Opportunities to Give

Every summer, Sherry and Jim Vinson host their four grandchildren for a week of Camp Coco.  There are places to go and things to do.  Each camp has a theme, with this summer’s being the seven continents.  Each morning, Sherry guided the campers through a study of one of the continents.  Research was done, facts were shared, a map was studied, and art work from that part of the world was noted.  Then each grandchild painted a picture such as the Aboriginal Dot art for Australia.  The afternoons were for swimming, a movie, water inflatables park, climbing wall, I Jump, and other games and activities.  Even in the downpour on Sunday, they made it to church and Sunday School.  Not only did the cousins study the world last week, they also had the opportunity to make a difference in the world.  On Saturday, Sherry took her grands shopping and each child chose items so they could pack their own shoebox for Operation Christmas Child.  Along with gaining knowledge, Sherry also wants her grandchildren to learn the importance of giving and serving.

 

On Thursday, the children of Tallowood Baptist Church, in Houston, Texas, had the opportunity to come to the church and work on 5 projects. 

Each child participated by:

 

* Stuffing goodie bags and writing notes to give to students to introduce the BSM (Baptist Student Ministry) and its new leader to the students at University of Houston, Clear Lake

 

* Wrapping granola bars and writing notes for the people at the University of Houston BSM to give to students

 

* Decorating an ice chest, to leave on a front porch, so people can leave meals for a family with medical needs and also making knotted blankets for the family

 

* Packing school supplies, which will be put in backpacks, to give to “Houston Welcomes Refugees” and writing notes to the children who will be receiving the school supplies and backpacks

 

* Covering crackers in chocolate to share with the Tallowood staff, support staff, and custodians.

 

Lisa Keeling, Minister to Children, commented, “This is my favorite event of the year.  The children do for others and take nothing home with them.  It’s all about giving.”

 

May we, too, look for opportunities to give and invite others to join us.

 

 

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Hebrews 13:16

Intentionally Serving

 

Ja’Torrian Taylor and Tevin Rice, 11 -year-olds from Gadsden, Alabama, have formed TJ & JT Mowing.  Bright yellow t-shirts advertise their business.  The young men recently accepted Rodney Smith Jr’s “50 Yard Challenge” where they mowed the lawns of 50 elderly, disabled, or service individuals for free.  When Rodney Smith learned of their accomplishment, while using an old lawnmower donated by a neighbor, he decided to pay the boys a visit.  To help expand their business, he brought 2 caps, 2 black t-shirts, 2 brand new mowers, 2 new trimmers, and 2 new blowers to give to the boys. 

Rodney Smith began mowing lawns for free in 2016, when an elderly neighbor could no longer keep up with lawn maintenance.  Five years ago, Smith challenged people in all 50 states to help the elderly, single moms, veterans, disabled, or others who needed help with their yards by mowing them for free.  The participants let Rodney know every 10 yards they complete.  Each 10 yards earns a t-shirt which reads: 

 

Raising Men

or

Raising Women

LAWN CARE SERVICE

Giving Back To The Community

 

1o lawns:        orange shirt

20 lawns:       green shirt

30 lawns:       blue shirt

40 lawns:       red shirt

50 lawns:       black shirt

 

When all 50 lawns are completed, the girl or boy sends a picture to Rodney of them holding a sign saying she/he has completed the challenge.  As of May, 2023, 4,588 pre-teens and teenagers have accepted and accomplished the Rodney Smith Jr.’s Raising Men & Women Lawn Care Service “50 Yard Challenge,” by collectively mowing 229,400 yards for free.   After 50 yards, each participant is presented with a new mower, blower, and trimmer.  According to Upworthy, “Rodney, ‘The Lawnmower Man’ Smith Jr.’s remarkable story is an inspiring example of the transforming power of a single act of kindness, capable of triggering a widespread outpouring of generosity.”  The young people are learning the importance of giving back and making a difference in their communities.  In addition, they are learning that giving is just as rewarding as receiving.

 

Last week, Martha and Thomas Dufresne hosted “Cousins’ Camp 2023” for their five youngest grandchildren, ages 7 to 13.  The older three cousins had jobs for the summer.  The cousins and grandparents enjoyed fishing, swimming, and other activities during the week.  On Friday morning, the last day of camp, the grandparents, along with the mothers, took the grandchildren to serve at the Neighbors’ Cafe in San Angelo, Texas.  The children packaged cookies and snacks and put them in bags to give to those who would come to the cafe to eat.  At lunchtime, the cousins served desserts on the plates and then the adults and kids all helped in other ways to feed and take care of the hungry.  Martha posted, “It is a beautiful way to meet the practical needs of those in the community.”  How wonderful to be shown how and then given the opportunity to serve others.

 

May intentional acts of kindness and service also encourage and inspire us to come alongside to help make a difference in our communities and world.

 

 

“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Acts 20:35

With Help

 

Leigha Youngblood’s son, Dallas, is 2 ½ years old.  Wednesday is one of his favorite days of the week because it’s Trash Truck Day!  Each week he excitedly waits outside to wave and speak to the men on the trash truck.  Afterwards, he and his mom help return the trash cans for the neighbors on the street.  Since it was such a hot day this past Wednesday, Dallas had cold Gatorade and water to give to the men.  Whether it’s returning trash cans, baking cookies to share, pulling weeds, watering the flowers, or cleaning up sticks in the yard, Dallas’ parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents are intentional in teaching him how to serve others and then giving him opportunities to do so.

 

Oliver Davis is 6 years old and lives in Leawood, Kansas.  He does chores in order to earn money to purchase roses to take to nursing homes in town.  Wearing his police uniform, “Officer Oliver” makes calls to the care homes.  He has a little police motorcycle that he rides.  Oliver gets a flower out of his basket, gives it to a resident, along with a big hug, and then presents them with a ticket which reads:

 

VIOLATION

CITY OF PRAIRIE VILLAGE

STOP

You have received

a Ticket

for being

too CUTE!

Oliver

 

After gifting the roses, hugs, and tickets, Oliver visits with his new friends.  His presence delights and brightens the day for the residents and their caregivers.  So far, Oliver and his mother, Brandi Davis, have made visits to 9 facilities around town, with more to come.

 

Claire is 9 years old.  This summer she wanted to learn to sew.  She and her grandmother, Linda Oursler, went the store and bought coordinating fabric to make pillow cases for the women’s shelter in town.  So far, Claire has made 19 pillow cases for the women and children and one to surprise her dad.  After the pillow case is completed, a gift is tucked inside and tied up with a ribbon and note.

 

Dallas, Oliver, and Claire are being taught to be kind, thoughtful, and to serve others.  Then they are given opportunities to put into action what they are learning and wanting to do.  Kudos to their families for making and taking the time to make it happen.  May we take the time to invest in others, too.

 

 

Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6