#10 We Happy Few
Yesterday, only three of us went to PV, our favorite community. Greg’s wife, Joanna, had another commitment, and we had no other volunteers. So, it was just Greg, Shawn, and me. But small numbers never stop God from doing big things! We still had great conversations with our PV friends.
Our sweet friend Ms. D. came up as we were unloading the car and asked how she could help. She appreciates what we do and is eager to give back. Then, I showed her the children’s book we brought for her grandchildren, and she was so thrilled. Ms. C. stopped by in her wheelchair, as well. She usually helps us set up, but we were done by the time she arrived. So, she just looked through the stuff we brought and visited with us. Ms. H, donned in costume jewelry, saw us pulling in and hung out with us the whole time. And, of course, T. and his visually impaired roommate came to say hi. It is always a pleasure to visit with them. It was also a joy to give some clothes and a pair of shoes (thank you my ECPC sister for the shoes!) to a lady who came by last week as we were packing up. We had nothing left in her size last week, and she was very appreciative for the items we brought yesterday. Everyone who takes something expresses their thanks.
Ms. B, an amazing Christ-loving woman, and Shawn talked about starting a Bible study there for any of the residents interested. Mr. G. also came by and even joined us as we prayed together before heading out. He’s declined in the past, so it was encouraging for him to participate. It’s all God’s work, and we are so thankful He has chosen to use us to share His love with this community. We want them to know we have no agenda but to be their friends and love them.
What so many are hungry for most is fellowship, and we hope God will continue to help us provide that, even on the Saturdays we do not have any donations to take. The donations help, though, because they bring people out to check out what we have, and it gives a place for them to stand and visit with us and with one another. And so many like to help us!
Also, thanks to a donation to the Atlanta Dream Center Church, we had backpacks filled with school supplies to hand out. Not only did we give some at PV, on our way to take Greg home, we stopped by Summerhill Community Ministries and gave some to them, too. Our home church, East Cobb Presbyterian, is a big supporter of Summerhill Community Ministries, and it was fun to meet Justin, named after his mother, Justina, who with her husband started and run this great organization. We love their work of empowering inner-city youth in reaching their full potential as the dynamic people God created them in His image to be. We were so glad we could add to the backpacks our church has already given them.
No specific requests were given yesterday, but we always welcome clothes, shoes, wash cloths and towels, coloring books and colored pencils (won’t melt like crayons), hygiene items, toys, books, and small appliances, all in great condition, of course. I visited a couple of thrift stores after church today to replenish my supplies. Goodwill’s color of the week changes on Sundays, and if I go later in the week, the items with that color’s tags are usually gone. I was thrilled to get a bunch of nice clothes today at the 50% discount. Park Avenue Thrift in Woodstock (Canton Rd. and the 92) also has good coupons. If I buy something during the week, I get a 25 or 50% off coupon good that Sunday. I just learned about Uptown Cheapskate on Johnson Ferry that has good sales from time to time, as well. So, if you want to shop for Robin Good and get reimbursed for it, here are some places you can go. While I am still only handing out warm-weather clothing for most, if not all, of August, I am ready to take cold-weather donations now, too.
Thank you for reading my blogs and for all your support and encouragement! We would love for you to join us on a Saturday and meet some of our friends for yourself!