What happens when you give over 600 volunteers, 35 churches and 6 community agencies the opportunity to serve their community as one? Well, homes get repaired, landscaping is completed, blood is donated, food banks are stocked, clothing is distributed, the elderly are appreciated and the love of Jesus is shown to an entire community. It’s my second year being part of Tappahannock Operation INASMUCH and to see so many people come together, crossing denominational lines, with one goal, to serve as Jesus served, gives us a glimpse of what it will be like in heaven one day. To see people come together to meet the needs of people exemplifies the goodness in humanity.
Each year brings new hope. Seeing the commitment of Gleta and Steve as they dedicate countless hours to reaching the children in Tappahannock with the love of Jesus is such a source of encouragement. Watching the kids as they give their time making crafts to bring joy to the elderly and seeing a community join forces as one demonstrates the spirit of unity in Christ.
As part of that day I was given the privilege of spending some time teaching the kids the importance of serving others. I encourage you to raise up your kids to serve others as Christ served us. Let Jesus be the everlasting example of how we should commit our lives to meeting the needs of others. Allow them to feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, make new friends, give clothes to those in need, take care of the sick, and visit those imprisoned.
As it says in Matthew; “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, INASMUCH as you did it for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it for me.”


Over the past two months, I’ve been given the opportunity to bring about an awareness of the need for clean water as I present this message to entire congregations, young and old. It’s when we see contaminated water and consider what it would be like to have no choice but to drink unsafe water that we realize how important it is to help provide one of the few things we all need to survive, water!! Without it we die and for 25,000 every day, even with it, die because of waterborne illnesses.
As she enters the room strumming her guitar, Lucienne Love recites the greatest poem ever written about love. “Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, love does not boast. Love is not rude, love is not self seeking. Love is not easily angered, love keeps no records of wrong. Love does not delight in evil, love rejoices with the truth. Love always protects, love always trusts. Love always hopes, love always perseveres. Love never fails.” The greatest writer to ever touch on the topic of love is God himself, for God is love.
We can not always love those who cause our hurts, we must rely on Jesus to give us that supernatural power. The Holy Spirit can help us love even the most difficult people. When we love our enemies, we follow Jesus’ example and show others that we love Him.
The kids, eager to learn, were quick to volunteer as we acted out the story of Jacob and Esau, twin brothers, and then as we talked about the importance of looking beyond ourself to see the needs of others.

Gallon size Ziplock bags and items to go in the bags, such as:
Ever question when you should begin teaching children to evangelize and reach the world with the gospel? At what age should kids enter the mission field? How can we prepare kids to be missionaries in their own backyard?
It’s always such a privilege to serve alongside Mark and Holly Brantley and the Eurasia Experience. Teaching the kids this past week at
“Well, howdy folks. It’s so nice of you to come to help bring in the harvest. We have allot to do before the cold weather sets in. I suppose we should start with the corn, then we can move to the potatoes and last but not least the pumpkins. There’s a harvest that needs to be brought in as the impending cold weather approaches. It’s a good thing I have Fearless Fran to help,” says Harvestor Harriet.
For three evenings the kids learned that courage comes from knowing God and asking Him to help in difficult situations. They learned that true courage is being able to stand up for what they believe is right even when other people don’t agree and that courage gives them hope and a future through knowing and relying on Jesus.
The three evenings ended with a time of celebration as the kids enjoyed, food, inflatables, games and candy. What an evening of rejoicing it was but nothing compared to the rejoicing in heaven over the people that made decisions to follow Jesus.


