Chocolate. Strawberry. Vanilla.

Last week, I had the opportunity to make cupcakes with some friends for The Sparrow’s Nest – a place in Athens, GA where those in need can find help in a Christ centered environment – a hot meal or a bag of groceries shared in love; showers and laundry facilities for the homeless; donated clothing for the needy, and vibrant ministries to at risk children and youth.

My friends and I had a blast making cupcakes, danced around the kitchen, and enjoyed each other’s company. BUT, there was a bigger vision to the evening. Our goal was to help Grace Athens’ 5 Points House Church provide a full course meal for the homeless in Athens, GA. We so fortunately were given dessert! After the House Church served, I received this email and thought it would be neat to share.

“Good Morning 5 Pts House Church,
Just a quick note to thank each of you for supplying us with the “fishes and the loaves” yesterday!  It was an amazing feast that just kept on feeding!!

We arrived at Bigger Vision and everyone was super surprised that we were there for lunch!  Several people helped us set up and find things that we needed.  I thought it was strange that some of the items were missing to help serve such as paper products and ovens to heat up etc…but our little team just kept right on going…Kay ran to buy paper products as the rest of us continued to set up!  We fed around 20 people and then found out we were in the wrong spot!!

When the coordinator Debbie, and I talked about  the schedule and what was expected…. SOMEHOW I misunderstood.  I thought we were going back to the same place that we saw Debbie last with the PB & J sandwiches!!  We found out yesterday that she also helps with The Sparrow’s Nest…another “sandwich spot” from last Winter!

As we were serving, The Sparrow’s Nest was calling wondering where we were??  THEN they called back and said to keep serving where we were that someone else had brought in food for lunch there unexpectedly!!  Soooooo we finished and packed up the remainder of our meal for 60+ and took off to The Sparrow’s Nest where we contributed to the lunch there as those volunteers were running out of food!  We STILL had food left and arranged a FEAST for the evening youth group concert and event that was coming in at 6:00 at the Sparrow’s Nest.  Everyone there was ecstatic that they were going to have spaghetti, salad, bread and cupcakes for all the teens!

Folks it just gave us all chill bumps to watch as God multiplied our fruit.

I still am smiling as Kay kept pulling out more bread loaves and salad bags from the grocery bags!!!  We may have been in the wrong place but 20 people on opposite ends of our expected place in North Athens were fed when they least expected it and were so grateful…another individual group who was not on the lunch schedule was allowed to see that their hot meal was needed and appreciated….and OUR meal went to feed the expected 50+ youth for last nights gathering!  What a blessing!

Thank you so much to Jennifer, Kay, Kat and Reid for taking food and serving with me.  You guys are awesome!  Thank you also to those who sent food…wow at the bounty we were blessed with!  To those who expressed that you would have loved to help but you were out of town…hold that thought as we could talk about helping with this 3rd Thursday lunch slot at THE SPARROW’S NEST!!  It doesn’t have to be every month…maybe every other month.  We can discuss this on Monday night.

What a blessing this ministry is to so many here in the Athens Area.

We send hugs to all of you guys out of town…Brian, Sarah, Josh, Sam….and all of you others!!  We love and miss you and pray that God is blessing you beyond belief and giving YOU chill bumps that only He can produce!!  We cannot wait to hear your stories when you return!  Vacation schedules are still going on here but Our House Church is LOVING the Coming Home series that we are deep in to.  May this continue to minister to us and fill us up to overflowing as we do Summer in Athens!

Love and Hugs to all,
Karen”

Food was multiplied, and people in need were touched because of the simple act of service.

Take a step, and see what courage can do.