If you are new around here you may not know but I love to give! I love to give gifts, I love to give monetary donations and I love to give my time! I’m a cheerful giver!
So let’s elaborate a little bit. Let’s begin with the easiest one, gifts! I love to give gifts on holidays, birthdays and even just because. I have always been this way, it’s just who I am. I put time and much thought into each and every one of my gifts. I love making someone’s day a little bit brighter. I have shared many simple, but thoughtful gifts on a few posts here on the blog.
Now let’s get to my other gifts of generosity. Again, if you are new around here, then let me share with, I am a faithful Christian. I follow God’s word and try and live each and every day to His word. This is where I get my generous heart.
In the past few years, I have fallen in love with two amazing nonprofits. I want to share both of them here with you today.
Red Bird Mission Work Camp
This first one goes a bit along with volunteering my time. About 7 years ago, our current pastors, who are now friends of ours, introduced us to this non-profit mission camp. They were planning for the upcoming summer to take an inter-generational team to the work camp. At the time I was worried because our youngest was only going to be three. We decided to sign up anyways and our family of five joined 35 other church members that summer.
This summer will be our 7th trip to the Appalachian mountains of Kentucky to serve as missionaries for a week at Red Bird mission work camp. In the past seven years, I have watched my kids become such faithful servers of God. I have watched myself grow closer to God while serving the people and area of Beverly, Kentucky.
Each summer I share moments on our social media. This past summer I spent a week in July, a few weeks before our trip, to share how each one of us has grown over the years while serving as missionaries.
I get asked a lot by many, why do you pay so much and spend so much time fundraising, to then go and spend your time serving at the work camp. I will tell you why. Scripture says,
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commended you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Matthew 28:19-20
How serving has changed our lives
Over the years I have found such a change in myself and my family. I feel closer to God, not just while I am in the gorgeous mountains but all the time. I feel the Holy Spirit work through me and my life, during my time of service and since. But most of all, I am serving the Lord through, as He tells us in the Bible.
I am teaching my kids how to serve others through their lives and their own hands. They have grown faithfully through their service. But I have also watched them continue to serve in other areas of their lives. I have watched them worry about others, serving those always needed more then we do.
At a time in our lives where we live, unable to always be able to financially give where we want, being able to serve with our own two hands in the best option.
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
1 Peter 4:10
Hidden Springs Mission
Hidden Springs is a nonprofit mission that I have watched grow from its conception. I personally know the amazing couple and their 4 girls who began this nonprofit. And I have to be honest, my life is so much better with them in it!
Hidden Spring is a Christian based nonprofit that serves the Navajo people of Arizona. Offering Vacation Bible School in the summer months, youth events throughout the year, church services and community events.
My friends picked up their lives from Virginia and moved across the country because they were led by God to do so. It’s one of the reasons why I support this amazing nonprofit. Their founders are walking disciples of God, ones who live out His message each and every day! I like to believe that my faith is strong, but I know if God told me to do this I would drag my feet and ignore Him as long as I can!
God asks us to step out of our comfort zones daily. And when we listen to His is when we grow the most. My friends have done just this. I admire and look up to them each and every day.
I would love for you to join me in supporting this amazing nonprofit. I am currently working with them to fund a new commercial-size playground for the reservation. If you would like to give, any amount (no amount is too small), please donate here (leave my name, Kerry Blazek, in the notes section).
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under complusion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7
Giving of what is yours can change your life
It’s often hard for anyone, Christian or not, to give. We tend to feel like we work hard for our money, and selfishly want to keep it for ourselves. My belief is that God is the one who gave me my talents, my intelligence and my ability to get up each and every day. Because of Him I have everything that I do. Therefore, it is not mine to keep but to share with others in need.
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the meausre you use, it will be measured to you.
Luke 6:381
Whether through volunteer time at a local charity or your church, or giving of your money to a nonprofit you have grown to love, be cheerful in doing so. Make sure you are doing so out of love, not for outward praise.
Find a nonprofit or mission you connect with. One you believe int heir mission and their work. Give when you can, share their good news with others and support them through prayer. Serving the Lord through serving others will grow your faith and your life, tenfold.
If you are ready to see how God can work through you, give of your heart. Whether it’s time or monetary donations, being a generous giver will change your life!
