Originally published in the October 25, 2007 issue of The Evangel.
by Carol Bryson, FBC member
What is your favorite church memory? Mine is easy--several years ago our Sunday School department started helping with Room in the Inn. The RITI program runs from November through March and is a wonderful ministry. Individuals and Sunday School groups provide a hot meal, snacks, shower facilities and laundry service to approximately 30 tired, hun-gry, homeless people each week in our Rec Center. Most of the time the group is all men but there have been times when women and families with small children have come.
At first I will admit I was scared. I had no clue what to expect and did not know if I would be helpful or not. I decided to be as much like Jesus as possible and just love our guests as HE would and try to make them feel welcome. I knew I wanted to show my children it was okay to be around the homeless and not be afraid. With our family in tow (our young-est was just a toddler), we served our first dinner that year at RITI and have been doing so every year since! Last year, as a family, we cooked, prepared and served dinner on Christmas Eve along with several others from the church. It was one of my favorite "mommy" moments--seeing my kids interacting with the guests and talking to them while serving them dinner. It was the highlight of my Christmas season.
Volunteers are still needed to help with RITI this year. I encourage you and your family to get involved. Most classes help out one time and some classes do more. It is worth every minute. You can also volunteer on an individual basis. I promise you there will be some great memories made and lives can be forever changed...mine included.
