If the Friday wasn't packed full of changing lives, Saturday was where the Spirit of God really took over during our 30 Hour Famine! Last weekend was filled with games and opportunities for teens to learn about ways they could start thinking of helping organizations like World Vision and Nazarene Compassionate Ministries reach the lives of thousands by teaching new methods of farming even where there is drought, distilling water for clean drinking, preventing diseases like Malaria, getting children into educational systems to help grow a brighter future, and more! But what about where we live? Are we to sit back and donate to oversea missions while we drive by hundreds of homeless and impoverished neighbors in our own communities?
We teamed up with St. Peter's Methodist Church and Jesus Place Ministries of Granite City, Illinois, to place 20 teens into areas of volunteer service. Saturday morning, St. Peter's Methodist's Soup Kitchen was filled with orange shirts. By this time, these participants had already gone a maximum of 25 hours without food yet, with excitement, volunteered to stand in the kitchen making eggs, pancakes, toast, and sausage and serving people at their seats for two hours! The aroma of food filled the room, and the conversations went from "I can't believe they're making us do this", "I will probably eat some of this food before it's over", to "where else can I help?", "Can I take your place behind the oven while you take a break?", "Are you and your family enjoying breakfast this morning, what else can I get for you to make this more enjoyable?".
After serving these guests for two hours we were taken to the Jesus Place Ministries Soup Kitchen and Worship Center. It wasn't in service at the time, but our participants got a tour of a smaller scale ministry that still did just as much to serve as many as they could. Then we got together in the worship center and listened to a testimony from one of the guyst that helped arrange the service projects, and I gave a small message about our many ways we show worship to God; serving others being one of them. What was most encouraging was the entire group circling together for a time of prayer, where each one of us took turns leading, thanking God for the opportunity to serve Him and asking for hearts to serve others instead of focusing so much on ourselves!
After that time of worship, we were led to the Free Store. Granite City's former automotive manufacturing plant now has been converted into a warehouse where anyone can donate anything from coffee mugs, food, and clothes, to furniture and bicycles. The best part is, people that shop at the Free Store are not there to buy anything, because everything is literally given away for free! This is a place where the needs are really being met without the concern of making a profit off of others' misfortunes. It was a blessing to see our teens volunteering on their own to help organize and move large furniture pieces and whatever else they could help with in the short time we were there for the tour.
When we returned to the church, we had about an hour before it was time to break our fast. This time was spent either picking up trash, packing luggage, or sleeping - depending on how crashed each participant was. Several chaperones helped make spaghetti and rolls, while I put together a simple recipe called "Re:Vive"; consisting of peanut butter, powdered milk, a hint of powdered sugar, and a dash of vegetable oil. Organizations like World Vision gives a similar nutritional package out to individuals who have gone days and weeks without the proper food, helping to build up their stomaches to accept more dense or acidic foods such as spaghetti and fruit.
The conversation and words from participants changed dramatically over the course of this event. Everyone was helping each other with packing, picking up trash, and even coming into the kitchen asking us if they could help with washing dishes or mixing ingredients. In the scope of 24 hours, 30 people went from being self-engaged to community building.
We can make a difference.
Because of this change, I have been asked about making this a district event next year; an opportunity I am deeply humbled and sincerely excited about!
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