 Although it was difficult to communicate, texting again came to the rescue in planning the effort to serve at a Red Cross Shelter, which was setup at Christ Bridge Fellowship Church in Tomball. Ten HS students gave their Saturday to work hard at the makeshift shelter. The service menu included a variety of tasks, most importantly, playing with the many energetic and adorable children that just wanted to feel loved and noticed. The parents staying at the shelter appreciated the break as many of them were anxiously wandering what step to take next as their homes were either destroyed or severely damaged by that blasted Ike.
 Specifically I prayed with three families, one Grandmother, who was the matriarch of her family, which included many little ones, a family from Galveston, whom had yet to return to assess what in all likelihood would be significant damage, and finally, a man named “Jersey”, who cried and gave me a hard hug telling me that his faith in humanity was being restored by the prayer and the many serving him. Cool stuff.
I was so proud of our students, especially when they went the extra mile by staying to unload an entire semi, which was full of water, diapers, toilet paper, toys, clothes, and other donated items from the city of Detroit. Unloading that truck was a beast! I felt it the next day. Needless to say, we had plenty of water to quench our hard-earned thirst.
By the end of the many hours of serving, I again was powerfully reminded why I feel called to do what I do, which is serve young people. This was one of those moments in life when you know undoubtedly that you are at the center of God’s will for your life. Serving restores and fulfills God’s ultimate purpose for His children. I believe we all felt like we were where Jesus would be if He still walked with us.
Let’s continue to STAND AND BE COUNTED!
Rich Reaves
Campus Minister |
