First Fruits: Beyond the Event
First Fruits took place on Nov. 19th, but the fruit extends far beyond this day and the delivery of groceries. We were all blessed in more ways that we could have asked or imagined. We had over 500 volunteers come out, spread over 27 teams that did more than 140 jobs on a beautiful Fall day, that raised funds for more than 90 families in need. Many of our First Fruits families are struggling with unemployment or underemployment, working multiple jobs to care for their families and still not covering their bills. More than 10 of our families may soon lose their homes. Many are also struggling with the loss of a spouse, divorce, major medical bills, and crippling disabilities. First Fruits is about providing encouragement to families in the midst of these struggles as the result of teams often literally expending themselves on their behalf.
Our teams were able to see the first fruits of their labor the same day by shopping and then visiting 31 of the families on the evening of Nov. 19th. The groceries (the small part of the First Fruits gift) together with Shoppers Food Warehouse gift cards provides as close to a month’s worth of groceries for each family as possible. Beyond the groceries, the teams were able to encourage and often pray with some of the families in the midst of some very tough times. One family of four shares a two-bedroom apartment with another family. The team leader has stayed in touch with the family and is putting together a Christmas gift. Another of our teams brought groceries and visited with an Iraq veteran and his family, who are working through the challenges of a brain injury. Team members have stayed in touch with the family, who has also now visited RBC several times. Another team visited a family about to lose their home to foreclosure – yet another reminder of how things that look great on the outside can mask the turmoil and pain taking place on the inside. I’m thankful that our team went beyond the exterior to pray with and minister to the family, encouraging them to not give up.
Thanks to the Lord’s blessing, First Fruits was also able to go beyond these 31 families to include another 60 families in need. One of these families was out of food, had been praying for help, and then received the grocery gift cards unexpectedly that day from a friend that attends the RBC Spanish church. She is still praising the Lord for his provision at just the right time. The wife of another First Fruits family had brain surgery, and after recovering from the surgery, she returned to work and was immediately laid off from her job. Her husband is also out of work. When they were given the First Fruit gift, the husband was thankful, speechless, and surprised that church teenagers would work to help those in need.
One story of a single mother is a further reminder of how important it is for us as the body of Christ to be looking up and caring for those God has placed in our lives. This mom was referred through a First Fruits captain that saw her need and reached out on her behalf. She had been a property manager, lost her job in the downturn, and is now doing a short sale on her home. Her story is still unfolding, but she sends thanks for the unexpected help from First Fruits that provided key encouragement over Thanksgiving at exactly the right time. She too has visited RBC a couple times.
There are many other stories still unfolding from First Fruits and how the RBC body is in motion looking out for neighbors, Shepherd Group members, family members, coworkers, or friends met through church, school, or a child’s sport’s team. Financial struggles cross all lines and neighborhoods. And, thankfully, the RBC body is reaching across these lines. I know there is more fruit to come.
Giving Thanks: Guilford Thanksgiving Dinner
Thanks to all who participated in the Guilford Elementary’s 3rd Annual Thanksgiving Dinner last Monday, November. Whether you came and served, donated pies, or cooked turkeys, all of your efforts resulted in a fun family gathering as the Guilford families enjoyed a good ol’ American Thanksgiving dinner.
This was a real community gathering, with several organizations helping out. Teachers from the school, RBCers, and Little League volunteers all worked side by side to bless these families. For many of the families, this was their first taste of stuffing, which we learned has no Spanish word equivalent since it is not a food they eat in their countries. Maybe it’s a universal thing, but it appears that most kids don’t like stuffing. Also universal is the look of dislike and the shake of the head “no” – but all were polite and said “no thank you” if they didn’t care for any (although their faces were priceless!)
Hundreds of people came out for the dinner. The rain and long walk from where they parked on the ball field didn’t seem to dampen anyone’s spirits. Even though the line of people waiting for their turn for food wrapped around the building hallways, everyone was patient and excited for the feast to come. It reminded me of what the disciples must have felt like with the loaves and the fishes, for as many people as kept coming, there seemed to be more food as the evening progressed. And after all had been fed, the volunteers, at last, took a few minutes to sit down, rest and have some dinner as well.
