A few members of IMPACT’s Single’s Ministry (with a couple kids and dogs in-tow), went hiking on November 6th at Sky Meadow State Park in Delaplane, VA. Our hike lasted a couple hours, which gave us plenty of time to take in the beautiful weather and scenery God provided us and to spend time in fellowship with each other. I had never been to Delaplane before and I quickly discovered just how beautiful that particular area of Virginia really is. The openness and rolling hills of the countryside were really something to behold – I’d live there in a second if I could! The meandering trails were easy to traverse through; I’m looking forward to trying more difficult ones next spring. After the hike we stopped by a bakery/sandwich shop in Middleburg for a quick bite to eat before we headed home. It was a great day – good exercise, good fellowship, and good scenery from a great God! – Steve Paine
On Saturday November 20th, about 25 MBC volunteers comprised of the Singles Ministry and the 2010 Nicaragua missions team partnered together to share a thanksgiving meal with the residents of Madison House. There was lots of food, lots of fellowship and lots of new friendships being built. The amount of food that is supplied is overwhelming at times and there always seems to be bountiful leftovers that we encourage them to take back to their apartments with them. We really do want to thank everyone who contributed time, money, effort and fellowship.
It’s amazing that just after two visits, they remember our names, they notice ones who aren’t there and ask about them to see if everything is okay.
The residents there seem much more interested in the fellowship than the food, although they were very appreciative of that as well. You can see the desire for relationships each time we visit. They are excited to see the volunteers, they are anxious to talk and to share. The holiday seasons can be lonely for people and they commented about how everyone is anxious to come out during the holidays to visit but afterward, January and February become very lonely months so it is our goal to make sure that doesn’t happen.
We pray over the meal with them, we talk about the church and have even had a few inquire about times and location as they would like to “check out our service sometime”. Some have commented that they have heard Lon on the radio and are impressed with him.
What a blessing it has been and hopefully continues to be, not just for the residents but the volunteers as well. It’s easy to go out and prepare a meal but what really moves the spirit is community as our Father intended. He wants us to be His hands and feet but most of all His heart.
It is our hope and prayer that MBC Loudoun can forge a lasting relationship with Madison House and the residents there, not just over the holidays but throughout the year.
Our next outing will be on the weekend of Dec. 18th /19th. Our hope is to secure some musicians and go out and fellowship and sing Christmas carols with them. They LOVE music. So if you are gifted in music or just love to sing… we’d love to have you come out and join us as we attempt to love on others in Christ’s name. – Greg Lilly
This Thanksgiving, Lorie Irminger graciously opened her home to those in the Impact community who were staying in the area for the holiday.
About 15 people, including some of Lorie’s family, celebrated the day together over a delicious meal and among wonderful company. Lorie’s parents were visiting from Florida, in part to celebrate her engagement to Impact’s own devilishly handsome, angelically good Matt Lucas (for which the Impact community congratulates both most heartily). Our sincerest thanks go out to Lorie, Matt, and their family for treating us like family. – Kevin LeCureux