Yesterday and this coming Saturday our band is hosting "Christmas in July", two Christmas-music-concerts cum food drives benefiting the Central Virginia Foodbank. Last night the concert was leading up to a Richmond Braves baseball game, and one of our volunteers, Jen Foltz, who helped collect the donated canned goods just sent me the following report. It made me smile and choke up at the same time, and did I mention humbled?
"I enjoy working with Offering because it gives me the opportunity to nurture my spirit. Yesterday I was put in charge of collecting food at the Braves game. Offering had joined in conjunction with the Richmond Braves to collect food for the Central Virginia Food Bank at the annual “Christmas in July” celebration. If patrons brought 4 cans of food per person they could receive a ticket into the game. We “sold” 108 tickets before I left last night.
There were quite a few times during my 3 hour stint that I thanked God for the opportunity to see His children in action. But, a few of those times stand out because they were so special.
One such time was when a man came over to me and, as he was placing his bag of food into the box, I asked him how many tickets he needed. “None,” he replied, “I am a season ticket holder.”
There were other people who came to put food in the box who didn’t need the tickets I was handing out. They were just in it for the giving.
Another poignant moment that will stick with me as the reason I do Offering gigs, was when I turned to my left and coming across the parking lot was a line of children carrying plastic bags. A mismatch of kids, they carried their bags proudly as they followed the leader of the troupe like ducklings following their mama. As they got closer, I smiled and greeted the woman leading this “hit parade”. I asked her how many tickets she needed and one by one those little children stepped up to the box and handed her the food they were carrying. She counted aloud as she placed the food into the box, “One, two, three…” right up to ten tickets. Some of the kids only had one or two cans of food, but every one of them contributed to those ten tickets.
During this time I was mentally counting the number of people in their little party. There were two adults and twelve kids. I counted out the ten tickets for their food and then asked, “How many people do you have with you?” She told me there were fourteen of them and they had driven all the way from Charlottesville to be able to donate food for this worthy cause. As she turned to go purchase the remaining tickets they needed, I thought, “There is nothing better than seeing these kids, most of whom have probably been the recipients of a food bank a time or two, being so happy and willing to give a little.” I called out to the woman and with tears in my eyes, handed her four more tickets. “I think we can afford to give out a few extra,” I said.
She took the tickets, smiled, and said, “Say thank you, kids.”
A chorus of “Thank You” filled the air and the little troupe turned; hands empty save for those tickets they now clutched as if they were made of gold. "
A small thing, but many small things...... somehow we must make a difference.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Back in country
Monday, July 16, 2007
Catching up......
I'm still in Holland, and have less internet access than expected...... so, for now, catch up with the 40 day fast here. And I will start catching up for real sometime tomorrow. Or as soon as my internet connection decides to cooperate :).
Monday, July 9, 2007
Days 15-18: update
I am at the airport getting ready to fly to Holland, and the past four days have been positively crazy and I have gotten behind!!!
So, very quickly (they are calling our flight :)): today's blogger: Scott.
Yesterday: Todd.
Saturday: William
And Friday: Valerie
As I have internet access overseas, I will keep up better. And will be praying for all of the bloggers. And perhaps get some more people in the Netherlands following and participating in the fast!
Boarding now.....
So, very quickly (they are calling our flight :)): today's blogger: Scott.
Yesterday: Todd.
Saturday: William
And Friday: Valerie
As I have internet access overseas, I will keep up better. And will be praying for all of the bloggers. And perhaps get some more people in the Netherlands following and participating in the fast!
Boarding now.....
Friday, July 6, 2007
Christmas in July
This coming Monday my hubby and I are leaving for the Netherlands for two weeks (I was born and raised there and my entire family still loves there) to celebrate my birthday and to spend some time with my mom, especially. My dad passed away this past January, and the year has been challenging so far, to say the least. But I am looking forward to this time, even though it will be bittersweet and not always easy. (I will be taking my laptop, so I'll keep up with the fast :))
Right now, I am trying to get ready to go - the house, the dogs, the cat (our house/pet sitter that we had lined up fell through yesterday) and an event that I am putting on with our band immediately after I get back: Christmas in July. We're hosting two concerts (July 25 and July 28), one before a Richmond Braves baseball game and one marathon 8-hour concert at a local restaurant that trains people with disabilities for work in the restaurant world (The Positive Vibe Cafe, and we ask everyone attending to bring non-perishable food items to benefit the Central Virginia Foodbank. It's the second year in a row we're doing this, and it's a lot of fun, although slightly insane (98 degrees and singing "Winter wonderland" or "O come all ye faithful" - it can be a funny feeling).
Why am I posting this? Because it turns out that July in many cities and states is the absolutely slowest month for Foodbanks, food pantries, and other organizations/ministries that reach out to people who do not have enough to eat. Summer=vacation, summer=hot weather and we eat less during hot weather so how could anyone else be hungry?, summer=different routine and our usual routines may not work..... And in the midst of all that it is still flabbergasting to me that there are so many people that stll do not have that most basic of human needs: daily bread. The few cans we donate will not solve that. But it has to start somewhere. So..... if you read this, consider making a donation to your local Foodbank, or to an organization like Food for the Hungry, or to any of the organizations highlighted during the 40 day fast, because most if not all work to meet this need in some way, shape, or form. Oh, and if you live anywhere close to Richmond VA - come hang out with us on July 25 and 28 (click here for details).
(And no, this is not an official "40 day fast post". But it fits I think.)
