Tuesday, May 14, 2013

It Began with a God-Sized Dream: Nonprofits Impacting the World

Tuesday's Link Up With Holley -- God-Sized Dreamin' at it's best! Take this “do what you can” step for your God-sized dream: Share about your favorite nonprofit organization. They are all God-sized dreams in action. How have they inspired you? 

There are so many great nonprofit organizations out there! Sometimes I wish I could support all of them!  So I've narrowed it down to two that are on my mind this morning.

Locally, and as it relates to my God-Sized Dream, I really appreciate Lost and Found Grief Center, and I really would like to begin to volunteer there. (They only have 1 volunteer training a year - in the fall, so I have to wait).  You see, as I've been processing the dreams in my heart, I know that I want to help people heal on their own journey, especially as it relates to grief and all that one must process when a loss occurs.  While I hope my written words will one day benefit others, I've felt more of a tugging that I need to be connecting locally, in-real-life, with others on this journey.

Convoy of Hope

Locally and Globally, I love Convoy of Hope: A Driving Passion to Feed the World. Before we moved here 5 years ago, I'd never even heard of this amazing organization, that is based here in Springfield, and impacts millions of lives around the world, through disaster relief and local feeding programs.  They have opportunities where we can volunteer on Tuesdays, and I'm looking forward to doing this again with the girls this summer with more flexible bedtime schedules! (Want to join us?!) I love knowing that our efforts do make a difference.

A few years ago, I got to hear the founder of Convoy of Hope speak at our church, and wow - talk about a God-Sized Dream, that God placed in his heart! I'm so glad he followed that dream! What started with him buying groceries and handing them out in poor neighborhoods (through local churches) from the back of his truck --to 16 years later having fed 55 million people in 100 countries, and $304 million worth of supplies and food given away. WOW!

BONUS: If you've never heard of Mercy Ships (and before this morning, I had not!), you should read what my friend Mel has to say about them. Amazing, beautiful people working for this nonprofit!

3 comments:

Mel said...

Thank you for the shout-out, friend! And I love what you shared today...especially that you take your girls to volunteer with an organization that is truly making a difference. When Mae is older, maybe we'll drive over and join you. That would be so fun! :) It was great to talk to you this morning, too...we need to do that more often! Blessings, friend! :)

Amy said...

There are so many great organizations out there but I especially love when we find one on our own communities that we can connect with and get our whole family involved in.

Lisa Larson said...

I love this post, and both of the organizations you mentioned! And I love how you get the whole family involved! I've been wanting to find a soup kitchen or somewhere I could take the kiddos to volunteer hands-on this summer. Wish we lived closer and could do it together. Thanks for inspiring me :)