I want to take a moment to thank all the parents, children and any other member of the congregation for helping to make our "Spring Fling Mission Thing" a huge success. Because of the amazing generosity of the wonderful members of our church, I was able to transport a vanload of basic essentials to the Ogden House on May 7th. As I sit here at my desk, looking at a stack of hand made Thank You cards that I received in the mail from the kids who are residing at the home, I can't help but feel overwhelmed by their gratitude. Often it is the case that the servant goes with the expectation of being a blessing, when in actuality, we find ourselves the ones receiving the unexpected blessing.
I would like to share with you my experience of delivering the items that our Children's Ministry collected for the Ogden House. When I arrived in the foyer of the home, the caregivers were completing lunch for the kids. I identified myself and my church affiliation and having carried in the first 2 bags of contributions, I reminded them of our mission project. As I handed them the 2 bags, their faces were beaming and you could tell that they were so thrilled to receive our gifts. I was amazed that they would be so grateful for just 2 bags of goods. Imagine their surprise when I told them that there was more! After making 4 trips back and forth to my van, with the assistance of the 3 caregivers, myself and of course, my little people who insisted on "helping" as well, we were able to get everything unloaded. It is always so humbling when I make these deliveries, because everyone is so incredibly appreciative of these common, everyday items that we so often take for granted.
I am so thankful that God has given our church a true heart for missions, be it here in our hometown of Guntersville or in a foreign land. The world is full of hurting people, all in need of God's amazing grace. He has blessed us all so abundantly in ways that are not always, nor do they need to be, monetary. From our child missionaries, our precious Children's Ministry, who have stuffed Christmas stockings for the children served by the Child Advocacy Center, to our Youth who travel abroad to be a reflection of God's love to a lost and dying world, to our older Adults who have given their time, sweat and God given abilities to help our fellow citizens in need after catastrophic events. On a daily basis God is molding us, as a church body, into an image more resembling Him. Never in my Christian walk have I been so thrilled to be a vessel unto His service.
In Matt. 25:40 the scripture says, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." That's an awesome responsibility for us to contemplate.
May God continue to grow the heart of Guntersville 1st United Methodist Church for the ripened field of Missions!
God Bless,
Deborah St. John
Missions Director
Children's Ministry |
