A volunteer with Men and Women of Action (MWOA) testifies of the power of the effectiveness of the organization, particularly at this time of the year.
By Gina Gholston
A drive through the Appalachian Mountains is almost breathtaking, but the beauty of these mountains can also hide a multitude of struggles. It’s hard to imagine that here in our prosperous nation there could ever be people suffering from the throes of poverty, but they are there. And while not everyone in the mountain regions fall under the poverty line, many legitimately do. Their hearts cry out daily for some ray of hope, especially during this time of the year when there is no money for a Thanksgiving meal, or to purchase Christmas gifts for the children. The weight of such disappointment only adds to the burden they already carry.
Such is the scene in the small town of Bluefield, West Virginia. But for this holiday season, in this town…hope has come! It has come through the compassionate hearts of 46 Men and Women of Action volunteers who’ve traveled here from 10 different states and 1 foreign country to spend their Thanksgiving with total strangers who are daily becoming more and more like part of the family. For one week this team of MWOA volunteers is linking arms with Pastor Michael York and the staff and members of the Cumberland Road Church of God. Together we will descend on this mountain town like a tornado of love, blowing in a fresh wind of hope. We’ve come not only to speak of God’s love, but also to show His love in action.
[1]This project has been a year in the making, involving much prayer and legwork by each of our volunteers. The Pastor and the church staff have also been working here in Bluefield. Teaming up with schools and local relief agencies, they have distributed to the families with the greatest need, sign-up sheets for the food and coat distribution, as well as for the children’s Christmas party. The MWOA volunteers, throughout the year, have collected toys, gifts, coats, food, blankets, diapers, baby supplies, wrapping paper, boxes…well, you get the idea. With God’s help, we have gathered enough donations to FILL several travel trailers, trucks, cars, and an 18-wheeler to capacity. And upon our arrival, our first order of business was to unload the treasures! It took an entire day for this team of 46 to unload everything! We have filled the church and the church parking lot with what looks to the average eye to be a lot of “stuff”, but in the eyes of those who will receive the food, coats, and gifts, it’s the love of Jesus revealed, as He extends His hands through ours and says to these people and to this community, “I see you and I care about you!”
With everything unloaded, the task of putting it all together begins. The team is assembled and as we each take our places, it seems to be chaos, but it’s actually like an orchestra, each note building on the other as we climb in the grand crescendo. Food is sorted and assembled into boxes, toys and gifts are assorted into age and gender groups and each gift is wrapped, coats are sorted into sizes and gender groups and placed on hangers and racks, a tent is raised for the food/coat/blanket distribution, boxes are built and packed with food, strategies are planned for traffic, decorations are hung and preparations made for the grand finale, which is the children’s Christmas party! So much to do! We are like busy bees working hard and fast, but as each part comes together the revelation of it all is a truly humbling and priceless experience as we behold the overwhelming reality of how much God loves and cares for people!
The joy of it all can be seen on all of our faces. But our joy is mixed with sorrow this year, as we daily are finding that the need is far greater than we even anticipated.
This is a mining town, and the mines are closing down, along with one of the largest industries in the region. Hundreds have already been laid off just this month, and hundreds more will be laid off in the months ahead. Desperation is at an all time high. In the 15 years since MWOA began this Appalachian Project, we have never been faced with such massive, overwhelming need and desperation. Our plans were to distribute well over 400 food boxes, but we are finding it’s nowhere near enough. Each day we have had to turn people away who come to see if they can be added to the list of those who will receive a food box. The greatest need is for food. This is a matter of survival for many of these families. A week’s worth of groceries, coats for the entire family, blankets, and toys for Christmas may not seem like much, but the money this will help them to save will seriously help to relieve the pressure they are now under.
Our week has just begun and already we are overwhelmed by the need. We have expended our budget, and we still do not have enough supplies. If you would like to give to this project, please take the time to do so. Don’t allow it to “slip your mind” and don’t put it off until another time. Now is the time! God has chosen to make Himself known to the people of Bluefield, WV. If we each contribute, we can make an enormous positive impact in the lives of these precious people! We can’t all go, but we can all pray, and many can give financially to ensure that those whom God is leading us to bless will receive everything they need. What a joy and an honor it is for this MWOA team to be sent by God to this town. And what an even greater joy and relief it will be for us to be able to leave West Virginia knowing that not one family who came to us hungry was turned away!
(Source: Gina Gholston, MWOA Volunteer)