One of the awesome things about Des Moines Christian is that in Bible class they require a certain number of Ministry hours. This is volunteer work of any type or working with anything regarding ministry to others. This was a bit of a challenge for me at first because well, as I said in my very first blog (I actually typed job there because sometimes it feels like a job), I am really good at being lazy. I am also very much a non people person. I like to just set at home and not really interact with the general public because well, people annoy me. But, this has been a huge blessing to me and my son because it forces us to break out of our bubble and actually do something that matters. Not only is it good to give back to those that have less than you but the Bible actually calls for it, Hebrews 13:2, NIV. "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it."
One of our first volunteer ventures was with our own church, Des Moines 1st Seventh-day Adventist Church. There is a wonderful woman that I grew up knowing and loving who has been a great example of giving back to the community and this first job for us was with her. The SDA church here in Des Moines does a great job of giving back to the community by feeding and clothing the homeless. They go and park their van in downtown Des Moines and feed the homeless with both warm meals and things they can take with them.
There were people literally lined up around the block. Many homeless from around the downtown Des Moines area that live under the bridges and many who are just to poor to purchase a good meal. I was working on the clothing table which I didn't get a picture of and it was very strange because people were very timid and didn't really want to come up and look at the things we had for them. You actually had to grab them and force them to tell you what size they were or what they might need. It was heart breaking and very humbling.
Our next volunteer opportunity was with Meals from the Heartland. Meals from the Heartland is a non-profit, 501(c) 3 organization composed of volunteers who package meals for delivery to starving people around the world as well as right here in Central Iowa and elsewhere in the United States. Individuals, businesses, schools , churches and various civic organizations have come together to show the nation and the world what people who truly care can accomplish. This was am amazing experience to be a part of and see. The amount of people and food was amazing! It was 10 to a team and had to work in 5 different steps to package each meal. Our team of 10 packaged 1,080 meals in 2 hours. Pretty impressive!
Our next adventure in volunteer work took us to an amazing, amazing, amazing place called Hope Ministries. Hope Ministries has been serving those who are homeless in Des Moines and central Iowa since 1915. The staff are thee most loving and non-judgmental people I have ever encountered and the work they do on a daily basis is again, amazing. They are a Christ-centered ministry that provides programs and services for homeless men, women, and children with various places like Bethel Mission, Door of Faith, Hope Family Center, and the Hope Bargain & Community Outreach Center.
Our first experience was delivering meals to the needy for Thanksgiving. On Thanksgiving day myself, my son, and my Dad went and got my Journey loaded with meals and quilts that were donated and delivered them to 9 different locations. We prayed with each family as we entered their home and gave them their meal. It was again another heart breaking and humbling experience. But it was wonderful to do and we felt the spirit of God as we walked into each home. I think we were more blessed than the people receiving the meals.
On the way home to our own dinner we stopped off to the cemetery to visit some relatives and relive some history. This is a picture of my Dad and my son by one of the gravestones....
My goal and work in life is to strive to be a Proverbs 31 woman. Two of my favorite versus of the Bible come from Proverbs; 31:8, "Speak up for those who can't speak for themselves. Speak up for the rights of all those who are poor. Speak up and judge fairly. Speak up for the rights of those who are poor and needy". and 31:20, "She opens her arms to those who are poor. She reaches her hands to those who are needy". I urge you, go out and give back, whether you believe in the Bible and it's teachings or not, you should feel a pull to help those that have less than you and trust me, it will be thee single most rewarding experience you have ever had.
9 Speak up and judge fairlySpeak up for the rights of those who are poor and needy.
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