Right now, I am trying to get ready to go - the house, the dogs, the cat (our house/pet sitter that we had lined up fell through yesterday) and an event that I am putting on with our band immediately after I get back: Christmas in July. We're hosting two concerts (July 25 and July 28), one before a Richmond Braves baseball game and one marathon 8-hour concert at a local restaurant that trains people with disabilities for work in the restaurant world (The Positive Vibe Cafe, and we ask everyone attending to bring non-perishable food items to benefit the Central Virginia Foodbank. It's the second year in a row we're doing this, and it's a lot of fun, although slightly insane (98 degrees and singing "Winter wonderland" or "O come all ye faithful" - it can be a funny feeling).
Why am I posting this? Because it turns out that July in many cities and states is the absolutely slowest month for Foodbanks, food pantries, and other organizations/ministries that reach out to people who do not have enough to eat. Summer=vacation, summer=hot weather and we eat less during hot weather so how could anyone else be hungry?, summer=different routine and our usual routines may not work..... And in the midst of all that it is still flabbergasting to me that there are so many people that stll do not have that most basic of human needs: daily bread. The few cans we donate will not solve that. But it has to start somewhere. So..... if you read this, consider making a donation to your local Foodbank, or to an organization like Food for the Hungry, or to any of the organizations highlighted during the 40 day fast, because most if not all work to meet this need in some way, shape, or form. Oh, and if you live anywhere close to Richmond VA - come hang out with us on July 25 and 28 (click here for details).
(And no, this is not an official "40 day fast post". But it fits I think.)
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Day fourteen: orphans in Bulgaria
Today's blogger for the 40 day fast: Susanne.
Her cause: orphans in Bulgaria. Her organization: Bulgarian Child.
Matthew 25:34-36
34Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
And a note - I have been trying to keep up with all the blogs participating in the 40 day fast, and each on of the sites is turning into a great resource for anyone that ever thinks, or says "Where do I start? What can I do? There are so many needs....." Yes, there are too many needs to list. But you have to start somewhere, and there are lots of starting points here. And that is one of the many reasons I love what we're doing these 40 days, and I hope that as a group, as a community, in some way we will continue this after July 31.
Her cause: orphans in Bulgaria. Her organization: Bulgarian Child.
Matthew 25:34-36
34Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
And a note - I have been trying to keep up with all the blogs participating in the 40 day fast, and each on of the sites is turning into a great resource for anyone that ever thinks, or says "Where do I start? What can I do? There are so many needs....." Yes, there are too many needs to list. But you have to start somewhere, and there are lots of starting points here. And that is one of the many reasons I love what we're doing these 40 days, and I hope that as a group, as a community, in some way we will continue this after July 31.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Day thirteen: the least of these
Wow. Today's blogger: Steven.
"but go to your inner city. find a community center. volunteer to read stories to kids at the local children's hospital. go to a food bank. a mission. give your time.
take the spare burgers and hot dogs from your cookout and find the homeless guy on the corner. the one holding the sign that you don't make eye contact with every day at the red light.
instead of putting the leftovers in the fridge to be thrown away in a couple of days, feed someone with them.
instead of talking about change. instead of blogging about change. be a part of it."
Thank you, Steven.
"but go to your inner city. find a community center. volunteer to read stories to kids at the local children's hospital. go to a food bank. a mission. give your time.
take the spare burgers and hot dogs from your cookout and find the homeless guy on the corner. the one holding the sign that you don't make eye contact with every day at the red light.
instead of putting the leftovers in the fridge to be thrown away in a couple of days, feed someone with them.
instead of talking about change. instead of blogging about change. be a part of it."
Thank you, Steven.
Day twelve: God of Justice
Today's blogger: Jeremy Thiessen. He posted an incredible song by Tim Hughes. I am not going to post it here because I want you to go read his site :).
Monday, July 2, 2007
Day eleven: clean water
Today's blogger: Ryan G..
His cause: lack of clean drinking water. Read this. It is mind-boggling. And then take this challenge (I know I will):
"For 2 weeks, make water your only beverage. Save the money that you would normally spend on sodas, coffee and sports drinks for two weeks. Then take that money and donate it - I suggest to Living Water International".
Thank you, Ryan, for this post.
His cause: lack of clean drinking water. Read this. It is mind-boggling. And then take this challenge (I know I will):
"For 2 weeks, make water your only beverage. Save the money that you would normally spend on sodas, coffee and sports drinks for two weeks. Then take that money and donate it - I suggest to Living Water International".
Thank you, Ryan, for this post.
Day ten: orphans in China
Yesterday's blogger: Truevyne. Her cause: orphans in China. Here's a quote from her blog:
"Children with any problems at all are sometimes dumped, because they have some imperfection. For example, a child might happen to have the misfortune of being a girl. Boys grow up to be parent's means to "social security", and a girl certainly could not be expected to provide for parents in old age. So Chinese orphanages house many more females than males, and generally only healthy girls are to be adopted from their country. Special need boy adoptions are the exception, not the rule. Children with a cleft palate or another medically treatable disease become orphans, because parents simply could never afford to pay for surgeries. Also, physical imperfections lead to second or third class citizenship just like they do here in the U.S., so parents look for a healthy and whole boy to secure their future and abandon the lesser. The worst poverty of all is the children who are aborted, because parents cannot afford the government fines imposed for second children.".
"Children with any problems at all are sometimes dumped, because they have some imperfection. For example, a child might happen to have the misfortune of being a girl. Boys grow up to be parent's means to "social security", and a girl certainly could not be expected to provide for parents in old age. So Chinese orphanages house many more females than males, and generally only healthy girls are to be adopted from their country. Special need boy adoptions are the exception, not the rule. Children with a cleft palate or another medically treatable disease become orphans, because parents simply could never afford to pay for surgeries. Also, physical imperfections lead to second or third class citizenship just like they do here in the U.S., so parents look for a healthy and whole boy to secure their future and abandon the lesser. The worst poverty of all is the children who are aborted, because parents cannot afford the government fines imposed for second children.".
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