Over the last 8 weeks, the Holy Spirit has lit a fire in the Emerge Ministries group leading us to spend our spare time building relationships with those living in the neighborhoods closest to the physical location of Centenary's campus in Danville.
On November 3rd, we were blessed with hundreds of coats, blankets, gloves, and scarves from Centenary's church family. We gave them out to under-resourced families in the Cowan Street area of Danville at a "Fall into Winter" give-away. We ate, we drank, we laughed, we shopped, and we prayed. Kids and adults alike had the opportunity to experience the true joy of giving as well as the undeniable miracle of God's free grace and unconditional love.
Later that week, an idea just dropped into my mind on the way to a church meeting. Funny how the Holy Spirit can use the monotonous 30-minute commute to a church meeting for divine guidance and conversation. After some collaboration, the Emerge Ministries group decided to host a neighborhood Christmas party at the Cowan Street Park including a visit from Santa with photos, a family craft corner, and a Santa's workshop: a place where kids and parents could shop for one another free of charge-gift wrapping included - all to take place at the neighborhood park. Word spread and support rained down on us - over $1200 was given toward the cause - tons of donated items for the Santa's Workshop, and enough chili, cookies, and beverages to go around poured in.
We woke up this morning - the big day of our neighborhood party - and there was no hope of sunshine or temperatures to reach above freezing with constant winds blowing at about 15 mph. Again, it was time to make a choice - either change our plans or give up. After prayerful conversation, we decided to throw Santa and his elves in the back of a pick up truck - we rang bells, we honked horns, and brought folks to and from the party - now being held inside at the church on the other side of the highway - which can be a long journey for some. Before we knew it, we were packed with families shopping, wrapping, crafting, eating and fellow-shipping with one another. By the time it was all over - we had served about 65 people and we had given away over 250 items wrapped and ready to go under Christmas trees. Over 45 personalized ornaments were made and we took 40 pictures of children with Santa. And of course, each of us who served were overwhelmed with a sense of fullness that only acts of Christian generosity can give. Regardless of how many people came today - or what happens to the gifts that were wrapped today or the gifts we may unwrap between now and 2014 - there is one priceless gift of immeasurable worth: us being used by God as instruments of his comfort, peace, joy, kindness, patience, gentleness, love, and grace. What an honor! What a privilege!
From the moment we began ministry with our neighbors, we have been faced with obstacles - but not one challenge has been left unmet by God. Nothing has turned out how we planned or expected. Actually, that sounds a lot like the Christmas story. You think Mary and Joseph dreamed of giving birth in a cave among farm animals? I wonder if it was always the plan to take a two day journey in order to induce Mary's labor. And don't we all want dirty workman and astrologers we don't know visiting us to meet and welcome our new baby into the world?
I am so glad that God changes our plans. I am so glad He has always been in the business of changing plans...from the beginning of creation - to the manger scene - to just a few weeks ago when I almost said to everyone - "Enjoy your holiday season with your friends and family and your yummy meals and your holiday parties and your wonderful presents...because isn't this what Christmas is really about anyway? Isn't the greatest gift being a gift to others. For me - my Christmas is complete. Today, I received the best gift I could ever get - a renewal of Christ's spirit in me, a glimpse of Christ alive in others, and living proof that Jesus continues to show up in new places and in new ways when we least expect it.
Here's a few thoughts from those who experienced Christmas in a new way this year...
"I loved being in the craft room because it was really the first time our guests were able to sit down, quiet their minds, and reflect a bit on the activity around them. I heard lots of families listing off who they got gifts for, chatting with neighbors about how much their children enjoyed seeing Santa, and too many "Thank You's to count. I was blessed so much by the sweet families who came through. Everyone was excited to be there...I can't remember even one upset child or parent...joy was everywhere." - Lauren Schrepfer
"Mark absolutely loved being Santa! He has already asked me if he can do it next year! Not only did the event put smiles on faces in the community but I noticed the happiness it gave all of us who helped put it on"
-Carson Kreider
"When I got to the church after bringing a family over from the park, and I walked down the hallway and couldn't see the glass doors on the other side of the hallway because there were so many families at the church for the event - I was amazed."
-Jason Harris
"It was great overall just seeing the lil' kids' faces when they had their crafts and gifts in their hands!!! :))" -Joey Carpenter
"My memorable moment was how truly appreciative people were and how they looked at us like we were walking blessings." -Katy Neyhouse
