Witnessing Miracles

God performs miracles each and every day. Sometimes we notice, sometimes we don't (forgive us, Lord!). Occasionally, though, we have the privilege of witnessing a miracle that moves us in such a way that we are left in absolute awe of God's goodness and mercy--one that we can't HELP but notice. This is the story of one of those miracles:

On Friday, July 23, the call went out: the shelves at the Southeast Gwinnett Co-op were bare. Without donations of food (and lots of it), they would not be able to open their doors on Monday morning and they would have clients who would not be served.

People throughout the community began to pray for God to intervene, and asked Him for direction. How can we help, Lord? What do you want us to do? Among those who were called to act were the wonderful volunteers of 5-2 Ministry. An emergency session of coupon clipping and shopping was called, and everyone put aside their busy schedules and responded without hesitation.

In a whirlwind clipping session on Sunday afternoon, an unprecedented number of coupons were clipped for many, many items which were desperately needed at the co-op. In a typical week we are able to put together lists for about 4 shoppers who head to the stores and purchase a total of about 300 items to donate to the co-op. On Sunday, however, we had enough coupons available to send out TWICE that many shoppers!

Eight people graciously volunteered their time to shop. It was exciting to experience each one's enthusiasm as they picked up their lists and headed to the store, anxious to purchase as many items as they could to help stock the shelves (while still maintaining our guidelines of at least a 50% discount on regular prices, mind you!). No one knew at this point what the results would be, but we did know that God was at work and that His will was being carried out.

It was agreed that everyone would meet to deliver their purchases to the co-op at 7:00 that evening. In anticipation of a bountiful harvest, additional volunteers were called in to help unload groceries and stock the shelves. I don't think that ANYONE anticipated what would happen next, however. As the shoppers began to arrive with their groceries, it quickly became obvious that God had performed a mighty work! Cars, minivans, and SUV's pulled into the parking lot, loaded down with bags and bags of groceries. Volunteers jumped in and got to work, unloading, counting, sorting, stocking...it was an incredible sight. The food just kept coming, and the shelves began to fill.

Some were moved to tears as we witnessed what was happening. All were filled with joy! By the end of the evening, the shelves had been stocked with OVER 2,000 ITEMS!!!!


Not only was there enough food on the shelves for the co-op to open to its clients on Monday morning, some items were actually overstocked and put in the back room for future use--a situation which had not occurred at the co-op for quite some time.



God has given us so much to be thankful for this day, and shown us once again how loving and faithful He is! To the volunteers of 5-2 Ministry: thank you, thank you, thank you! As we called on God to be the solution at this time of crisis, He called on each of you to be His hands and feet. As willing servants, you not only heard God's call, but you also answered that call! May each of you be blessed through your dedication to Him, and...

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!