It’s officially fall now as of last week..it seems like it was just spring, where did summer go? I have been thinking about how when I was a kid summer seemed to last a lot longer!
We had lot’s of fun playing water balloon games with the Power House kids..one of the favorites was one we played at Alexander this summer. It created much excitement for the kids as well as the neighborhood. As we were having the kids play water balloon volley with sheets flinging the balloons, the kids would scream with laughter and hope of their team getting the next point! The water balloons are done for the year and we will have to wait until next summer for all those fun filled games!
Some of the sites are going inside already and others are trying to get the most of the great weather while we have it. The leaves are changing colors as our schedules also change. Peppercorn and Yorkcreek have closed the summer impact sites and look forward to next year, we had so much fun at those locations and would’ve loved to continued there but there was not a place to be inside nor volunteers..we used many high school students to run the sites. Many of the Grand Rapids Public schools have closed over the past year, including Alexander Elementary. Power House had one of our sites in there for over 10 years. We are still trying to find a place to have that site meet inside, we know God will provide. It’s sad to hear that we will no longer be at Alexander and time is short that we will be able to run outside.
Seasons change not only in the calendar but in life and where God brings us to minister. Sometimes we have a hard time knowing or understanding why…But God’s ways are higher, bigger, better then ours. We may be sad or frustrated or confused if we are not yielding to Gods new direction…but if we just stop and submit and say “…Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.” (Luke 11:2) And He will give you peace and grace for this season. Life has many seasons much more than 4 like our calendar year. And Power House also does, but our vision will remain the same.
Last night as I rummaged through my closet, I found a Bible that was given to me when I was 7. The Bible instantly brought back memories. That Bible was given to me by a lady named Dorothy McDougal. Dorothy knocked on our door one day to invite us to a Bible program for kids that was held in her home. Dorothy came to our door at just the right time. At age 7, our home was not a peaceful home. My brother, sister, and I were all being physically and mentally abused by our mom’s boyfriend, Ernie. Ernie would often smoke pot in our home and give my brother and I beer to drink. We were living in total fear. Bible Study Hour at Dorothy’s was a place where there was peace and you knew that you were loved. We would stop by Dorothy’s house even when it wasn’t Bible Study Hour to get a drink or to just talk. I remember Dorothy delivering an Alf cake to me on my birthday. Dorothy took us to her church. Dorothy even gave me a dog.
Our family was rough around the edges, but Dorothy didn’t seem to care. Later as my mom began to turn her life around, she would say, “I really liked Mrs. McDougal. When I was living in sin, she never condemned me. She only showed me love.” Dorothy made a lasting impression in my mom’s life. Today my mom is serving God. Dorothy definitely made an impact in my life. Our world needs more Dorothys. Our society is so self consumed. Many people live each day focused on their job, their stuff, and their leisure time. Many people spend time with those who are just like them, never taking time for others that might be a bit different than them. I was a goofy kid that wore high water pants because we didn’t have much money, but Dorothy found the time to come knock on my door. She found the time to befriend someone not quite like her. Where are all the Dorothys at now? I know where some of them are. They are serving in ministries like Power House, Street Light, and Prison ministry. They are your Sunday School teachers and various other volunteers and individuals that never get much recognition. To Dorothy McDougal and all the other Dorothys out there, thank you for your selfless service! We are indebted to you.