I have lived in Alton most of my life and really do love it here--yes, even with all its quirks and peculiarities. I love that I can get the best roast and ham salad at Schwegels, that Janet at Hayner Public Library knows each member of our family by name, that the Upper Alton postmaster, Bill, knows how each member of my family is related and who has already been to the office that day, that my parents and my sister's family both live within walking distance of my home, that I still see childhood friends while shopping at Target and can still take my kiddos to some of my favorite parks like Haskell and Gordon Moore.
This is why, in the past year or so, our family has really felt a burden for this city and the people who live here. Our family is part of a very missionally minded church at Emmanuel Free Methodist. On top of that, we decided to join a small group within our church of people desiring to reach out to and serve the people of Alton--just getting to know our neighbors and be involved in what is happening here.
One of Dustin and I personal goals within this bigger mission is teaching our children to be missionaries in their daily lives. I grew up thinking that in order to be a missionary I had to risk my life, learn a new language, eat bugs and travel halfway around the world. The reality is that I should have been being a missionary, right here, all along.
An opportunity arose, via email from our church, regarding a summer meal program to feed the children of our community who would usually receive free or discounted lunches through the school district. Instantly I knew that this was something we could commit to as a family. This was something that would have a direct impression on the kiddos and be able to be participated in by each one of them.
This week, on a chilly and drizzly Thursday, we set out for Main Street Methodist Church to hand out sack lunches. What a simple thing to do--sit outside on benches and wait for people to come--no questions asked, just come.
The kiddos knew what we were going to do and were rather excited about meeting new friends more than anything else. They know, in their little kid way, that there was a time not so long ago that a program like this would have been very valuable to our family. Dustin and I know that it is only by the grace of God that he has a good job and is able to provide for our family.
The summer program is called TWIGS (ummm, still not really sure what exactly that stands for) and is being enacted all summer long at various locations around Alton.
Our family is committed to being a part of our community. We want to know our neighbors and for them to know us. Handing out these lunches once a week is such a small way for us to stand together as a family and show Alton that we do care.
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