A Year of Stone Soup!

A Year of Stone Soup!

     Toward the end of last year, I began thinking of all that God had done during our first year of ministry and all that He would want to do in 2015.  We and our volunteers worked hard in 2014 and we were physically tired. However; God had done so much with so little.   Tony and I reflected on the first Kids’ Connection where literally no one showed up, but volunteers.  Then we reflected on the Birthday Party for Jesus (our last event in 2014) where we had 50 people not counting our volunteers!  God has brought us so far in such a short time!  We want to make sure to give Him thanks and praise for that!

     We did not schedule any ministry events in January—setting a precedent for years to come!  We wanted our volunteers to rest. Tony and I also rested, prayed, and were seeking to learn what it is that God would have us do in the year 2015.  Then we met with our board and our volunteers and presented a calendar and a budget so we could get going again!

    Our central theme this year is Stone Soup!  It was one of my favorite stories as a kid.  For those who are unfamiliar, Stone Soup is a folk tale about a group of 3 soldiers (monks or farmers depending on the version you read) who are on a journey.  They travel through a village at meal time and begin to ask villagers to give them so food.  Not one villager will share with them, in fact they all say they don’t have enough for themselves, let alone to share.  It is the same story with everyone the soldiers speak to.  Eventually, the soldiers decide to make stone soup.  They ask a villager for a pot and some water which they are given.  In the center of the village they build a fire and heat their pot with water and a few stones.  Curious villagers ask what the soldiers are doing and are told that they are making stone soup.  With each answer, the soldiers comment that the soup would taste even better if it had an ingredient (meat, potatoes, carrots, or spices) which villagers each take turns going home to bring back. Eventually there is enough delicious soup for the soldiers and the whole village!

   Our desire for this year using this theme, is to begin to build a partnership with the people we have been serving. The most effective ministry in our neighborhood is one that reflects a diversity of people and the variety of gifts that God has blessed each of us with!  In 1 Peter 4:10 we are told, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”  You may notice that it does not say “If you have a gift.”  Each of us has a gift from the Lord that is to be used for His purpose.  We know that while most of these people have needs that require outside financial assistance, they are still blessed by God and can faithfully serve Him and others. We will be encouraging them to find an area of service where they can use their gifts and talents to bless others! 

  We also want to encourage each of you to pray about using the gifts and talents God has given you to partner with us! We are starting two new programs this year so the need for compassionate and loving volunteers and mentors has never been greater! You may serve one time or several according to your schedule and how you feel led to serve.  We have openings where you can work with adults, with children, or volunteer to do more of the office end of things. To find out more about when/how you can volunteer with us, please email info@livingbridgesministry.org we would be happy to tell you about all of the areas we have available and let you select the best match for your gifts and talents!

Blessings, Darcy