General12 Feb 2008 02:39 pm
Hey Everyone,
Just a chance for me to take a deep breath, smack dab in the middle of our “Go Campaign” and reflect a little! What a wild ride so far! We have seen an incredible response from the great people of Colorado Ridge over the last three weeks! You have all responded with your actions in ways that are really meeting the needs of our community. AND THAT IS EXCITING!
And as the Go Denver Project approaches, I wanted to get your feedback on how this campaign has impacted you and your family. What are some of the ways that your life is being moved, your perspective is being changed or your heart is growing? Tell us your “GO STORY”… We need to here it, and you need to tell it!
Ryan
February 14th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
We are getting excited to head down to the Ronald McDonald House and find out how we may be the most help on March 1st and then plan times for preparing and serving meals thereafter.
Jessa had two surgeries as a newborn at Children’s Hospital and Troy and I were thankful to live close by. We are looking forward to serving families who not only have a child undergoing treatment, but have to be far from home during the process. It is wonderful that our Colorado Ridge families can bring their own children … hopefully they will be able to play with some of the siblings staying at the Ronald McDonald House and help take their little minds off of more serious matters, at least for a while.
February 15th, 2008 at 10:30 am
I was moved and encouraged by Ryan’s comment to the effect that Christ is “sacramentally present in the poor” – suggesting that when we do things for the poor and forgotten out of love for Christ, it is the same as doing it to Christ. Jesus said pretty much the same thing in Matthew 25:40 “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” I think all of us struggle with mixed and conflicting emotions concerning the poor and homeless. I know I do. Yes, we’re sympathetic to their suffering, but it’s easy to justify or rationalize not providing help because they may be alcoholics, or drug addicts, or criminals, or con artists, or just lazy or personally irresponsible. And we don’t want to be encouraging or rewarding bad behavior. But when we look at Christ’s statement in Matt. 25:40 and the many other biblical references to the heart of God for the poor, the widow, the stranger, the prisoner, and the orphan, it seems clear we are called not to judge, but to clothe, feed, and care for people simply because they have needs, and to do it out of love for Christ, because he first loved us. I agree with Ryan that little things done with great love can make a big difference. Last week over 190 pairs of men’s pants were donated (if you forgot, bring them this Sunday, or next, it’s an ongoing need). Let’s see Jesus in the 190 Denver homeless men who receive these pants. GO DENVER!
February 20th, 2008 at 10:18 am
Because we will be out of town on March 1st, it was exciting to hear how we can help now and on going. I am making blankets for the homeless. There is an on going need for blankets, so it is something I can continue to do. My next “baby step” might be to hand out the blankets.
We have gone to Rancho De Sus Ninos for years but some how going to Denver and handing things to the homeless seems a little more scary.
Kathy Ashley