If you've read my blog for any time at all, then you know that our church is all about getting out into the community and "being, doing, and giving" through random acts of kindness. Sometimes these are simple little projects and other times they are larger scale. Today was one we've been preparing for a while. It was a hot dog cookout and giveaway on the beach. 
We bought 300 hot dogs, chips, and drinks to give away this afternoon. We assembled a team of seventeen people and planned to meet at the beach around 3:00pm today.
DH told me the weather was going to "go bad" as there were storms moving in. I told him I didn't want to hear it. On my way into the parking lot, I prayed for a "weather miracle". Literally as I unloaded my car, the sky was getting dark and black. Still we unloaded.
It wasn't long after DH started cooking the hotdogs that the storm rolled in with wind, driving rain, lightning and thunder. And there we were huddled under this little "gazebo"/tent like a bunch of sardines. And I'm telling you, all I could do was LAUGH! Here's the funny thing though. Many people huddled under there with us.
It almost felt like the United Nations as we really had several different languages represented inside that tent! Though we were getting wet, people were happy to have a hot dog and water while they waited out the storm.As with most Florida rains, the storm passed quickly. It wasn't long until the rain stopped and people SLOWLY started trickling back out to the beach. And the hot dogs were going like HOTCAKES!
We even had a team hit the beach and take food/water out there where people were sitting. And, as usually happens with our servant evangelism outreaches, people ask the BIG QUESTION: "WHY?" They want to know WHY on earth people would be giving them something for FREE. I mean NOTHING is free in this world! And that's when we are able to answer, "It's our way of saying 'God loves you'." His love is always free for everyone. Most of the time people are simply left speechless by that. There are no strings. There's no pressure. There's no more conversation than that--unless it's initiated by the recipient. It's a perfect way to make an impression that will last. Besides that, it's plain old FUN!
4 comments:
What a nice way for God to draw you all together like that! \o/
LOL! Pray for sunshine - get rain... Gotta love it. I think God has a wicked sense of humor! He does it HIS way... always.
xo
LBC
This is a great way to witness God's love to others. Our church did a "Big Backyard Bar B Q" last weekend. We made 2,000 pieces of Chicken Bar B Q (legs and Thighs) and handed them out with water, chips and cookies made by our Jr youth. We also had the Youth group doing a free car wash....most people were very respectful and took what was offered to them and were very thankful....we did allow people to take them "to go" but may have to put a limit on the "to go" number until next year....as always...there are some that take advantage of the situation....but hey....that's our mission field and it is free....so if they want 25....I guess they can have 25 :)
I love reading about the outreaches your church does because it gives me inspiration!
Marilyn
I haven't gotten my church on board with this stuff yet... but I've had my own little personal campaign going this summer. I have a little styrofoam cooler I keep in the car. When I pass road crews working on the road, I swing into the next convenience store and buy a box or two of popsicles. I've only had ONE worker refuse one -- that was cuz he wanted Budweiser flavor! LOL! But usually I just get a thank you! They don't often ask "why"... but when they do I just say I'm spreading the love of Jesus! Just like that -- nothin' else!
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