We were some of the first volunteers to arrive tonight, and M&E set up nearly all 50 beds with minimal help, including the bed pads, sheets, pillows and blankets. They helped make 50 brown-bag lunches for the homeless when they leave tomorrow morning, they made the lemonade for everyone to drink tonight, they set the tables, served the homeless and washed dishes at the end of our shift.
I first volunteered at this shelter two years ago, and I remember thinking then that it would be important for my own children to experience the responsibility of helping others through this ministry. I wondered - when I signed our family up for this a few weeks ago - if they were too young. They were not. I think they totally understood what they were doing tonight, especially when they saw several children close to their age come in from the cold needing food and shelter.
As we drove home tonight both of them said that it "felt good" to help others. We all agreed that we are very fortunate to have a warm home to return to.
