iServe – RiverTree

Galatians 6:9 Don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time. We avoid discouragement by keeping our eyes on the goal and reward of heaven.

Our purpose became evident as I explained to my first grade students on Monday morning why their elementary school was a little cleaner, a little cheerier, and their playground was filled with many new things to keep their expanding minds learning even at recess. I knew that countless lives had been touched as one of my students raised their hand after our discussion and said one simple statement, “Miss Hostetler, can you please tell your church thank you for me.” Many hands shot up following that one, all of them motioning the same response. “Please tell your friends at church ‘thank you’”. Their excited hearts bounced into line anxious to get through lunch and get outside to explore their new toys on the playground. I am a first grade teacher at Franklin Elementary School in Massillon. I also lead a THRIVE group on Monday nights at my house. I used to quietly respond that my group consists of 4 girls and that we are looking to expand. But after our iServe opportunity on Saturday September 22, 2007, I now know what the power of four with hearts working for Jesus can do. Of course working at an elementary school at an inner city school, after hearing our iServe charge, I quickly thought of my students. What can we do to touch the lives of these children who are in so many ways missing out on so much? So many ideas came to mind but also seemed so out of reach with a group of four. We flipped many ideas back and forth until we decided to overhaul the playground and what ended up being the entire environment at Franklin Elementary. We quickly started planning with anxious and joy-filled hearts ready to share the love of Jesus. We decided to purchase as many playground toys as we could. We started “dreaming” of collecting enough money to replace a broken basketball hoop on the playground. Before we knew if Jesus totally took over. I thought I had a plan, but God had a bigger one. We soon found another group that was still in search of a serving project. We asked them to join with us. One day, and a few phone calls later we had a group together that only God could have formed. The next few days everything just fell into place. People started going out into the community telling people about our project “The Church Has Left the Building”. Local businesses agreed to give us discounts. Talk of the project in many of our workplaces inspired many other hearts to join us in our serving journey. Saturday morning 37 people including many teens, children and families, joined together for 6 and a half hours. I saw it before and I saw it after. Franklin Elementary was truly transformed on Saturday. It wasn’t just the work that I saw take place on Saturday, it was the heart behind it that motivated them. When teenagers walk up to you on their own asking for things to do and asking what I needed help with. I had an adult that joined us that doesn’t attend RT. His family was there because they had heard about our project from a member of our group that his wife works with. This gentleman was so anxious to join in and be a part of this project. He turned around after being at the site for 10 minutes. He wanted to get his push mower and bring it back so he and his son could mow the entire school grounds. Serving is truly a ministry and a journey. It isn’t just the time that you put into the project, it is your heart. It is the things leading up to, and the things to follow the service. Saturday was truly amazing, People pulled together all for a common cause, to share and spread the love of Jesus to those who may not know him. Weeds were pulled, flowers planted, trash picked up, grass mowed, four square and hopscotch painted, a basketball hoop replaced, two tetherball games put up, stars were painted on the sidewalk entry to the school, the front door was decorated, torn mats under drinking fountains were replaced, the sidewalk, steps and parking lot was swept, and many other acts of service were performed that touched the lives of nearly 400 students and 30 staff members. I am so proud to be the leader of a group of four girls. Four girls that have a heart for Jesus and a desire to change the world. You don’t have to travel across the world to change or touch a life. There are people around us everyday that are dieing to know the love of Jesus. Don’t let them leave Earth without experiencing the love that we are lucky enough to already have! “I can do ANYTHING through Christ who strengthens me”. Go forth in love and don’t forget that God is your strength. He will use you if you only open your heart and mind. I am so happy that God has blessed me, so that I may be a blessing to others!