September 11, 2007
Place of Service: Crisis Assistance Ministries, Downtown Charlotte

What stirred in your heart that led you to serve?

For several years I had begun to feel that God wanted more from me and my family in regards to helping the poor. I knew whenever I read a scripture passage about the poor that what we were doing was not enough. God wanted more from us than just giving our money. He wanted more of an investment than that. I also knew that God not only wanted more from me but he wanted me to teach my children that he expected more from all of us. In a Charlotte Mecklenburg School Magazine I learned of volunteer opportunities that elementary students could be involved in. When I inquired, I found out that we could even bring Huck with us, so this seemed perfect for us. I knew we needed to develop a lifestyle of service to the poor and not just a one time event as a life lesson.

In the Spring 2006 we went to volunteer for the first time at Crisis Assistance, and we have been going regularly ever since. This summer we went each week that we were home. Each time we go we spend 1-2 hours in their clothing ministry. Usually we either inspect and sort clothing or we hang clothing that has been sorted on to hangers. Crisis Assistance is the largest clothing ministry in the Southeast. Their store holds 6000-7000 items. Each day they serve 125 families and give away roughly 3000 items. That means every two days the store turns over. That is a high volume of clothing. It is hard for me to imagine that in this area there are that many people in need of clothing. Choices in our family are usually on the line of Salsaritas or Max and Ermas. It has been sobering for the girls and I to talk about having to choose between heat/ac, food or medicine.

Did you/how did you encounter Jesus by serving in a local or global missions/outreach experience?:

We have encountered Jesus in so many different ways, and that amazes me. But it is different everytime. Once it was in Anna, watching her work very steady, without complaining, knowing that she was choosing to give God her very best. Ruth says she sees Jesus In Jason. He is a gigantic guy who probably has Autism. He is always smiling and he remembered all our names after meeting us only once. Anna said she saw Jesus once when she spotted a “shopper” her own age in the store. We often meet him among the many handicapped (physical and mental) volunteers we work beside. Especially when we come in and they are so happy and so eager to serve.

How did this sacrificial act of servant-hood contribute to my spiritual growth?:

Many, many times I see Jesus in my own kids as they are being changed by their own service. Anna told us one day on the way home how working at CA makes her think of Bolivia, where she was forced to have to where clothes that didn’t fit and were not to her taste. We are all starting to “see” differently. I find myself choosing to give away things I thought I “needed”. Gradually, it has become apparent to me that we “need” a lot less clothes/things than we use to. I use to “keep” everything that fitted, and now I think we only need to “keep” our favorite things.

Last Christmas, Ruth and I were discussing participating in the Angel Tree. She asked if instead we could buy something for a girl in her class. She had noticed that her coat was very old and dirty and didn’t fit her properly. I was amazed that even at this age she had begun to notice the poverty right around her. And Huck gives me the most hope that we are changing. When we first started he would sit in a corner and play with the toys we brought for him. But the last two times he refuses his toys. He wants to help, too and he hands us all coathangers.

When we first went to CA, we were a little anxious, but now we are right at home. The girls (and Huck too) know their way around, and have a sense of belonging. I think it is becoming as normal a part of our life as pizza and swim meets. And I think that’s part of God’s desire for us. I now find myself thinking “what next?” How else does God want me to give myself to the needy in my community. Now giving money and going to CA doesn’t quite seem like enough. I think he wants more, and I do too. Doing God’s desire is too rich an experience to miss.

By the way, we like taking “visitors” with us so if you want to come along just shoot us an email.