Building Bridges Instead of Walls

by Karsten Voskuil

Pastor, Bethlehem Lutheran Church

A huge thanks to all involved with last Saturday’s (Feb. 14) Grand Rapids Neighbors for Neighbors distribution in our church garage. Sharing a little more dignity, humanity, and mutuality are huge reasons these distributions are so wonderful.

So many stories from Saturday like a woman bringing her sewing machine to mend well-worn clothing. Someone showing up with 50 cheeseburgers from McDonalds to share with our neighbors. Smiles and laughter at the tables where people experienced a respite from the frenetic pace of the street and housing shelters.

It is a gift to build a healthier, more just, and kinder neighborhood through partnerships where people come first. Thanks to N4N for the continued vision for helping everyone experience dignity and kindness wherever we all might be on life's journey. Our involvement in that work has allowed for so many new relationships and opportunities to love and care for our neighbors (and for our neighbors to love and care for us). Building bridges instead of walls starts with the people God brings into our lives each and every day.

A little bit of love and generosity begets more love and generosity. Clothing, blankets, chili, turkey and cheese sandwiches, new tee-shirts, warm socks, hand lotion, razors, soap, hand warmers, coats, coffee and so much more shared this week in this 90-minutes of compassion.

Join us for the next distribution on Saturday, March 14 at 11:30 a.m. (second Saturday of each month in our church garage).