Former Addicts Helping the CommunitysteemCreated with Sketch.

in christian-trail •  7 years ago 

Being a Christian transitional housing program, the ministry I work for performs service work for several different organizations and churches in the area. One of the things we do is volunteer to help out the "Bread of Life Food Pantry" at a Church called Calvary Christian Fellowship. The Church passes out a bag of groceries and a bowl of soup in the name of Jesus as a way to help the community and try to win souls for the Kingdom

It is a requirement for our newer guys in the program to go and give back to our community by helping unload the truck and prepare the bags that are given out at the food pantry. They also help out carrying the bags to the cars of the clients of the pantry as a lot of them are elderly.


Volun-Told


After our guys are here for 90 days they can do community service (Or as we call it, Kingdom Service) to get extra points on their point sheets if they fall short in another area, such as meeting attendance. When they are new we try to instill in them the idea that it is not only fun, but feels good to give back.

Since the summer semester at my college is over and I have a couple weeks until the next semester starts, I was able to go to the food pantry with my guys for a change. Back when I was a resident, the food pantry was a great experience, and most all the guys that go eventually learn to love it too. I took pictures today and thought maybe you might like to see them. I couldn't take pictures of the clients of course because it would be wrong, but the volunteers all gave me permission, so here goes!


The Church


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Isn't this about the most quaint little Church?


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We have a full Kitchen where we make soup to serve the guests.


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We get the food from the food bank in the Church bus...



Then we gotta unload it!!


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And move it downstairs into the basement...


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We slide the boxes on tables into the basement...


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The whole operation is overseen by a cadre of stuffed animals...


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Once in the basement there is plenty to do...


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Well maybe not this guy...But notice the pastries laid out for the clients to feel welcome...


And the owner of the stuffed animals...


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Back to work slackers!!


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Gotta get organized...


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There is much to do!


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Have to count everything to make it fair...


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Even the meat...


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And of course the sweets!


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Time to pack the bags!


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Job well done!


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Time to relax a little and fellowship...


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My guys like to goof off some...


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Does this look like some guys that were in active addiction not long ago? Look at those faces!!


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Here's me with one of the guys (I am the long haired fat guy with glasses!)


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Here is my boss, the house manager, come to visit all sweaty from working in our garden (He is an awesome dude!)


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Hanging with the Fellas...


See what Jesus can do for people?


This is an awesome testament to what the power of God can do in men's lives when they seek him out. These guys were all active hard core drug addicts and alcoholics not that long ago, and now they are living clean lives, going to Church and learning about God's love for them, all while giving back to the community they have hurt in the past. I am truly blessed to be a part of this ministry!


As Always...


If you have enjoyed this post and would like to read more about a hard-core drug addict that has been redeemed by Jesus, please follow and support me. Also, if you would like to see a chat room opened on discord for addiction and recovery issues, please go to this post and leave a comment in support.
Discord Addiction Chat Support


All photos and writing original!

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That's a lot of pictures...

Thanks.....I think

That's a lot of pictures, I was excited! :D

Thanks I am glad you enjoyed them!! I am not as pretty as you but I try!!

Now, now, it is not about the looks :D

Ok...

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If you like what we're doing please upvote this comment so we can continue to build the community account that's supporting all members.

It is great to see you guys working towards a great cause!

Thank you very much...we do our best!!

God bless you for all your wonderful work.

Thank you!!

You are most welcome @nobutad

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Follow me

Thank you!!

Follow me

Great post and God Bless you for the work you are doing for His Kingdom!

Thank you very much!!

You are welcome! Our pastor is a former addict. Our church is a Calvert Chapel and we have a lot of outreaches to homeless shelters.

Awesome!!

Well done. Addiction is not an easy thing to overcome. You are doing a noble thing here.

I am just trying to give back what I have been given. I am far from noble, just a servant.

I've seen churches refuse to feed the homeless unless they attend a service first, how do you feel about this?

I think the Church has the right to say that if you are going to use our service it is on ur terms just like any other organization. If someone cannot stomach a half hour sermon to have a free meal and access to resources then how desperate are they really? But that is just my opinion.

How do you expect someone will learn anything when they are hungry? Sounds like coercion to me, but then again I actually know what it feels like to go hungry.

I don't know, around here there is no shortage of places to get help with food. Again, I didn't see anything different that a business requiring a shirt and tie to get in. And, by the way, I was homeless living under the bridge and begging change for heroin for 7 years. I know what hungry is too.

Then how can you justify the practice of dragging out hunger for no reason? You don't think if you feed them and they leave before the service they will remember that christians helped them? It doesn't seem like charity when you have to pay for it first. How can you think they will pay any attention to the service when they may be about to faint?

If you're afraid they will leave and won't hear the message you could very well have the service at the cafeteria while they eat. But have them sit down to listen while they are hungry? Sorry dude, that just seems cruel to me.

Brother you act as though I run a mission or something. I do not. My opinion is that if your really that hungry your not going to have a problem waiting a half an hour, and if you don't then maybe you weren't that hungry. It sounds like you have a problem with Christians for some reason, I can assure you that most of us just want to help. I am not going to argue with you, I am sorry you had a bad experience, I hope you are able to forgive. Gog Bless!

Certainly an amazing post. It is a great thing that you are doing. Almost a rehabilitation! Please keep up the good work! Great pics as well!

Thanks...I hope people see what we do and it changes the way they think about people in recovery.

It's hard to cope with the recoverees sometimes.

What a great ministry. Giving is so much fun and it feels good to put a smile on someones face. I love helping others and giving. My husband doesn't get it. He thinks the world revolves around him. Maybe someday he will get it. Thank you for what you and your friends are doing! Be blessed!

Thank you, I pray for your husband, Like right now I do!!

Upvoted and RESTEEMED :]

Thank you for the support!!

Thats awesome! God bless you

Thank you very much!!

I enjoyed your post. To work with your fellow Christians is very nice, makes me think back a long time ago. Thank you for sharing!

Thank you for being interested!! God bless!!