True Joy at Christmas

Typically, I am unable to be a part of the delivery of our 5-2 Ministry purchases to the Southeast Gwinnett Co-op.  Because of my work schedule I am not able to make it to the co-op during the times that they are open to receive food donations, but we have been blessed with a faithful volunteer (thank you, Dawn) who comes by every Monday morning to pick up the items we have to donate and delivers them for us.  She is a lifesaver!  However, this week I am enjoying a little time off from work, and I was actually able to make two deliveries this week.  There is no way to express the feeling that came over me as I made my first delivery:  As I received a tour of the facility, Sherre pointed out to me that some of the items that they needed so desperately were exactly the items which we had donated.  The co-op was completely out of cereal for their families.  We delivered 32 boxes.  There was no toilet paper.  We brought 16 rolls. Amazing!

Today I had the pleasure of making another delivery from the shopping list we compiled at our meeting last night.  Again, all of these were items which the co-op had been completely out of.  The volunteers at the co-op truly love the families they serve, and they were extremely grateful to receive our donation so that more of their needs could be met. We took them shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, pancake mix, sugar, mayonnaise, crackers, instant potatoes, cooking oil, ketchup, and napkins: in all, 134 items worth $274.55 on which we spent $93.73--a 66% savings!

Today I am thanking God for the privilege of being a part of 5-2 Ministry. Because of all of the faithful servants who have given so much of themselves in support of our efforts, 5-2 Ministry has already served many families in a very short period of time.  God has reminded me again that it is when we live for Him that we receive true joy, and through this ministry I have certainly experienced TRUE joy this Christmas.

Blessings to you all, and MERRY CHRISTMAS!