CARING HEARTS HELPING HANDS
The alarm goes off again only this time it’s 4:30 am. Boy, summer is now officially in AZ topping 113 degrees today. I arrive at Calvary Church thinking I was early. The regulars were already there loading up the equipment, counting off the toileterties they would be distributing, and the books, including bibles. With everything loaded we go down to the “tent zone” where the homeless populate the area. We arrive finding hundreds already lined up. The gates open at Andre House, and with a quick prayer, we begin the morning. I started in the kitchen prepping the waffles while others were in the hot zone scrambling eggs, baking tater tots, stirring the lemonade, and on and on. A man named Gordie moved me to the “ fork” prep area where we carefully rolled up the forks into the napkins. At another table the musicians were practicing their music. The preacher comes in with a warm smile and says “ Good morning everyone and thank you for your service!”. And then it was time. As we walked at the door the heat hit you so hard it almost took your breath away. And there they were…sitting on the bleachers, the hot asphalt, standing, leaning against their bicycles, holding on to their dogs…the homeless, the hopeless, the lost…the people Jesus came to save. The band began and I found myself holding a large tray with food for the hungry. Sweat dripped off the faces of those receiving the food but with a grateful heart said thank you. The preacher and his words of salvation could be heard everywhere, the band played music that had people swaying, smiling…As the first wave of people were fed I was moved to the lines giving forks and a smile. But the line was never ending. Just as I thought we were finished more people came. More and more. As another group of homeless came so did the extra food. When the last person was served the last of our food was gone. It was the first time I had had a chance to look up. And then I saw it. Two men were praying as one of them had just accepted Jesus. THAT was the reason we were all there. Through the heat and fatigue, almost 700 people were fed and 15 accepted Jesus. And quietly I cried. There is JOY in serving Gods people. If you find yourself feeling hopeless, purposeless, joyless, you only need to look to Jesus and open your arms to serve others. I GUARANTEE when you stop thinking of yourself and look to the needs of others in Jesus you will find your true JOY. As Jesus said, “ It is more blessed to give than to receive”. May you be encouraged today with the hope and love of Jesus.