Working Yourself Out of Business

The First Presbyterian Church in Berryville is one of the four founding churches of the Loaves and Fishes Food Bank of the Ozarks in Berryville. The food bank distributes not only donated food, but also government commodities. They also provide a space for the Salvation Army and the State or Arkansas Office of Local Concerns. These folks provide money and services to help people over the bumps of life.

They offer classes to help people become self sufficient. They offer advice on budgets, job search, and resume writing just to name a few. They offer help with interview skills and other help for people to find jobs and better jobs. Loaves and Fishes is also the distribution point for First Presbyterian's school supply project which this year packed over $8,000.00 worth school supplies for 436 school kids grades K-8. Truly it has been my pleasure being associated with the food bank as Pastor of the Presbyterian Church.

And for the past six months as a client. In February, when we took a pay cut, we became eligible for their services.

Earlier this month, I have been called to serve the First Presbyterian Church in Marshall, Texas. With this change, We will be moving from the area and moving from needing the wonderfully gracious and generous services the food bank provides.

Today, a wonderful lady from one of the local churches who has heard of my new call came into the office and congratulated me. Then with joy in her voice she said, "So we won't see you anymore." After about a minute she said, "That came out all wrong."

I understand and I told her so. She is happy that I have received a new call. She is happy that I will not need the services she provides anymore. She is happy that prayers have been answered. I told her I knew what she meant and in the same vein we are joyful too.

This would be the greatest joy of all, that the good folks of Loaves and Fishes help people with enough food and services that they are able to find the work they need so that they no longer need the commodities. It would be the greatest joy of all that the good folks of Loaves and Fishes help people with enough job finding skills that they can move into doing more about job enhancement skills.

May they be blessed and may the people of Carroll County be so blessed that Loaves and Fishes works itself out of business, or at least into a new business. In a sin soaked world, that may not be possible, but wouldn't it be nice. Thanks to Loaves and Fishes and praise be to God.