I'm still awake at this late hour processing the events of the day. Volunteering has been one of the highlights of each week of mine since I began over a year ago. I love being around the people, both those whom serve and those being served. I find that on most of my days I learn more than what I give. Today was one such experience.
Today was a long anticipated day off from work and I was looking forward to doing nothing. My hopes were that the roommates would be gone and I could enjoy the day in quietness. I knew, however, that I was expected to be in Arlington. The problem with that was that I did not want to go. Bleh. I spent most of the morning trying to talk my self out it. Finally, as I thought it through logic won over want. So I made the drive, fought the traffic, and even prayed though I still had a cranky attitude.
When we ( two teenage volunteers) and I got to the property. we went door-to-door handing out fliers for the summer program we will be doing. The two girls rounded one side of the building together and I took the other. I knocked on one door and visited with a regular and then moved on to the next one. The lady who answered was in her early twenties and had a three year old and an infant. As I told her what was going on with the flier I surveyed her apartment. They were sitting on the floor, no chairs in sight. There was a small table with a dated t.v., a small cabinet, and a collection of toys. In the kitchen area was a small folding table that was pushed to one side. That was all.
So I did what I do so well and kept talking! I started making a list of furnishings that were missing. I got her name and number and told her I would be in touch. Previously I had told her who I was with and that I wanted to bring some stuff to her. Did I mention that I was talking in broken Spanish and she was doing her best in broken English? :)
After a couple of hours of walking around the property we made it back to the mission and I couldn't wait to see what we could do for this young family. Within thirty minutes we had a truck loaded with living room furniture, a kitchen table and a hodgepodge of chairs, and a bed. So back we went. This precious family didn't know what hit 'em. Six of us made our way upstairs delivering the most random mix of furniture that you can imagine. On my way out the door she kept smiling and thanking me. Her expression was so different than the first time she opened the door!
The furniture was without a doubt a blessing to them and just as much to me. If I had insisted on staying home I would have missed this opportunity. This door may have been passed by or answered but not given much thought. I've helped in situations like this before where we meet people on our property who have nothing, but this one was just more personal for some reason.
God has such a way of meeting needs and demonstrating his love for us. It was a great experience to be a part of that. And it's another example of how God's plan for us is often more than what we see for ourselves.
