Much Service by Ryan
This morning the team from IBC brought joy to a community through their service at the Raymond Skinner Handicap Center in Memphis. This facility is a mix of both young and old and today their morning was spent dancing, playing games, hearing stories, and doing arts and crafts. It was a reminder that when we serve those who need help most we are actually serving Christ and fulfilling his heart.
Lunch today was spent at the historic Tom Lee Park where Tom Lee is honored for his heroic, single-handed, rescue in 1925 of 30 men who were stuck on a boat in the Mississippi. During a time of continued prejudice Tom Lee, an African-American, risked his life to save the “other.” It was a reminder for the team that the work of reconciliation can involve risk and will require perseverance and hard work.
After lunch the team headed back to the Cleaborne and Foote homes to finish up their delayed ministry from the day before. It was an afternoon of fellowship as members of the team spent their time playing with the local children and donating some of their own clothes to the pile that community received.
Eventually in the evening, thanks to a Tornado Warning, the team made it to the More Than a Meal homeless feeding at the Idlewood Presbyterian church on Union Ave. This historic congregation has been providing free meals and fellowship to the community for generations.