#9 Start the New Year blessed by the Mission

Tonight I went to serve at the Soup Kitchen at the Open door Mission. I had originally signed up to serve on Christmas Day, but as the man said to me today.....God had plans for me to be there tonight (and God had plans for me to go NC last minute with my family for Christmas).

It was a small crew. Myself, a staff member "Captain"--I think his name was Mike but the guys called him Captain so I never really caught his name, 2 guys (Brian & Kevin) --who are in the Program over at Plymouth Street and other other volunteer, Gary.

It was a short shift, only from 7:15-9:15....Which is so easy that it makes me think, Why haven't I done this before? It seemed so late to me, but once there it made sense.

They open their door at 4 and have coffee and a place for people to hang out. The staff starts the cooking so then the volunteers just come and finish prepping and setting things up. At 8pm they close the doors and have a church service. A local church (Fairport Evangelical) came and sang and gave the word focusing on it being a New Year. Ezekiel 36:26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

Dinner is served at 8:30 and tonight we served 75 people. There were some people who are paid to assist us with clean up of the tables and trash. We got a little tour of the quarters after dinner. They can sleep 40 men in their bunking quarters which were very neat and clean. On an extra cold night like tonight (it is supposed to go down into the teens) they are going to put 20 extra cots in the dining room and expand to 60 beds....what a blessing!!! Normally they close at 10 and reopen at 4, but they decided that tomorrow because of the storm and bitter that they would stay open all day....God provides!

They serve 365 days a year
http://www.opendoormission.com/

It was an honor and a blessing to serve. We had a good time. Being the only lady serving with a bunch of gentlemen they of course teased me about different things but don't worry....I gave it right back. Beause you know a bunch of guys in a kitchen---ewwwwwwhhhh!!!! :).

It was a WONDERFUL way to start 2010 off!