Due to the abundance, the residents at the Embry Rucker Homeless Shelter in Reston also enjoyed a Thanksgiving feast.
Many thanks for all who helped to bless our neighbors.
– – –
“Then 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. For 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, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
– Matthew 35:34-40
Giving Thanks: Book Drive
When I came to work on Monday, in my mailbox I found a stack of thank-you notes from the children at Guilford. These notes were in response from our recent book drive, which provided over 2000 books to these kids, most of whom had no books of their own before the drive. When you give from your abundance, it is so humbling to be thanked. Some of the kids wrote that they wished they could come to our church (I wish that too!). One even wrote that we must have a good God and a great faith. This came from a first-grader, just because we gave him a couple of books.
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. – Matthew 5:16
When you come to services this weekend, we will have on display some of the thank-you notes that we have received from the students of Guilford. It seems appropriate on Thanksgiving weekend to share these sentiments with the congregation. Thank you for enriching these children’s lives by putting books in their hands. In the words of one student “Thank you. Really, I’m not kidding.”
If you weren’t able to bring in your books this fall, we will be having another book drive in the Spring. Hold on to those books, and keep your eye out for an announcement in March 2012.
Giving Thanks: The Food Pantry
In the two months since we re-opened the food pantry, we have jumped up to serving more than 130 families a week. Almost 100% of our food pantry guests are Hispanic – and that has given us some challenges to overcome. While we have adapted what we are stocking on the shelves to better meet their needs, we are still learning. In my ignorance I did not realize how different corn meal is from corn flour – and corn flour is the number-one item in demand and that we cannot keep up with the demand! I am regularly wiping out the shelves in our local grocery stores as I buy every package of corn flour they have. Oil to cook the tortillas being made from the corn flour is also in high demand.
One of the culturally different things that we have had to adjust to is the need for larger sized diapers. The tendency in these cultures appears to be to potty-train their children much later than we do. Again, in my ignorance, I thought that if you are struggling financially that you would potty train your children as early as possible to cut down on the expense of diapers. But that is not the case, and we are now stocking larger diapers to meet the need.
My prayer as we move forward is that we would have more volunteers, and in particular more Spanish speakers to interact with our guests – not just getting their food for them, but sitting with them and getting to know them. The Lord has begun a good work, and now is the time to take it to the next level – sharing our hope with these people who need hope.
This past week we had a new challenge, one that I had not anticipated. Many of our first-time visitors to the food pantry were illiterate. We have been diligent to have our signs and forms be in both English and Spanish – but that is not very helpful to someone who cannot read either language. How does that person cope with the challenges of living in Northern Virginia if they can’t read? The Lord provided some very kind folks who helped them fill out the sign in sheet and their food order form, and all was well for the moment. But it broke my heart just a little more.
Please pray for our outreach to a diverse group of people with different backgrounds, cultures and challenges. Pray for the Lord to raise up more volunteers, and in particular to raise up someone who’s heart is to reach these people. We really need someone who has the time and heart to take this ministry to the next level. And as you visit with family and friends this Thanksgiving, and eat too much and laugh a lot, and enjoy all that the Lord has blessed you with – be thankful.
If you are willing to donate to the food pantry, consider going to a local Dollar Store, and purchasing several bottles of oil, packages of sugar, canisters of coffee, shampoos, deodorants. For the same amount of money you could bless multiple families in need. We have recurring needs for staple items like corn flour (not corn meal), white flour, oil, sugar, cereal, oatmeal, dried beans, rice, canned soup, canned chicken, tuna, ham and chili. Smaller size containers of items such as flour and sugar are helpful, so we can assist more people. The hygiene items most needed are: laundry detergent, soap, toilet paper, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, sanitary pads, baby wipes, and formula (preferably Similac). Due to a generous donation from the Huggies “A Diaper for Every Bottom” campaign we will not need diapers for some time. You can also donate financially to this ministry by putting “food pantry” in the memo line of your check and dropping it in an offering box during weekend services.
