Inside Out

(Inside Out efforts create deliberate opportunities for the people of GCF to show God's love and kindness to our community in tangible ways -- with no strings attached.)

2007

On Sunday, October 7, we have an opportunity to feed the hungy and provide items to those less fortunate at the Washington Jefferson Park. We will be serving up hamburgers and goodies while making available clothes, tarps, and other winter items from 9am - 3pm. There are a variety of ways to help with this project, too. Check the sign ups at GCF or click here for a list of the items needed. Last year around 800 plates of food were served while people listened to music and kids participated in various activities. It was a meaningful time in several ways for all. Contact us with questions. This is an excellent way for Grace Groups to work together.

Driving Directions to Washington/Jefferson Street Park

2006 -- Seeds of Hope:
We have tried in the fall months of 2006 to do a lot of things “Inside Out” as a church and bring Jesus to our community in some practical ways. Recently a group of men from the 4x4 team helped a woman at the Abbie Lane apartments move. The following is a thank you note from one of our church members who lives in the apartments. Sometimes, it is in little moments like these that Christ is shown to those who don’t know him in ways they might not have imagined. Praise God for these opportunities to do small and simple things that speak to people in big ways.
“…They were so impressed with how many guys showed up and didn't judge them, just showed so much love! And that nobody complained or cursed! Other friends that helped this week didn't show them love by just doing! Some of the guys brought their sons which I thought was great! She said, she could feel the love and was so appreciative of the help! It totally opened up an opportunity to talk about the Lord and to share a little about my testimony! I was even able to show her the church! I was so high in the Lord from talking to her that she felt that God must exist! Guys, Thank you so much because you laid the foundation for me to speak to them about a God who loves and works things out! …the woman we helped also said she has never received love like this from any church!!!! This has opened the door for God to plant his seeds of hope!”

>> Also, in the Fall 2006 we made three main efforts to serve our community and the neighbors around us. Here is a brief update on how these efforts went.

Gift Wrapping at Valley River Center:
Many people volunteered to wrap presents for free over three weekends leading up to Christmas. I cannot tell you how many times we received blank stares from people who could not believe we were doing this wrapping for free -- as a gift to them. It became apparent quite quickly that our culture believes that no one does anything for “free” these days. There is always a catch somewhere. In explaining that these efforts were our gift to the community this season and that it was one practical way of showing God’s kindness to them, most people appeared to be truly appreciative. If nothing else, the people saw that a church was willing to serve without asking for money!

One lady, who after a few minutes of trying to convince us to take her donation, requested the names of all those working at that time. Two weeks later she brought back a very sincere thank you card for those people, expressing her appreciation and how it "...brightened [her] day." I believe she was honestly touched by the effort.

In another situation, even though our limit was four gifts (give or take a few), one individual gave us about 20 separate items to wrap. Needless to say, I think we had a little miscommunication taking place. Anyway, we worked him in around other gifts and he walked away with an armload of wrapped presents, ready for Christmas celebration. He was truly thankful and, it seemed, shocked that the service was free.

Yet another situation had a gentleman standing with his wallet open, dumbfounded that the service was for free. After explaining our reasons, he walked away in disbelief.

Finally, several women with little kids seemed to appreciate the gift more than others. It doesn’t take much to imagine how their lives were made a little simpler after knowing they didn’t have to wrap gifts when they got home!

All in all, I believe many people were able to experience God's kindness in a practical way during this time. Did anybody actually meet Jesus during this time? I don’t know. But I do know that they experienced His love in a tangible way. Remember, we do not know what role we are playing in each person’s journey (John 4:37-38). In an ironic sort of way, I heard several comments that the people serving were as blessed as those receiving the present!

WOW Hall Christmas Meal for the Homeless:
David Robertson (the main leader) communicated to me that the event went very well and many people received an excellent meal who might have not otherwise. A few comments I received from those who attended reiterated what David said. A special thank you to those of you who stepped up to provide spiral hams, too!

Angel Tree/Abbie Lane Present Delivery:
The purchasing and delivery of gifts this season went well. Delivering the gifts brought about many memorable moments as some families invited us in to participate with them, some were noticeably shocked at the gifts in general, and others realized that their children would actually be able to open some gifts this year.

In one special case with an Angel Tree family, the six-year-old girl opened the door and invited in the gift deliverers before Grandma actually got to the door. The group from GCF was also invited to watch the kids open the presents. The little girl was having difficulty pulling off the Angel Tree tag from the present. You see, she is collecting the stickers each year that she gets gifts from her Dad and Mom, who are both in prison. The girl stated that she will be an adult before they get out. Whoever bought the presents did a wonderful job of thoughtfully selecting items according to the request, too. The young girl was quite pleased and grateful as she opened each present. Later, the Grandma communicated that we have no idea how much these efforts mean to the kids AND to the parents in prison. Simple ways that help the family stay in touch. Upon leaving, the GCFers said they didn’t know if their tears were from joy or sadness of the situation. I tend to believe both are true. Nonetheless, a little girl was connected once again with her parents during this difficult time. Serving Jesus in this particular way merely requires being obedient to the ideas He places on our hearts.

In the Abbie Lane apartments, gift giving was again received with gratefulness from the families. We handed them out with the warmth that only Sasha can best do. She has done an incredible job of loving her neighbors on a consistent basis. As we were leaving for the evening, we ran into two guys from the GCF 4x4 Team who were just completing some repairs on a dryer that was not working properly. What a coincidence! Hopefully all of these efforts will continue to communicate Jesus’ love to these folks.

Again, it seems to me that, although it is not the reason why we make an effort in these areas, that those who serve are often blessed as much or more than those receiving the gifts.

In all actuality, I really don’t care if anyone who was served this season ever comes to one our church services at GCF. But I do care if they meet Jesus in a real and life-changing way. If you are wondering how we can follow up to these events, I invite you to pray for the people who received any of these gifts this season. Pray that the encounter might reveal to them who Jesus really is.

 

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