Volunteer Luncheon: April 2021
We had a great afternoon honoring our volunteers. The dining hall smelled of delicious chicken alfredo, thanks to our Kitchen Manager, Kuntry, and was also filled with fellowship. 
We began with a word of prayer and our event was led by Volunteer Coordinator, Kanesha. At each luncheon, we have the pleasure of recognizing volunteers who reached 100 hours and churches/teams who have served ten years or more. For April, we celebrated First Church Fayetteville–served for a decade! We love First Church ; every time they serve, this team carries a bright smile and takes the time to individually pray with our family.
Pictured above is Mary Newsham, First Church Fayetteville, accepting the award.
First Church shares, ” It [Operation Inasmuch] is an amazing place to come to and has helped the community so much.” Well, we could NOT do anything without our volunteers and their prayers!
Kanesha concluded the luncheon with our “Mission Moment”, featuring our brother, Kevin Jernigan. Kevin came to The Lodge last summer and transformed his life completely. Kanesha encouraged while serving breakfast is only an hour at a time, you might not physically see change ever happen—but it does.
She referenced an online blog post, by Sarah Michelle Cruz, that shared about slow growth in God. And in that post, Cruz mentions a book on bamboo. The author quotes,
Apparently, once the seed has been sown, you see nothing for about five years, apart from a tiny shoot. All the growth takes place underground, where a complex root system reaching upward and outward is being established. Then, at the end of the fifth year, the bamboo suddenly shoots up to a height of twenty-five meters.
Kanesha concluded with it could take years before we see any positive change or turn around, but with continued morning devotions, volunteers showing up, God is at work. It’s a slow, and at times, agonizing, process but God’s plan is good.
Thank you, volunteers, for your commitment and love. WE LOVE YOU!
If you would like to read about Kevin’s story, he was featured in our print Spring Newsletter. Click here!
