Thankful to Give from Their Own Table

by Storytelling Team Member | December 4, 2009

Eight people from a Rock Church small group for married couples demonstrated their thankfulness this Thanksgiving Day by personally cooking and distributing meals to neighborhoods in San Diego, El Cajon and Ocean Beach.

thanksgivingmeals1.jpg
For 10 years, small-group leaders Michael and Shawn McCowan, with their four children, have had an annual family tradition of handing out meals to the homeless from their car.

Inspired by the McCowans, their small group made it their project this year to impact the communities near them in a similar way.Were happy that others have taken it upon themselves to touch peoples lives, said Michael. We hope that more people will see the value of giving from their own table. It makes the giving personal.

We hope that more people will see the value of giving from their own table. It makes the giving personal.-- Michael McCowan

Its great serving God, said group member Doug Nelson, Its a great way to spend Thanksgiving Day not thinking about us.

Doug distributed meals with his wife, Dyan, and their small-group host, Marilyn Mike. The three went to neighborhoods in Ocean Beach, including Robb Field and the OB pier, meeting many homeless many of them teenagers whom they invited to church.

I told them, We would love to have you (at the Rock), said Dyan.

Marilyn added that many recipients she spoke to were grateful for having someone come to them where they were.

Some liked that they didnt have to go anywhere, said Marilyn. They liked that we were amongst them. One said to me, This is what heaven will be like.

Greg and Lisa Schumsky took their teenage children to El Cajon, where they drove around until they found people who needed a meal. There was a young man named Larry, who said he had been kicked out of his home for drug use; a man named Earl; a recently hospitalized man named Alex; and a threatening-looking man named Tim who turned out to be one of the nicest they met. The nameless faces became humanized as the family learned their stories.

We saw this one man who appeared threatening and we werent going to stop. Our kids said we really cant judge him, so we turned around, said Greg. The kids loved it.

It was so sweetjust talking to them, said Lisa, adding that the time and expense involved made them realize they could possibly give meals more often.

It was a really neat experience. It really wouldnt take any effort to do that once a month.

-------------------

An anonymous volunteer writer with Rock the Word: The Rock Church Writers Ministry wrote this story. If you're interested in writing, or in telling how God is using the Rock to change lives, go to www.sdrock.com/ministries/writers/ for more information.


    
 
Continue

More Stories

Jesus and Anxiety
Jesus experienced anxiety, too. Here's Why That Matters for our Faith.
Learn more
Holy Spirit Glow Up
The fruit vs the gifts: What's the difference, and what's more important?
Learn more
Joy Came Down!
A Reflection on Toys for Joy 2022
Learn more
Read All Stories

Have A Story To Tell?

Testimonies are a powerful way to share the Good News of the Gospel with the world. How has God changed your life? We want to hear.
Share Your Story