We had a great time at the outreach yesterday! It started off with a discussion about community and the sadness we feel when we can’t find the community that is within our hearts. The concern was around conversations within the communities that feel on the surface and superficial when we have the desire to have deeper and more meaningful conversations. We discussed how we are the church and how the church is not just a building. We discussed the difference between spreading God’s word and spreading God’s love. Passions and callings were shared, along with concerns on how to best operate from within our passions and callings.
Gene celebrated his 70th birthday last week (Happy Birthday Gene!!!) and had quite a bit of leftover chicken, baked beans, mac-n-cheese and cake. His wife Deb prepared 10 plates of food to hand out while we walked around. We drove to the parking lot where we meet each week and set up our chairs while Gene passed out plates of food. We talked about sports, small town living, our experiences growing up, how wonderful zucchini bread tastes and how to make sauerkraut!
When we first arrived, they were happy to show us how they have been using a cardboard box as a trash can and have been putting their trash there instead of on the ground! We did a little cleaning up, mostly folding blankets, making their area more comfortable for them as it had rained the past two days and they were sitting on top of wet clothes and blankets. We found some dry blankets and put them down for them to sit on and one to cover with, while we packed the wet blankets in the car and brought eight of them home to wash and bring back.
I’ve had some folks reach out to say they will help with washing items and reached out to one yesterday. I took a bag over to her house and by the end of the night, the large bag of blankets that were once wet and filled with dirt, leaves and acorns, were washed, and dried – and looked and smelled brand new!!! I am so thankful for her! Thank you Nikki! We have them in the car ready to take back to the camp today! She shared that she was in the military and has some ideas that may help with survival in the woods. We are looking forward to future conversations and expanding the community with people who have the passion to help those within the community needing assistance!
The night ended with someone reaching out to a post about BC needing a home. We are hoping to meet with them today and that it is a good fit, and we can begin making the transition from his current home to the new one! It is much closer to us and gives us a greater ability to assist him!