building a community to reach a community

I have been out of the loop recently due to a trip to Israel with some folks from GFC, Tri-cities, Florida and Ohio. It was a fantastic trip that left all of us with a deeper understanding of the Bible (never to be read the same again!). Indeed, impressions of modern life in Israel - both for Israelis and Palestinians, are also very vivid.

GFC is part of a weekday joint ministry that prepares and serves meals for the homeless, the elderly, and/or home-bound persons who have no resources to prepare a meal for themselves. Twenty-five area churches have signed up to serve, and GFC serves on the fourth Monday of every month. My name is Sue Doyle, and I am a member of the Shepherd’s Lunch committee that coordinates this effort.

There is a lot of anxiety that comes with being a new father. How much sleep will I loose? Do I really have to help change diapers? What if the she cries every time I hold her? After a few months, as much of the craziness dies down and the new rhythms of life start to lend some sanity, a new view comes to mind. My wife and I have been charged by God with caring for, providing for, praying for....

We really weren’t sure what we were signing up for! Sure, we knew we’d be coaching a kickball team composed of elementary students from Mountain View Elementary School. We knew it was only a 1 month commitment in the month of April, and we knew this was a chance for us to have a real opportunity to join GFC in touching lives in the Mountain View Community.