Small Group Outreach Recap
Keim Life Group
The Keims opened up their home to 13 middle school girls on Friday night. The girls enjoyed dinner and middle school girl fun (including tons of Christian music video sing-alongs) in addition to some Biblical lessons on dating/relationships. Two UW-Stevens Point Christian college guys came, shared their testimonies, and talked about dating from a Biblical perspective. The girls had a chance to ask the boys questions as well as journal their reflections on the talk.
Tarmann Life Group
The Edgar Tuesday Night Life Group hosted a game & snack night at the Heidi Apartments (rent-assistance apartments for primarily elderly residents) in Edgar.
When Patrick and I showed up at the apartments a little before 6pm, I had no idea what to expect. Bobbie & Will had hung up fliers in the apartment complex during the previous week, but I wasn't sure if any residents would actually show up. We walked into the super quiet community room (imagine floral pattern sofas, linen-covered tables, and antique picture frames) to find 7 older women sitting throughout the room. I apologized to them, thinking we were interrupting a meeting. One of them piped up, "We've been waiting for you - let's get this party started!"
The ladies made room around one large table and collectively played Yahtzee for 2 hours straight (the longest game of Yahtzee I've ever been a part of, but one of the most fun!) The ladies laughed & shared stories about their grandkids' wrestling meets and their husbands who had lost their battles to cancer. One resident gave us a tour of her apartment and showed us a picture of her father who fought in World War I.
Overall, the Outreach Night was extremely positive. All of the ladies were exceedingly grateful for the snacks, games, and conversation and said we needed to come back soon for another game night!
Cookies
The Tarmann life group decided to do one more outreach event. Each life group member baked cookies ahead of time, and we worked together tonight to wrap 30 bags of cookies to put in the Edgar Circle of Joy food pantry Easter baskets, which will be delivered tomorrow. Each bag of cookies has a little Mill Church tag with a note to the basket recipient, reminding them that they are loved & wishing them a happy Easter. The Circle of Joy serves 20 to 30 local Edgar & Marathon families in need.
Bancuk Life Group
The Bancuk Life Group did their outreach at Shirley's House of Hope in Marshfield on March 29th. We had a great turnout to help paint the volunteer bedroom and closet as well as organize canned goods. We were able to remove items from the walls, paint the room and closets (which contained lots of shelving), and put everything back on the walls within the two hours we planned to be there. It was a great team effort. We also spent time organizing their canned goods on shelves. We had intended to sanitize toys, but a group had come in the night before and completed that task.
It was a great night of serving along side one another, fellowship, and getting to know a great cause in our community a little more. Some members of our group have expressed interest in becoming regular volunteers at Shirley's House of Hope.
It is more blessed to give than to receive
Acts 20:35