Thank you for your ongoing generosity. Please contact me if you would like more information on getting involved with the RBC Food Pantry.
Giving Thanks: Trunk-or-Treat
Snow. On October 29th. During our Trunk-or-Treat Halloween outreach event. Is that even possible? Well, it’s not only possible – it happened! Many thanks to all who with very little notice jumped in and transformed their creative car trunk decorating ideas into inside, car-less decorating ideas.
We had 46 spots filled with decorations, games, and wonderful people in costumes giving out candy to the hundreds and hundreds of children who came out to trick or treat with us. I have to admit, I had my doubts about how many people would venture out on a cold and slushy night with their kids in costumes – but as usual, the Lord showed me what a waste of time worrying is. With a warm and bright place to trick or treat we had an overwhelming turn out, with kids and parents dress in costumes and ready to spend a safe, fun filled evening with their family. After playing games and trick or treating, the children were treated to a puppet show and snacks, or could stop by and do a Halloween craft. For me the best part was there wasn’t a single crying child getting scared of what might pop out in the dark. Many of our neighbors and friends from Guilford came to see what we are about.
Our “parking spots” were amazingly creative with the Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland’s Mad Hatter Tea Party, pirates, campers, and Christmas, just to name a few. Our grand prize winner for creativity was our new Pastor of Young Adults, Wayne Johnson and his Shepherd Group who did the movie UP, complete with the house, balloons, Carl (now we know what Wayne will look like when he’s 80!), Russell, and the rare bird, Kevin.
A huge thanks to everyone that helped – set-up, clean-up, snacks, crafts, and of course the “parking spots”. It takes a lot of help to put on an event like this, and we couldn’t do it without our wonderful volunteers.
In the end – despite the snow and last-minute adjustments due to less-than-ideal weather – we were able to serve RBC families and bless many neighbors from our surrounding community (several of whom showed up for worship services the next morning!) We continue to pray for hearts to open to the Gospel as we show the love of Christ in fun and practical ways through events such as this.
Giving Thanks: International Connection
Picture the Clubhouse room in the RBC Children’s Ministry area with crowds of people all speaking different languages. Women wearing head scarves. Buddhist monks in their orange flowing robes. Children of all colors racing around. The smell of Thai noodles and Iranian pilaf. This was the scene of the annual International Connection Thanksgiving Dinner on Tues. Nov. 15th.
International Connection is the English as a second language program at RBC. We have classes on Tuesday nights and Wednesday mornings. Last year’s enrollment of adult students was a little anemic as local internationals had a hard time finding our new church facility. This year is an entirely different story! Student registration has been extremely robust. We finally had to cut it off when class sizes started to outgrow their effectiveness due to their growing sizes.
Every November, we put on a Thanksgiving Dinner for the students and their families. This year, the Bereans adult fellowship group provided the traditional Thanksgiving food (turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, pies, etc.) and students brought dishes from their home countries. It was an outstanding buffet! Homemade spring rolls, pupusas, taquitos, rice pilaf and more! To make matters more complicated, we had the greatest number of participants ever – 160 bodies! The Clubhouse was set up for 150, but we stretched the limit and were forced to make a classroom the buffet room.
Before dinner, one of the teachers, Marca Fritzemeier, explained the 5 corn kernel story concerning the plight of the first Pilgrims to Plymouth Rock. Each place setting had a small cup of 5 candy corn kernels to illustrate the story.
After dinner, the children were dismissed to their childcare workers and we enjoyed a post-dinner program. A short video was shown on the history of the Thanksgiving holiday. This was followed by student speeches. A couple of representatives were selected from each class to tell what they were most thankful for. A surprising number of students mentioned their thanks to God and Jesus – totally unprompted by their teachers! Some expressed their thanks for our program, for their jobs, for their families and their health. One young man expressed his hope that someday soon his young daughter would be able to join him here from El Salvador. These were heartfelt words, and I was reminded of the
many everyday blessings that I take for granted.
