SHINE!
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Collecting Trash
Jesus teaches us – “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Mt 5: 16). All LCMS Missouri District churches, schools and service organizations were urged to pick a day between March 16 -25, and go out and, “serve your neighborhood”. CFNA chose Saturday, April 24th.
As it turned out, it was a rainy day. However, the spirits of the 30 American and New American volunteer participants were not diminished. As the rain subsided, the volunteers got ready! “Pastor, give me the trash bag…I want to go pick up trash and clean the place,” was Congolese participant– Jacqueline’s request.
For the next three hours volunteers moved up and down S. Grand Blvd. including the alleys around the Peace Center picking up trash, mowing lawns, and cutting weeds. Volunteers from Extreme Faith, a CFNA partner ministry, joined in the event as well. Extreme Faith leader Kevin Mennel was pleased to be part of it. “Thank you for inviting us to the event…this is why we exist…we love to serve others.”
Sharing
Other activities included vision screening for New Americans as well as a sewing class led by Mrs. Carol Buckman. Additionally, CFNA scholarship students, Aminata and Hawa Sesay, witnessed to their faith through conversations with some of the visitors, while sharing Gospel centered materials from Lutheran Hour Ministries, as well as Christian education materials from Word of Life Lutheran School. The event concluded with the distribution of box lunches from Aya Sofia restaurant to refugee families in the neighborhood by yet another team of volunteers led by recent Congolese arrival and CFNA Intern, Charles Nshimiyimana.
Event affirmation was provided by beneficiaries including one African American gentleman who shared, “Thank you for doing this for us. It is nice to see friends keep our neighborhood clean. I was fed up picking up trash...but you gave me encouragement.”
Results
We thank the LCMS MO District for their event planning and leadership efforts, all the volunteers who participated, and the Aya Sofia restaurant for their excellent box lunches. All glory to our Father in heaven alone!
Pastor Stanish Stanley
Executive Director, CFNA, St. Louis
