Work Day Report: Partners in Hope
This past Saturday was another day in paradise, with the absolute blessing of serving alongside one of our strong ministry affiliations, Partners in Hope. Thank you, Matt, Diahn & Denise for providing this extraordinary monthly opportunity to join your team and serve our neighbors with love and joy.
Partners in Hope has been actively engaged in their ministry for ten years at this point, and we are blessed to be a part of it, in partnership with the work that God has allowed Matt and his team. This weekend, we did not just serve one family, but FOUR families on the same street. This was an unprecedented project.
It never ceases to amaze me to meet so many volunteers coming from so many different walks of life, age categories, and churches. Regardless, each time that we gather, these incredible individuals gather as one, and team up as if best friends.
Cornerstone Restoration was strongly represented with great family participation. Three husband & wife teams; the Crooks, the Garcias, and the Dumbachers. We also had a father and daughter team, Benjamin and Melissa, as well as a three-generation team in the Praters. This was Andrew, his son Max, and his dad, Steve. Don Dumbacher and his wife Shelli spearheaded the Care Team, boldly prayed over each and every home on the street, and especially with each family that we were blessed to serve. It is so difficult for me to express in words how this just melts my heart.
You name it, we did it. All of the work was performed outdoors: rebuilding roofs, cutting down widow-maker trees, raking leaves, filling dumpsters, mowing and weed-whacking lawns, laughing, praying, and telling silly stories. Just like the one about my golden retriever, Effie Mae, who had just been skunked and yes, came in the house to rub her face everywhere…..consider it all JOY!
What a spectacular way to spend the day the Lord has made specifically for us all, alongside our neighbors. Peace, joy, and love was clearly spread all over Quanah Parker Trail!
Read more about Partners in Hope by clicking here.
Friendly advice —
If you are interested in a phenomenal Christian book on how God is rewriting a community to fight social isolation and grow his kingdom, please read Unexpected Connections by Matt Peacock, founder of Partners in Hope. He has knocked it out of the park with this masterpiece. This book will more than just touch your heart, it will inspire you to not just be hearers of the word but doers of the word! Love God, love his children, love our neighbors!
Thank you all for serving. May God continue to bless you all!
In HIS Service,
Paul V. Rudzitis, Executive Director