Being a Christian transitional housing program, the ministry I work for performs service work for several different organizations and churches in the area. One of the things we do is volunteer to help out the "Bread of Life Food Pantry" at a Church called Calvary Christian Fellowship. The Church passes out a bag of groceries and a bowl of soup in the name of Jesus as a way to help the community and try to win souls for the Kingdom
It is a requirement for our newer guys in the program to go and give back to our community by helping unload the truck and prepare the bags that are given out at the food pantry. They also help out carrying the bags to the cars of the clients of the pantry as a lot of them are elderly.
Volun-Told
After our guys are here for 90 days they can do community service (Or as we call it, Kingdom Service) to get extra points on their point sheets if they fall short in another area, such as meeting attendance. When they are new we try to instill in them the idea that it is not only fun, but feels good to give back.
Since the summer semester at my college is over and I have a couple weeks until the next semester starts, I was able to go to the food pantry with my guys for a change. Back when I was a resident, the food pantry was a great experience, and most all the guys that go eventually learn to love it too. I took pictures today and thought maybe you might like to see them. I couldn't take pictures of the clients of course because it would be wrong, but the volunteers all gave me permission, so here goes!
The Church
Isn't this about the most quaint little Church?
We have a full Kitchen where we make soup to serve the guests.
We get the food from the food bank in the Church bus...
Then we gotta unload it!!
And move it downstairs into the basement...
We slide the boxes on tables into the basement...
The whole operation is overseen by a cadre of stuffed animals...
Once in the basement there is plenty to do...
Well maybe not this guy...But notice the pastries laid out for the clients to feel welcome...
And the owner of the stuffed animals...
Back to work slackers!!
Gotta get organized...
There is much to do!
Have to count everything to make it fair...
Even the meat...
And of course the sweets!
Time to pack the bags!
Job well done!
Time to relax a little and fellowship...
My guys like to goof off some...
Does this look like some guys that were in active addiction not long ago? Look at those faces!!
Here's me with one of the guys (I am the long haired fat guy with glasses!)
Here is my boss, the house manager, come to visit all sweaty from working in our garden (He is an awesome dude!)
Hanging with the Fellas...
See what Jesus can do for people?
This is an awesome testament to what the power of God can do in men's lives when they seek him out. These guys were all active hard core drug addicts and alcoholics not that long ago, and now they are living clean lives, going to Church and learning about God's love for them, all while giving back to the community they have hurt in the past. I am truly blessed to be a part of this ministry!
As Always...
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