Service

by Jeanie Ogden

Ephesians 6:7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men. 

Fifteen years ago my husband Earl and I heard about an organization needing volunteers to do repairs, clean-up and painting homes damaged by Hurricane Andrew. We asked friends from church to join us and we worked two weeks in January for the next three years. The following year we learned that an organization needed volunteers to get Bibles ready to send to Russia. Again, some friends from church joined us and we helped collate, bind and ship Bibles for two weeks in January for seven years. We also painted and remodeled their buildings. We were getting to be “professionals!”
In 2000, we joined 18 others from Missionary Churches and flew to Russia. St. Petersburg Christian University had purchased an OLD building and needed volunteers to get it ready for the student’s classrooms, a cafeteria and dormitories. The building needed a kitchen, new floors, new walls, and a water heater. Since none of the Russian staff spoke English, we had interpreters and our own missionaries to help. Returning home our Mission Organization informed us about the needs of our Hispanic churches on the Texas border. For 4 years we spent two weeks every January doing minor repairs and painting. Part of our blessing each day was an authentic Mexican meal! We continue each year to find a place to be of service outside the church as well as in the church. A dictionary definition of service is “helpful acts.” Where will you serve?

Prayer: Lord, help me to be effective in service as unto You, as well as teach by example. Bless those we serve.