Elom reflects on Scott's reflections: Heroes- Part 6

I wrote the following entry a few months ago, after my first time at my church's food pantry:

My first day at the food pantry: a very humbling experience

I decided last Thursday morning to wake up early, make coffee, shower, get dressed and go to the food pantry to help. I was not sure of what to expect or what to do once I got there. I only kinda knew one person there, SB, who directed me to the food bagging area to help out.

There was a group of people from a missionary school, and we started talking about where I was from, and what brought me there. It was refreshing to talk to people who actually KNEW where Senegal was on the map We shared stories of hope, faith and so much more. DR and SS arrived shortly after we finished bagging the groceries.

Around 10am, it was time to open the doors to distribute breakfast to the local community. Most people were already in place, and ready to help and here I was, in the middle of all this, not sure of what to do. I started simply greeting everyone coming in, just a simple "Hello, How are you today?". It did not feel like much, but it was a good start. I asked T what else I could do, and he said that we could simply talk to a few people, which is what we did. I spoke with D, who was a little apprehensive about being "bothered", but she started lightening up once we talked about her son, and other things she had on her mind. It was REALLY humbling.

Once the front started clearing, I went to the kitchen to clean and dry dishes while SS was (and I quote him) "entertaining us". If you ask me, he was just letting us do all the work-lol. I spent the rest of the morning talking to more people, sharing experiences, and learning about myself simply by listening. One woman had a really sad story, and was struggling to pay her rent, but she was so beautiful and grateful to have breakfast with us. I almost cried... once again very humbling.

I just wanted to share that special day, and I really hope I will get the chance to do it again. We get so consumed with the daily grind, that we sometimes forget that little things can make a difference in people's lives.

I understood what we were doing at the intellectual level, and I knew that something amazing was happening at the corner of Main St and Helena, but I didn't really hit me until a few months later. I was talking with HH, one of the pastors there, and a man approached us saying that someone had been sick in the bathroom and it needed to be cleaned. I remember thinking (or maybe saying out loud) "Ewwww". HH just said "Alright, I'll take care of it!" He found a mop, went back to the bathroom and cleaned it, while I (wo)-manned the door. Seeing him clean the bathroom without grumbling, or complaining was VERY humbling!

This post is not simply about serving at the food pantry... I have tons of eye-opening stories like this one!

Do I have a heart for the poor? I think I do.

Do I have God's heart for the poor? I don't think so, but I want to. I think my heart would burst into a million pieces if I did. He loves us all SO much! I don't think I'll ever completely "get it", but I am having fun learning!

EED