The sheer number of volunteers on my Salkehatchie trip was amazing. We had an awesome group of church ladies who got up well before 5:00 AM every morning, and made us breakfast. I’m not talking about cereal either. We had eggs, bacon, and sausage biscuits. They always greeted us with a smile and kind words too. They were the very picture of cheerful givers.
There were volunteers who brought us popsicles everyday too, which was a welcomed break from the sweltering Carolina heat. There were some sweet ladies who brought us cobbler and ice cream one night. There was a couple who donated and drove their tour bus so we could all ride together to tour the work sites. Someone even put Bible verses and a treat, on our pillows everyday when we were out working. When I inquired who did it, I was told it was the Salkehatchie Fairy.
Daily treats were left by an anonymous volunteer called the Salkehatchie Fairy.
No matter how small someone’s contribution may have appeared on the surface, it made a huge difference to those of us on the front lines, like the cases of water that kept showing up at the church, or the two coolers full of drinks that were dropped off at our work site, by Good Samaritans.
Then there were the seasoned site leaders who taught newbies like me which end of a nail gun was up. My site had three men, a retired police officer, fireman, and Naval fighter pilot and a young school teacher, who had been participating in Salkehatchie since she was 14. She even had her own purple hammer.
I found it interesting and inspiring that all of the adult volunteers had spent a life in public service and even in retirement, continued to serve. Our teacher could have spent her summer taking a much needed break, but she too, chose to serve in the crazy heat. I was intrigued by a ministry that could earn so much loyalty from such a diverse group.
Of course, they were all deeply tied to one another through the love of Christ, who can use every single one of us for his purpose, if we are willing.
I have always felt like the best way to earn the respect of teens is to interact with them. It’s easy to tell them what they should do. It’s an entirely different matter altogether to walk the walk with them. These volunteers did just that.
Not only did they work patiently side-by-side with them all day, encouraging them along the way, but they made the effort to get to know them too. On the first day, our site leader called a break for everyone to have water and a snack and share something about themselves. Relationship was the biggest focus of the mission. He let the teens know they mattered.
When the kids on our site decided they wanted to do a talent show later in the week, the fireman and policeman learned how to Whip and Nae Nae. The teacher already knew how. The adults weren’t concerned about looking silly because they were building relationships with the teens. It was pretty hysterical.
Perhaps we could all learn a little something from all of those volunteers, truth like every single contribution to God’s work matters. Those popsicles were a blessing in that heat. There’s no bronze or gold medals. God can use all of it.
We could also be reminded that we are never too old to serve. But, perhaps the most important lesson from all of those volunteers is if we want to win more souls for Jesus, then we need to interact. We need to do, not tell. The doing can make all of the difference.
Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