GLORY - Pinelake Christmas Tour

Pinelake Worship Choir Tour Rocks into West Park

Where do I begin? Today’s experience was beyond my comprehension. I have lived in or near Jackson, Mississippi all my life, and I have never dared to go past a certain street or area of town that wasn’t developed and appeared to be safe. Today, I left my comfort zone and saw the hand of God touch many lives, mostly mine.

Let me make clear, I expected God to do great things, and to change me forever. Not only did He meet my expectations, but He went above and beyond. My day serving at Mission First started by knocking on doors throughout the area near the ministry campus, and handing out flyers for a carnival that my church put together for the community. In the beginning, no one answered their doors. Then, the group I was with, worked our way down a street where some houses were abandoned. At times I was amazed at the lifestyles of some of the folks that lived there.

Then out of the blue, we hit the jackpot. Children began peaking out the windows of their home curious to know what we were doing there. Slowly, they began cracking their doors just enough for us to hand them a flyer and tell them to come where there would be free food, games and a concert just for them. As we would leave each house, a roar of children’s voices could be heard in excitement for the event. As we finished up our effort to invite as many people as possible to come, we headed back to the carnival to prepare for a day of fun and activities for the children and the families in the community. They came in all shapes and sizes and races.

As we began to love on these people through all the fun and games, they began to warm up to us. One boy in particular, Andrew, put his arms around me like he had known me all of his life. He was so happy to be a part of something fun and accepting in abundance. To be able to offer something that cost me nothing, but that brings such delight to someone else was amazing! That’s how I see Jesus. He doesn’t cost anything to have because He already paid the price. And, to have Him in abundance and without strings attached is the greatest thing anyone could ever hope for. I do plan to go back and serve this organization because I believe in its purpose and its desire to provide hope for the community through Jesus Christ.

- Cora Beth Hartfield