Since 2005 I have taught a course called Practical Projects in the Arts as part of the curriculum at the Institute for G.O.D. Int’l. The class enables students to learn a variety of skills related to sustainable building projects.  We have always hoped that one day the class would have a facility that would enable students to practice their practical building skills as they tackle some of the fundamental health and sanitary issues facing the developing world today. Since the beginning, we have set up shop, literally, in homes, a storage garage, under a pop up tent, in office buildings, but more often than not, out in the open air.

I am overjoyed at the opportunity we now have to work and learn skills out of a 30’ by 70’ workshop complete with classroom space. It is a basic shelter, but one which we intend to utilize to its fullest capacity in years to come. As a teacher, this allows me to instruct students safely and efficiently without spending valuable class time commuting off site, or setting up a tent. As one who helps maintain our facilities, I am confident that this shop will increase our productivity immensely as we work to improve our 60-year-old facility.

My hope is that we will never forget all the ways in which God has led us. The humble beginnings of our organization have taught us well, teaching us to be content whether we have plenty or are in need. I am incredibly grateful to have such a facility, and at the same time humbled by the responsibility we now carry to ensure that those with the most basic needs reap the benefits of its use.

On occasion we have found ourselves the subject of questions like: “Keeping this pace, won’t you burn out in a few years?” and “You know you can’t do everything, right?”  It is true that our work requires much sacrifice.  We are striving to accomplish a great deal with a small group of very committed people.  But, while we recognize that we have limitations, we strive to echo the apostle Paul in the knowledge that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.  We know that when we do the will of God, there is rest in that activity.   As we seek to be agents of the love of God to those we meet on a daily basis, we are ever conscious of our responsibility and desire to serve those who are in need.  And so we continue to invest ourselves in opportunities to serve those around us, within and around our immediate community.

Just such an opportunity arose this summer, when we were approved by the Metropolitan Government of Nashville to host a summer lunch program for children ages 18 and under.  These children come from low- income families in the three nearest surrounding public school districts.  They partake in provided school lunches during the year, however in the summer often do not have the means to consume healthy, balanced meals on a regular basis.  Our program provides these meals daily, in a picnic setting, providing local kids with a sandwich, two servings of fruits and vegetables and a milk. Beyond the tangible benefits, the children are given the daily opportunity to engage with their community, and we likewise experience the blessing of spending time with our neighbors.  We seek to know them and to show them who we are – a people striving toward holiness, a community characterized by love, grace, and truth.

We are in our third week of serving lunches to our community.  As the word gets out, the children trickle in, and every day we find ourselves with a few more kids headed our way come 11 o’clock a.m.  We sit with them as they eat, hear their stories and enjoy our time with them.  For those of us not traveling this summer, it is opportunities like these that remind us we are able to be an active people of God wherever we are.  While our friends and family are in India, Africa, the Philippines and Latin America, we will continue to work toward making the Word of God a living presence in our lives, having the same mindset as Jesus, the one who took the form of a servant. (Phil. 2:7)

Written by: Sara Davis