Tim posted on August 19, 2009 23:24
Kids swarm the cafe. They line the coffee bar sweating all over the counter and panting for something cold to drink. Library bags relax comfortably on the cafe's cozy red chairs. A teenage boy and girl sit face to face at a chess table in a furious battle of wit. And a group of middle school youth pile on the wooden bench near our over-sized table. The cafe is packed. It's packed with kids. Some new kids. And some regulars. And it is fun!
I blame the free kool-aid, ice cream, popsicles, and air conditioning. The cafe volunteers fault the friendly and welcoming hospitality we offer. Maybe it's a bit of both.
"What'dve Y'all been up to?" I ask. (Y'all spits from my lips now and again. It comes naturally from being born in San Antonio.)
"We're headed out to play basketball?" replies one young man.
The kids carry on. Tease one another. And argue over whether they have enough people to play. They chug kool-aid and sweet tea and beg for more Ramen noodle soup.
Then, as fast as they came, they're gone. But they'll be back.
So I sit down to read, leaving the work to my community service helpers. A woman I've never met walks through the door carrying a Bundt Cake. It was a delicious surprise!
"Is that for us?" I say excitedly.
"Yes!" she replies setting it gently on the bar.
After a quick exchange of thank you's and you're welcomes, she leaves. I sit up, place my book on the shelf, and walk over to smell her donation. I lift the cake to inspect it and hiding beneath it is a $20 bill.
I think to myself as I drop the donation in the box: WOW, What a sweet surprise! Thank you Father for this woman and her provision.
Please know that all the volunteers are doing what they can to serve and reach the young people of Medina. We may not always see them experience the life-changing power of knowing Jesus. But we are serving. We are sharing. We are praying. We're giving away bibles, and feeding the hungry, and quenching the thirst of those thirsty, and doing all of this in His name and for His glory.
Thank you for giving. You are just as much a part of our work as those on the front lines. And you get to share in the reward awaiting those who remain faithful until the end.
Someone once wrote, "Whatever you do (WHATEVER), work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving" (NIV, Colossians 3:23-24).