Matt and I volunteered today with an organization. (It was rather last minute that we decided to do it, and we were very tired first thing in the morning as you can tell by the picture of us!) They came to Springfield today and it was in the planning for months. I found this on their website:
Community Outreaches
Each year in the United States we hold up to 50 community outreaches with the help of thousands of volunteers who serve tens of thousands of guests. At each outreach free groceries, job and health fairs, and activities for children are provided. In doing so, volunteers are given an opportunity to connect with members of their community, and guests are shown love and respect regardless of age, race, physical appearance, or spiritual condition.
Matt met a lady a few months ago who was in charge of running the "shoe tent" where they were giving out 2000 pairs of sneakers to kids ages 14 and under. We worked under her in that department. The lines were far down the road as people were waiting to get into the event. The lines for the shoes (you can see some of the people in the bottom photo) was SO long. People waited for a long time to get shoes for their kids.
Matt attended a rally the night before for COH and the need of the city of Springfield was pointed out over and over. We were told of the poverty in the city and how important it was to meet these needs.
What we saw was need alright. Great need. However, it wasn't physical poverty, it was spiritual poverty. Depravity like I've never seen it. We were totally shocked at what Cameron called "greedy not needy" people. The attitude of entitlement was crazy. People were getting angry at having to wait or being told they needed to get a ticket before being sized for shoes. One boy was hoping they had some Air Jordans. People were lying - trying to get ahead in the line. I saw kids and adults who dress far nicer than I and my family do. I could hardly handle looking at the shoes of the kids going in to get new ones. BRAND NEW brand name sneakers were on these kids feet before they went into the shoe tent. I am not unhappy that kids have nice shoes- just don't understand how they need to get new ones at the event. The parents/grandparents/aunts that were with the kids were so mean to the kids. It broke my heart. One girl who looked about 3 or 4 years old was in the front of a stroller just crying quietly- tears running down her face and deep sadness in her eyes. No one was looking at her. As I was walking down the walkway at one point, a little boy came out of nowhere and threw his arms around me for a hug. Right after, a second boy did the same thing and when I came down to his level to hug him better he grabbed on to me and didn't want to let go.
These kids need more than shoes, food, haircuts, bouncy houses. They need Jesus. Plain and simple. The God of the City, the Hope to the Hopeless, the Light in the Darkness.
Where does God want us? How can we make His name known in Springfield? We are praying, seeking, listening.
No comments:
Post a Comment