See, we bond

 

Brown hair, blond hair, and red hair. Extremely introverted to extremely extroverted.  Neat freak to complete slob… we have it all on the Australian team.  How does this mesh fit together?  Well, I admit, it was rough at first.  We all avoided each other during training and at least two of us were crying after the week here.  But now, look at us… we are together making bagels and having the time of our lives.  Yes, we all have a different preferences in Bagels- Chocolate chip (Steph), Apple Cinnamon (Me), Blueberry (Becca), and everything bagels (Shae)- but we are all doing it together, and that’s what counts.  People said “How are you going to survive!?  And I’ve gotten several e-mail’s asking if we have killed each other yet… well, although we’ve gotten close a few times, we are actually doing quite well.  We have great fun doing stuff together.  So let me just say what the Australia team has been saying for the past 2 months in response to the comments made before when we weren’t bonding,

TAKE THAT DARRELL!

~Love, The Australia TEAM

What should I call this?

"Yeah, I'm doing alright." This is what I hear almost every time I ask him how he is doing. Yet, I see the sadness in his eyes, and hear the pain in his voice. He doesn't break eye contact and nods his head while twisting his mouth into a smile. All this to reassure me that he's doing alright... I'm not fooled. But, I say no more, and he walks out the door, not to be seen again until the next week when the Verandah opens again.

The Verandah is a community room where people who are homeless or who live in the Government housing in the surrounding area can come and hang out and/or receive emergency food parcels. Most of the people who come to the Verandah have a mental illness and/or a problem with drug addiction or alcoholism. The Verandah receives donated food each month which is stored in a pantry. People who come can get one food parcel each consisting of 6 food items. Several reasons why people may need food parcels are because they've spent all their money on drugs, they may have to pay rent so they can't afford food for the week, maybe they pay child support and can't make ends meet so they don't eat... the list goes on. But we do more than hand out food parcels and provide a place for people to come hang out... we are a listening ear and a voice of reasoning in some circumstances.

When walking home after closing up the Verandah for the day, I pass the grocery store that we go to each week and I see one of the men who come to the Verandah sitting on a bench in front of the store. I hesitated for a second or two and decided against going up to say hi. I need him to trust me a little more before making that kind of contact. But in that moment, my heart melted. I am so excited to be apart of what the Verandah is doing. It is a privilege to be involved in this way.

My Thoughts in Song

I was sure by now, God You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away, Stepped in and saved the day.
But once again I say "Amen" and it's still raining.
As the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you."
And as Your mercy falls I raise my hands
and praise the God who gives and takes away.

And I'll praise You in this storm and I will lift my hands.
For you are who you are no matter where I am.
And every tear I've cried You hold in Your hand.
You never left my side and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm.

I remember when I stumbled in the wind.
You heard my cry, You raised me up again.
My strength is almost gone.
How can I carry on if I can't find you?
As the thunder rolls I barely hear you whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as your mercy falls I raise my hands
And praise the God who gives and takes away.

I lift my eyes unto the hill.
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

-"I'll Praise You in This Storm" by Casting Crowns-

~Through the trials and termoils of our lives remember God's whisper: "I'm with you."~