Helping Hands

Free hot dogs, hair cuts, games, and a bouncy house were provided by Word in Action Ministries in Galena, Kansas while students

received free backpacks filled with school supplies. A personal note was also given letting each child know they were special and loved. A youth group from Lacrosse, KS travelled six hours to help pass out 234 backpacks at this special event coordinated by no other than our Helen.

Helping hands donated money, bought supplies, sorted and packed, cooked, carried, cut, wrote, and prayed. This was Word in Actions 5th year helping the community of Galena since another organization helps Baxter.

I thank God for the ability and freedom to show children of all ages God’s love in such a tangible way. Smiles rewarded each volunteer there. Everyone who helped walked away with satisfaction for providing a helping hand.

So, why do so many people miss opportunities to lend a helping hand? Maybe their eyes are blind to such opportunities. For many church-goers, it’s easier to pass the offering

plate and let someone else do the work. They don’t see what I see. That is, the joy and satisfaction received from helping others. This is taking me down memory lane. Is it okay if I share the event that catapulted us into founding our ministry?

Here is an excerpt from a story I wrote about that day:

• The maple leaves were revealing their hidden beauty as my husband, Steve, pointed our Hyundai towards the driveway of the gas station. Jumping out to pump gas, his eyes caught a middle-aged gentleman filling milk jugs with water at an outside tap. He wondered as he watched him fill up not one, but two, three, then four, and finally the man stopped at five gallons of water. Steve’s curiosity got the best of him. He yelled, “Can I help you?” in hopes he could learn more about this man and possibly give him help. The man briefly shook his head side to side and began picking up his jugs. Meanwhile, Steve went inside to pay. Walking out, Steve noticed the man heading down Military Avenue on foot. Quickly he hopped into our car and caught up with the man once more.
  Rolling down the passenger window, he asked “Would you like a ride?” Reluctantly and with a flushed face, the man opened the door. The smell filled the car before the man’s seat belt was even fastened. After a long moment of silence, his lips moved, “This is how we get water. Can’t find work. Utilities are shut off. This will flush our stool.”
  These words revealed a need propelling Steve and I into founding Word in Action Ministries, providing free nightly meals.

Can you provide a helping hand, whether it is through volunteering at your church or in your community, or whether you are observant like Steve. This trip down memory lane has prompted me to start a book full of ideas for you to give a helping hand to others by yourself or as a group. Got any ideas? Do share!

© 2015, Jena Fellers. All rights reserved.