Big Fix Stories

A few years ago we started in a big way to try and get everyone in our church to experience the joy of serving others in our community.   There are always needs in any community.  But bigger than the needs of our community was our need to help.  We can not grow to full devotion to Christ without growing in our desire to serve those in need.  When we serve our hearts begin to change. 

I enjoyed very much reading the report I got from Steve Clark, who leads our Outreach and Connection team, on this past weekend's "Big Fix."  Back in the fall we began a major project to help a single mom save her house from being condemned.  Steve's and his team did a great job of giving us a chance to help but also to grow in our devotion to Christ.   Here are some of the stories from this weekend.

• What a wonderful thing when generosity gets unleashed on a neighborhood.!  The next door neighbor, who finally agreed to having her yard cleaned.  “Let me get this straight,” she said, “you’re wanting to do this for free?”  She had to ask it several ways and get several responses before she could really believe it and agree to it. 
• The block party!  Neighbors came from all over and were greeted with smiles, conversation, and incredible hospitality.  Music of all varieties blared.  Folks got their food.  Some sat down.  Some walked to their homes but hardly any went indoors.  They wanted to eat on their porches and be a part of it.  The music.  The laughing.  The good time.  Word spread and even more came.  Some came back for more.  This was the scene not only on Berry Avenue, but also on neighboring streets as well.
• The unconnected.  Those who haven’t really gotten into the church thing but who really got into the church-in-action, and working alongside of some really great folks.  The fellow who had been receiving Madras’ “Church for the rest of us” mailers and who called the church office, made connections with a few folks, and was given a ride to help us out. He was in church for the first time Sunday! 
• And how cool it was for one person to be checked out by a Lowe’s employee who already knew all about the Sharpsburg and Madras campuses and service times because of CCCers coming in and buying Big Fix supplies!
• One man had just come to the church for the first time on Easter.  During the day, he told about why he was there . . . about how it was his turn to give back because several of his coworkers, all who attend our church, had hung closely with he, his wife, and five children while they had gone through a rough time financially and were living at the Stay Lodge.  He talked about how they helped him monetarily and how they often brought food to his family.  His five kids absolutely loved Community Kids and he and his wife didn’t quite know what to do with themselves, getting to do something without their five young children underfoot

In addition to those stories there are many others, I just don't want to make this blog too long.  A huge thanks goes out to the team who did hard work for weeks in advance to get things ready for this past weekend's volunteers.  Great job!!  I could not be more proud to be a part of your church.