A couple of weeks ago I was in Chicago for an Urban Project with InterVarsity. We spent three days serving with local ministries there and I had the privilege of partnering with Grace and Peace, a Christian church in Hermosa, Chicago. It is located in a primarily latino neighbourhood and truly seeks to meet the needs of its community.
For three days, we served and helped them run their after school program for children in the Chicago Public School system. I loved speaking Spanish with the children and encouraging them to finish their homework.
One day, we also helped the church run their food pantry. We helped them set up and brought clothing out for the clothing closet as well. As we set up, I struck up conversation with several of the volunteers. I learned that they traveled to Hindsdale, a city over 30 minutes away to pick up donated food from a grocery store there. I asked why they didn't turn to grocery stores closer by, but they explained that all the closer grocery stores were already donating their food to other food pantries in the area.
And so, this church decided that a food pantry was a necessary service for those in their community and committed to make the drive on a weekly basis in order to serve their community better. I was so impressed. This attitude of service reminded me that serving others is rarely convenient. If we wait to serve others when it fits into our schedule, when it doesn't take too much time, when I can squeeze it in, then we will serve others rarely.
This church was a beautiful example of inconvenient service. They opened up their building five days a week to dozens of children. They had to schedule worship practices and weekly meetings around this after school program. They drove to Hindsale to pick up groceries. They made hospital visits to church members and refused to stay only 15 minutes. This church practiced inconvenient service every day of the week.
I was humbled and blessed to serve alongside them.
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