Erik Palmer ended the evening with some well-chosen “Thanksgiving “songs that we all joined in on, thanks to the words on the screen. Appropriately, he also presented the gospel in a simple but thorough way and invited anyone who had questions to talk to him or I.C. staff later. It was a meaningful ending to a memorable evening. May God use our words, our relationships and our lives to reflect His goodness and love to these wonderful people.
‘Twas the Night Before Book Day
Have you ever videotaped your children when they first see what is under the Christmas tree on Christmas morning? That was what the children’s faces looked like last Tuesday at Guilford Elementary School. We surprised the students when they came in for “Picture Day” with 2,000 books piled on tables. The students were told that they could choose 3 books each to have for their very own. For many of these kids, these will be the first books that they have owned. They went back to their classrooms hugging their books and excited to be allowed to write their names inside – proof that they could keep them “forever and for always”. Many thanks to all who donated books to our first Book Drive for Guilford Elementary School, and a huge thank you to the volunteers who helped set up, assist the children, and clean up after the event.
– – –
‘Twas the night before Book Day
When in the Guilford gymnasium
Tables were set up
for the big surprise yet to come.
The boxes were unloaded by volunteers with care
In hopes that kids’ smiles soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds
With no idea of the special day that was ahead.
For our people are caring, and they give when we ask
So we stacked up those books – a formidable task!
We sorted those novels, the fiction and non
Picture books, tall tales and stories from beyond,
Goosebumps and Pokemon and Jillian Jigs
Sports books, and math books and tales about pigs.
The teachers were skeptical
as they waited their turn.
Would there be enough books
so their students could learn?
When what to their wondering eyes should appear
Books and more books, (there was no reason to fear!)
There were more than enough for each child to have three.
The hard part, of course – Which three would it be?
More rapid than eagles,
The children they came
And they whistled and shouted
And called books by name.
“Star Wars, and Hardy Boys,
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Junie B. Jones, and a book about squids!”
“Do you have Curious George?
Oh we just love them all –
Choose a book, choose a book,
It’s like a book mall!”
We had to explain to each little peep
That these books were for them
To take home and to keep.
Forever their own to love and to read,
Our people were so generous to help fill this need.
Each child stopped to thank us with words, waves and hugs.
Each child made an impact – my heartstrings felt tugs.
So I thank each of you for your giving and love.
Such a great witness of our Father above.
VIDEO: First Fruits
First Fruits is a service project that has rallied the RBC church body for over 20 years. It is a unique serving opportunity for families, shepherd groups, and individuals to come together and make a difference in the lives and families of others in our area who are in need of help and encouragement. Join us and you will be blessed to see the tangible “fruits” of your labors!
Learn more & get involved at www.restonbible.org/firstfruits
Don’t Volunteer at Guilford
That’s right: I said “Don’t volunteer at Guilford.” At least, don’t volunteer if you just want to do a little something nice for the underprivileged or if you are checking off the “help the community” box on your weekly to-do list.
You see, should you volunteer at Guilford, something will happen to you when you meet these kids. No longer will you be able to keep your heart’s door closed to the reality of the poor. Everything that you have carefully compartmentalized into statistics and bar charts and percentages of those-who-qualify-for-free-lunches suddenly become …people. Beautiful, unique, gifted individuals who face challenges that most of us cannot fully grasp – challenges that are out of their control.
I spent the afternoon at Guilford Elementary last Friday. I was the special guest of one of the third grade classes, and now I know what it feels like to be a rock star or Santa Claus. I was treated like royalty, given lots of hugs, and kids fought for the privilege of sitting next to me in the classroom (a first for me!)
