Yesterday was our annual Operation Serve put on by our church. Basically it's a day when 1,000 people split up into 30 teams spread out over the city of Clarksville and SERVE! There are projects for everyone from young to old, and for the littlest kids who are really too young, there is childcare provided.
Last year we went to the pumpkin patch where we hung out with a bunch of kids and adults with special needs. We took them around the patch, played games with them and basically just showed them the love of God and had a wonderful time!
This year our family split up into several different teams. Friday night my mom and Kassidy joined my mom's community group at a nursing home where they served dinner and hung out with the residents there. Yesterday they made teddy bears which will be delivered to the Clarksville police department and go to kids who are in crisis such as auto accidents, domestic disputes, emergencies, etc.
Frank worked with a crew at a local high school where they painted and put tables and chairs together and made an amazing lounge for the seniors. I'm sure they're going to be REALLY excited when they see it on Monday morning!
Kameron and I signed up for a project called Random Acts of Kindness. In the morning we went to the mall and handed out bottles of water and chips to people walking in. I have to say, there were several skeptics. "What's the catch?" they would ask. No catch, totally free, we're just here to serve. No fliers, no speeches, we're just here to put a smile on your face. It seemed like the older people were, the more cynical they seemed to be. This wasn't always the case of course, but many hurried past us, avoiding eye contact, probably because they thought we'd either ask for money or preach to them! However, we made a lot of people smile and Kameron LOVED holding the door open for everyone and telling them to, "have a nice day!"
After lunch, our team went to the hospital where we handed out balloons, flowers, cookies and other snacks to patients and visitors there. They were much more receptive. The first place we went was the ICU waiting room. Our team leader announced who we were and why we were there and one man immediately started crying and saying he needed prayer. A group from our team was able to pray with several of his family members in the hallway in front of his fathers room. Kameron said, "This makes me want to cry." There was not a dry eye anywhere I don't think. When the prayer was over, Kameron said, "OK now who wants COOKIES!" HA! It made the family laugh through their tears, if nothing else. I don't know that family, or their circumstances, but I've been praying for them off and on ever since.
We visited all the other floors after that, we got to see brand new babies, we got to sing happy birthday to a young man who just celebrated his 80th birthday, we got to visit with a little boy who really wanted to play his video games instead of talking to us! haha And we got to brighten the day of a lot of people who may not otherwise have family to visit. We saw a lot of smiles today and walked out with empty hands and full hearts!
I love Operation Serve! I know I was out there to minister to other people, but just like last year I'm the one who left feeling ministered to. It inspires me to find ways to serve others all year long, and helps me remember that sometimes it's the little things that mean SO much to others. I can't WAIT until next year!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
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8 comments:
Yes - it was fun! Kassidy has a heart for our seniors - even those that couldn't communicate with her very well responded to her hugs. It was fun watching her putting mustard on hamburgers and hot dogs and passing out cupcakes. She did a great job! We made over 50 Teddy Bears with the team on Saturday - these will actually go to the Clarksville Police Department to give to children in crisis, such as auto accidents, domestic disputes, emergencies, etc. I traced patterns, cut out and Kass put the stuffing in - we had a great team of over 20!
Love,
Mom
That sounds so totally AWESOME!! And what great "family" projects. When I think of the long six months I spent continually at the hospital with my husband, I would have soooooo welcomed a group like yours to have come in! Sounds like it should be more than once a year. :-)...........Robbin
You know, I've noticed that the older folks do seem to be more cautious and skeptical. I wonder why that is?!
Leave it to Kameron to lighten the mood right? He's quite the character isn't he?
Sounds like a great thing you guys do there in Clarksville, TN. Good for you. Keep up the good work!
For Goodness Sakes!! When you kept referring to "operation serve" somehow i thought it was military related!!
but then again, i was the girl who thought that it was monday this morning, instead of sunday.
:-)
Beautiful Work...Beautiful Family
You continue to Inspire.
lots o love
e & molly kate
Oh, that's beautiful. I'd like to use the idea of Operation Serve for my brownie troop. Thanks for the smile (through the tears).
What a great thing! I must admit I probably would have been one of those people avoiding eye contact. I would have thought you were selling something. Sounds like you had a very rewarding day though. And how great to be a part of seeing your children embracing something like that.
So cool!...what a way to spread the love of Jesus...it's awesome that you were able to share that with your kids too! :)
What a great idea and wonderful for the children to learn to give back to the community. Can I get more into on this some how? I would love to have our church do this. HOpe the kids are feeling better soon!
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