Thanksgiving at Their House God Stories

::: Missy and Ernie's Story
Our Bible study group of twelve decided to feed the homeless for Thanksgiving. Everyone was assigned a plate to be in charge of and where to meet. The Tuesday night before Thanksgiving, we set up a table at a parking lot where there are a number of homeless people, and made the plates with everything on it: turkey, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, a slice of pie, a salad, and a drink. My brother-in-law, Joe, even brought a big box of his clean clothes for the ones who came. We also gave out a little gift bag with a little wooden cross, a pocket Bible, and inspirational messages. We had extra plates that we had made all up and one man told us where to go for more homeless people. So, the men jumped in our truck with everything and drove to feed as many people as we could! My husband told me they went to a gas station up the street and he pulled in and asked who was hungry. One yelled, “YOU HAVE FOOD!!” and they gave the rest out at that location.

The smiles and the thank you's we received that night – it was as if God Himself was smiling down on us!! We told them all we would come back and have a Christmas dinner with them! But this time we will give them each a gift card for a new pair of shoes. We will call it Project Christmas shoes!!

::: His Hands Story
We had about ten volunteers go out on November 17 to help bring Thanksgiving to a family in great need. This family consists of two adults in wheelchairs (both with cerebral palsy) and an 11-year-old son that helps care for them. The home itself had many things that needed attention – carpeting, bathroom plumbing, kitchen cabinets. Nothing in the house was “wheelchair friendly” and difficult for these two adults to maneuver in, let alone repair things.

The God story was that when some of the volunteers saw the circumstances in this home, they were moved to do more than just bring dinner. The whole team stayed for the greater part of the day and worked together serving this family by cleaning, doing home repairs, yard work, removing trash and otherwise bringing hope to a very needy family.

The volunteers used some of their own gifts and talents to go back later on in the week and additionally serve the family in different ways. Hair cuts were given, meals were brought, groceries were purchased, and friendships were concretely established.

When people get out of the Church and see how some people, and even people here in the body, are living, it makes an impact.

The Lord gave me this section of scripture: Luke 10: 25-37 " GO AND DO LIKEWISE."

::: Nicole's Story
My God Story is about the Thanksgiving Food Share, Prior to this, I had never gone out on a Love Out Loud Food Share event, and the blessing for me started on Friday night while packing food with some friends and then I knew that God had something to teach me.

Serving others, serves us. As our team visited with each of the families, they were each different; but the same. I met three mothers; whose only desire is to raise healthy children. Although the reason for our visits was to show the tangible love of Christ we were able to minister to these families; with the last family we visited- our team knew that we had a "Divine Appointment", because after getting lost several times we were able to share with this mom and her family, the love, and encouragement that a relationship with Christ offers. As a single mom, I know the struggles that she faces and I am a living witness of what God does when we trust Him.

I was reminded how great our God is, and how HE always shows up. Our latest vision here at CCFL is "Challenged to Change", what an amazing thought that God is challenging all of us to change the "way" we do what we do, and helps us to grow and be transformed in His likeness.

Be a blessing to someone this holiday season, and you will be blessed more than you could ever imagine!

::: Adriene’s Story
Tough times can weigh heavy on the hearts of families with great needs. But we serve a faithful God! Adriene had a dream and God told her that He was sending some people over to help her... God answered that prayer when a team of Daily FoodShare volunteers showed up at her door with a turkey and several bags filled with food for a Thanksgiving meal that she and her family my never forget!

::: Sharon’s Story
It's never too late to experience God's deliverance! Sharon is an elderly woman who had been chewing tobacco for many years. Though she believed in God... Sharon needed help. One week before Thanksgiving would be her day to experience God's touch. When a group of Daily FoodShare volunteers showed up with a turkey and bags of food, God had far more in mind than just a "food delivery"... He wanted to perform a "spiritual delivery"! Sharon was prayed for and more than ready to walk away from her addiction. The volunteers not only left her home with joy over God's faithfulness... they walked away with her last bag of tobacco!

::: Tom’s Story
We were all strangers to one another one hour before entering the Manor Pines convalescent center. I had seven volunteers that we broke up into two groups. We were all of the same mind, wanting nothing more than to bring Gods HOPE and LOVE this Thanksgiving morning. Going room to room visiting these folks was as much a blessing to us as to them, but one particular room held for us a truly special moment.

Upon entering the room we discovered an elderly woman lying on her back with her eyes open but totally unresponsive. I spoke to her for a moment, but she just continued to stare upward, not even blinking her eyes. I felt led to kneel next to the bed and take her hand to pray. While I was assuring her of God’s love and presence, at that moment she closed her eyes, and we got to see the widest smile come across her face! We just knew that she was truly in the presence of our oh-so-faithful God! Between my 12-year-old grandson and the volunteers, there wasn't a dry eye leaving the room that day. We were truly blessed and encouraged, once again giving thanks for all He does.

::: Thanksgiving Story
I am a “FoodShare veteran” and have been enjoying this awesome outreach since it was started. What a privilege God gives us to allow us inside of people’s homes and hearts that we don't even know! I have seen many many people come to the Lord on these outreaches as well as being blessed by the fellowship and food.

One of our houses was a man and his teenage son. We really loved them. The man is very sick- on dialysis 3 days a week. He said they were alone in this country- no family in the states. He believed in God and his faith was helping him through his difficult health situation. His son was very humble, sweet, with perhaps a speech/learning disability. He said he really wanted to know God but he did not know how. There was an open Bible on the table, but they did not attend church. The father stayed busy in the kitchen as I shared the gospel. The son happily said he wanted to follow Jesus and at that moment his father ran over and together they prayed to receive Christ.

Bringing food and love is great but bringing people Jesus will last them throughout eternity-giving them strength, purpose, and hope in all circumstances. As Paul said 1Corin 9:16, “For if I preach the Gospel I have nothing to boast of for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel!”

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