Volunteers make it happen

Love In Action relies totally on volunteers. Martha and I both volunteer all of our time, as does my mom. Nobody receives any money or perks. We do this because it's God's call on our lives.

However, we can't accomplish everything on our own. We rely on volunteers to help us get things done and minister the love of Jesus Christ to the homeless, needy and Houston County Work Release inmates.

People like Franklin Moore and Robert Pedrick are invaluable to Love In Action. They have done so much work at the LIA Ministry Center. From electrical to plumbing to building walls and hanging ceiling tiles, they have done it all. Other volunteers like Jim Kaye and Kelly Hudson have been a big help at the ministry center.

This past weekend was another great example of what volunteers can accomplish. Franklin and Robert were at the ministry center before Martha and I arrived. Robert was busy replacing ceiling tiles in the front half of the ministry center to make it look better. These aren't normal ceiling tiles. These tiles are made of sheet rock. He spent a large part of the day walking up and down a 10-foot ladder replacing the tiles. Nobody asked him to do it. He saw the need and did it.

Franklin was helping a woman and her son pick out furniture. They had just got an apartment. Before then, they didn't have a home. They were staying with family and friends. Her husband is one of the work release men who attend our Celebrate Recovery and Bible studies. He was worried about her not having furniture. We assured him last Wednesday night that we would take care of her.

Just before I arrived last Wednesday someone asked if we needed a bed. I said we did, because we didn't have any left. I didn't know that Monica needed one until I arrived at the ministry center and he told me that she did. I just smiled and told him that God had already taken care of that need. He left Wednesday night smiling and praising God.

Franklin and I moved the furniture we had at the warehouse, and a washer and dryer, to her apartment. She was so thankful. We are now out of furniture, so if anyone has any good used furniture to donate we could use it. Working washers and dryers are needed too. Please, no junk though.

On the way to her apartment she told me about her car. The alternator had died and she had bought one from the junkyard, but it didn't work. She didn't have the money to buy an alternator. I immediately called Richard. He's an outstanding mechanic who loves the Lord. We met him more than a year ago. He was homeless here in our hometown of Dothan.

I picked up an alternator at a local auto parts store and Richard put it on. It's his heart's desire to be able to help people like that, so he was thrilled to do that Saturday. Another volunteer making a difference for the Lord, and someone giving back.

We love and appreciate everyone who volunteers at Love In Action. This blog just points out a few. Those who volunteer for Celebrate Recovery are incredible, and that's an entirely different blog entry all together that I will write at a later date.

Thank you to everyone who volunteers at Love In Action. There is no way we could accomplish everything we do without you.

If you are interested in volunteering, please do. Here are some opportunities:
- We need small group leaders for Celebrate Recovery.
- We need people who can help us get people to and from work and to job interviews and shopping.
- We need people to help sort and organize clothes.

More opportunities will be upcoming as we expand the ministry center. I encourage you to come out and find your place in the ministry.