Ripples...

Sometimes you see a need and just volunteer to meet it without knowing how the story will unfold or the ripples that small act will create. 

You see, in 2013 we were on home assignment after our first term in Uganda and we were scheduled to serve at a camp meeting in PA. We were expected to speak on missions night, teach a youth class and participate in the missions marathon. But then we also served food in the dining hall and volunteered to watch children in the nursery. And it was just our boys and another family or two... but what happened afterwards we could never have imagined... 

That family we got to know from serving in the nursery, started praying for us, then started supporting us financially and just yesterday reached out to say that they would like to increase their giving by 50%. And as my husband commented this is #whyyouvolunteertobabysitatcampmeeting 

But it wasn't why we volunteered. We saw a need and we knew we could meet it. and after that the camp meeting realized they could be serving the kids at camp more (which is always a good thing. kids are people too). 

And you know that adorable toddler in the nursery we took care of? She says she has been having dreams lately that God is calling her to the mission field. just maybe in part because we said yes to God and volunteered in the nursery at camp meeting (and of course mostly because her parents are raising her well and are pumped about missions). Our kids are watching. What gets you excited? Where are you investing your money?

He is always up to something bigger when we say yes to Him! 

So, volunteer in the nursery- you don't know what seeds of faith you will plant in those tiny lives. See a need and meet it. And if you're a missionary- please volunteer for something besides preaching on missions night- it's the relationships that matter.