The children had written thank-you letters for the things that RBC is doing for them. Many of the kids stood up and read me their letters, and some read to me from their writing journals. I was touched to the point of tears. One boy told me that he has wanted to go to a museum his WHOLE LIFE, and this year he will be able to go on the field trip because of the people from our church who paid for it for him. He also told me now he can think better in school because he’s not thinking about his tummy being hungry. One child said I was “such a nice teacher.” When I asked why he thought I was a teacher, he said it was because teachers are the ones who love you and take care of you, so I must be a teacher since I was getting people to give the children snacks. Kind of makes you think.
Don’t get me wrong, these aren’t perfect little Stepford children with large puppy dog eyes. These are real kids. Charming, silly, serious, thoughtful, impish, studious, sometimes disobedient, always enthusiastic and energetic, children. What overwhelmed me was that all of them were respectful and grateful. Both the haves and the have-nots were appreciative of all that RBC has done for their school. There was no sense of entitlement. Just thankfulness. It was humbling to realize how infrequently I am just thankful for what I have been given.
So there you have it. Don’t volunteer at Guilford, because once you meet the kids, suddenly it becomes about people, not programs. It becomes about justice and mercy and grace and love and sharing it with what Jesus called the “least of these”. So don’t do it, because try as hard as you can, I don’t think you can close your heart door to the “least of these” once the Lord has opened it.
(Click on the images to the right to read a few of the letters from Guilford students.)
Guilford Elementary Update
Thanks to the generosity of our people, our church has already been able to make a difference for the students and staff at Guilford Elementary school. Here are some brief updates on recent ways we have been able to serve the staff and students:
- RBC has been able to provide a water cooler and coffee for the staff, which they greatly appreciate.
- Every student will be able to go on their designated grade level field trip because of the field trip fund that we were able to provide them.
- The clinic has been stocked with new socks and underpants for use when a child is sick or has an unexpected accident.
- Each classroom has been given a mouse-proof box to store snacks for the kids that don’t bring a morning snack from home. We are providing snacks each month to fill these boxes.
- We have purchased balls for the students to play with during recess, and soprano recorders for the kids to use in music class (which is a requirement in the older grades and many of these students can’t afford).
- We have also been able to supply the school with tissues, disinfectant wipes, Ziploc bags, and other basic school supplies.
There still are lots of ways that you can be involved to help make a difference in the lives of our neighbors at Guilford.
BOOK DRIVE: For the next several weeks, we will be collecting new and gently used children’s books. Research shows that children who have books in their homes have significantly higher reading achievement than those who do not have access to books. We would like to provide each child with three books for them to keep. You can drop off your donation in the designated bins in the lobby. Books will be collected until October 16.
SCARVES FOR KIDS: The principal has asked us to help provide scarves for the students who walk to school. If you knit or crochet, this is a great way to use your talents to help a child. Scarves can be any color and should be the appropriate length for a child. Scarves can be dropped off in the church lobby.
SHOPPING AT GIANT FOOD STORES: If you shop at Giant Foods and are not already supporting your own children’s school(s), you can go online and register your Giant card on behalf of Guilford. Every time you shop at Giant, Guilford will earn points that will be converted into money that the school can use in any way they choose. Last year, most of the schools in Loudoun County earned between five and ten thousand dollars through this program. It doesn’t cost you anything to enroll, and it’s “free money.” Go to https://www.giantfood.com/our_stores/bonus_bucks/designate_school.htm?execution=e2s1 to register your card. The Guilford Elementary school ID is 02102.
BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION: Another great way to help this school financially without it costing you anything is to participate in the Box Tops for Education program that General Mills sponsors. Just clip the box top symbol off of the products that you are already buying, bring them to church and put them in the donation box labeled “Box Tops For Education” in the lobby. Last year, Guilford earned $675 through this program. We can help them earn significantly more. You don’t need to register to donate your box tops, but if you enjoy shopping online or would like to get coupons for General Mills products, you can earn additional rewards by registering at www.boxtops4education.com.
OTHER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: We still need volunteers to provide monthly snacks, be homework helpers, adopt a family, and provide teacher encouragement. You can sign up online at www.restonbible.org/guilford, and the volunteer coordinator will send you more information.