, has been a regular on Tuesdays as her parents try to learn more English. Knowing ESL provides tutoring for the children’s homework, I asked her how she’s doing. She was excited to tell me that she is improving in math and has become a “scout”, getting certain privileges at school for improving her grades. This coming from a girl who constantly complained she hated that particular subject and struggled at first. No doubt the tutoring from ESL has been a big part in helping her improve. Also, Melissa’s favorite subject is art and apparently she also has been mentored in that area by someone who isn’t a volunteer at ESL. Bob (a regular tutor) and his wife Karen, have opened their home to Melissa and her family. Karen has informally become her art mentor and has her excited and focused on the subject she really loves. These are all examples of how the community is connecting to one another and helping impact people’s lives no matter how small it seems. Many of the families don’t get the chance to say thank you in person to all those who directly or indirectly donated their time and goods, but they are appreciative of the help received.
Emilie tutoring during ESL night
by annadelapaz on April 17, 2010
Giving and serving can sometimes be a difficult task. The frustrations can come from the feeling of being used or unappreciated. We give or do a task and the person isn’t very grateful or even worse, they feel entitled to the help you poured out. Yet one of our biggest calling is to be servants and to give with a cheerful heart.
My morning commute from Renton is a daily reminder that while we cannot always control the outcome of our giving and serving, we never know who we impact. Like the recovering alcoholic who without fail pulls out his recovery book and Bible every day, cheerfully encouraging everyone around him to live the best life they can. Or the driver (with hard task of dealing with difficult and unruly passengers) who yells in a loud voice to the students getting off at the station to “study hard, stay in school and get good grades”.
Yesterday an elderly man had fallen at the bottom of the escalators in the train station while another man was struggling to help him up. Most of us were either pausing for a bit or going to the stairs and heading out for the day. Mental excuses were rotating in my mind – I don’t have a medical background, I can’t leave my work laptop unattended, how late will I be to work, is he drunk/high or is he sincerely hurt (?). Then out of the rushing crowd, out steps a young lady without hesitating, puts down her backpack, gently scoops up the man’s other arm and whispers something to encourage him to get up. I replay that moment and think how God asks us to not hesitate in pouring out our help. Of course when we have the resources or the time available, the giving can at times be fairly simple and easy. But there will be other times when we seemingly can’t help or it takes a lot out of us emotionally. This is where we are called to put down our “backpacks” and just offer ourselves to the aid of another.
by Judy Chambers on April 8, 2010
What a beautiful celebration of Easter this past weekend as we served our community in so many ways. Thanks to Jeff and Shirley and their share group for providing a wonderful taco bar for Avondale Park on Wednesday night. And Saturday morning we celebrated with many of those families with an Easter brunch and an egg hunt. And again on Sunday, we hosted another brunch and egg hunt for kids! Let’s continue to pray for all the families we met.
We have had a request from one of our ESL families who is moving into their own apartment for a dining table and chairs, sofa and vacuum. Also please see the website for further needs that came up last week for other household items. Please contact us if you can help. Thank you – God bless you this day!
