Volunteer Testimonials
This testimonial comes from Elizabeth Nocheck of the Congregational
Church of Pinehurst.
A Cherry Tomato Smile
Last month, my family was given the opportunity to prepare,
deliver, and serve a meal to Family Promise of Moore County families.
We drove out to Jackson Springs Presbyterian Church, food
in hand, to serve the two families in the network. We had prepared
a cheesy chicken lasagna dish, salad, and ice cream with strawberries
for dessert. As soon as the families arrived, the little ones
were very hungry so we got into the business of getting high
chairs filled with children and food.
One little girl wanted a little something different, as many
three year olds do, so, with permission from her mother, I
made her a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I spread out the
peanut butter and jelly on one side of the piece of bread to
make a "sandwich." She laughed at me and said, "Uh
oh, you broke my bread." She said this as if it were the
funniest thing in the world. Then she picked up the newly 'broken'
sandwich and began eating quickly and a little bit later, she
requested another.
Soon enough my attention turned to a little two-year-old
boy. He grabbed my attention because he was looking around
and quietly asking for 'more.' I looked at his bare plate
and asked his mother if I could refill it It had to be refilled
another three times after that, that evening. Lee commented
later "that he wondered how hungry a little guy has
to be to eat that much!"
Last then, another little lady caught my attention. She
was just 18 months old. I remembered trying to help her at
the beginning of the meal, and her mother telling me she needed
to learn to be independent and was okay on her own with her
spoon. Now, I noticed her reaching out to her mother's salad
and eating the cherry tomatoes off the top of the lettuce.
I went back to where I had made the salad, took out a handful
of cherry tomatoes, and put them on her high chair tray.
She popped each and every one into her mouth as if I were
giving her the best gift she ever had. Cherry tomato smiles
were all over her sweet little face!
We sat down and ate with the families. They were such gracious
guests. They complimented the food, raved about the church
they were staying in, and exchanged nice conversation with
all of us. It was a conversation filled with the normalcy
of life.
Both mothers were such beautiful, pleasant women, and the
little ones were just as adorable and sweet as I would wish
for my own children to be. I don't know what landed them
in this situation, but I know I have had hard times before
and I would like to think I would have a smile on my face
and a happy spirit in their situation after a long hard day.
A few notes of observation: *These families sleep in a
different place than they live; * The mothers work daily
to save up enough money in order to gain a better life. They
are strong and proud women who are working towards a brighter
tomorrow with the assistance of our church.
I am so glad that Congregational Church of Pinehurst participates
in this ministry. If you haven't had the opportunity to give
to this effort, I ask you give it a try. I can promise you
that you will feel good when you come home, and knows you
may want to keep making a difference on a regular basis.
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